Second Year Toy Review, Part I

Cons:  Despite that I want to trust Melissa & Doug as a brand, my   really big issue with them is that their stuff is manufactured in China.  Nothing against the Chinese, but they really do not hold their manufacturers to high enough standards, so I put the age here at 18 months+ because "just in case" I'd rather not have recommended to you a toy that may contain toxic chemicals if your child is still at an age where everything goes in the mouth.  (After initially writing this section, I discovered this statement on the Melissa & Doug website regarding the safety of their products.)

Knowing that children are really interested in mobility during the second year, it makes sense that some of their favorite things after turning a year old are things that involve using their newfound ability to get around.  Toddlers are also increasingly fond of doing whatever it is they see older people doing.  Eating big-people food and manually manipulating objects (i.e. using fine motor skills) are two of the biggest things they see us do.  Below are some toys that can help encourage the new toddler in developing these skills.


Lever Box

Price:  Less than $20
Size:  Medium
Age:  9 months+
Durability:  High

This particular version is made by Playskool.  It comes in all different colors depending on where you buy it:  ours is purple.

Pros:  Teaches children how to manipulate various common levers:  turning dials, flipping switches, rocking switches, pushing buttons (though many kids seem born knowing how to push buttons), and sliding switches.  When the child successfully manipulates the lever, a surprise springs up.  The child learns cause and effect this way, and also learns a very basic understanding of having to reset the game by closing the compartment for the surprise (usually an animal figurine).  Makes your child giggle with delight when she is successful.

Cons:  Your child may become a little too adept at things like unlocking the deadbolt or doorknob on your front door, turning off switches on power surge strips, or reprogramming your electronics.  Yet another plastic toy, but it's a very durable one that can handle a fair bit of smacking about.

Educational Value:  Great for developing fine motor skills.  Helps demonstrate cause and effect in a more real and mechanical sense (as compared to electronic toys).


Play Tunnels

Price:  Varies $20 - $40
Size:  Large
Age:  Crawling+ (Manufacturer recommends 3yrs+)
Durability:  Medium

Pros:  Can be used indoors and outdoors.  Helps promote active play.  Flexible and easily positionable.  Stores easily in smaller form.

Cons:  Spring form can lose shape if used too roughly.  In less-rugged brands, metal ends of spring can break through fabric and pose a scratching risk.  (I recommend the brand I have pictured and linked to, as it has held up well despite rough use by older children, though the coils are not fully round.)

Educational Value:  Promotes gross motor skills.  Helps child learn to recognize perspective variances, e.g. Mommy can't see me, but I can see her!


Pretend Food:  Fruits and Veggies (Melissa & Doug)

  

Price:  $20/set

Size:  Medium (set)

Age:  18 months+

Durability:  High

Pros:  Familiarizes kids with foods.  They can play with the fake stuff rather than the stuff you want them to eat.  The Melissa and Doug brand foods are much more durable than most pretend foods and look more realistic in size.  They also feel very similar in texture to the foods they copy.  All pieces are large enough not to be choking hazards.


Educational Value:  Great for initiating pretend play in a way your child can understand.  She can cook for you, feed you, show you how she likes to eat her corn, and clean up afterward.  Helps develop imagination while subtly promoting healthy food choices!


Knob Puzzles

Price:  $10

Size:  Medium

Age:  12 months+

Durability:  Very High

Pros:  This particular puzzle pictured (by Melissa & Doug) is one that I have.  I have seen this same puzzle in the house of every other toddler my son's age.  It's that great a puzzle.  It's made of hard wood, it only has 5 pieces.  The backgrounds behind each piece exactly match the piece.  Each piece can be fitted into its proper spot in more than one orientation, so the child feels more success.  Big wooden knobs on top help the child to control the piece.

Cons:  Not easily stored.  There are puzzle storage racks available, but many already come with puzzles of their own or do not accommodate so large a puzzle, particular with the knobs on top.  The pieces are also rather painful when your child throws them at you.

Educational Value:  Develops fine motor skills.  Helps children learn to sort by shapes and colors.  Promotes focus and concentration on a task.