There are many occasions when we would like to give gifts to our children... but what kind of gift is best?
Generally speaking, we advise you to avoid toys with too many sounds, lights and colours, but rather to prefer toys in natural materials and neutral colours in which the child is the undisputed star of the action.
Always keep in mind that the gift should be interesting and respond to the needs of the receiver (and not the preferences of the giver).
Let us try to give you some suggestions:
0-6 months:
- small soft toys;
- soft and tactile toys;
- clothing (to be agreed with parents, to avoid unnecessary duplication) and one size larger (to be used for longer);
- books or black-and-white cards;
- teething/sucking toys;
- mirrors (to stimulate the child's sight and sense of recognition);
- sensory toys (different materials in the same toy to chew, touch...)
- gymnasium for learning to roll over and lie down (great for strengthening the neck);
- wooden games (e.g. interlocking discs);
- small sound games that produce light, almost muffled sounds
6/9 months:
- soft constructions or cubes for building towers (with pieces big enough not to be a choking hazard);
- books of various consistencies, shapes, weights and sizes (so you will be spoilt for choice);
- real musical instruments (tambourine, maracas...);
- interlocking montessori games [video “Giochi Montessoriani fatti in casa” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KbEY2SwX7g and “Tutorial barattolo dell’infilo” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr-Fy0iTefI]
10/14 months:
- large rigid constructions (and as the child grows the size of the toy may decrease);
- non-cardboard books;
- tunnels (in which babies can walk);
- dolls (with accessories e.g.: medicine (using fake jars), spoons...);
- temperas, colours…
- sensory games with different materials
- stacking games
14/16 months:
- tricycles and small bicycles (the important thing is that we are suitable for their height and particularly stable and safe);
- balls to catch or kick;
- magnetic blackboards;
- indoor slide (with 2 steps);
- kitchen (or part of it, even some elements, e.g.: pots, coffee pot...)
16/18 months:
- the kitchen game (with all possible accessories), in which pretending to cook becomes a centre of interest for children (again, we recommend natural elements and soft colours);
- themed constructions (e.g. farm, safari...)
- puzzles and interlocking games, gradually increasing the degree of difficulty;
- bicycle without pedals but to be pushed with the feet;
- first dolls and prams
20/24 months:
- manipulation games with salt dough, bread dough or modelling dough;
- model animals (individual or group-family) or even smaller stuffed animals (that are certified and of good quality) can be used to sing or tell stories, but also to build a small landscape, perhaps combining them with wooden constructions;
- small machines or tractors that children can get into
24/36 months;
- toys that facilitate 'pretending' are very popular: dolls with their clothes
- necklaces and bracelets;
- clothes for dressing up, with the addition of accessories and hats;
- scooters;
- trampolines;
- small swings to start using independently;
- real accessories to help in the kitchen or garden
To get ideas, you can observe your child while he plays with other children's toys and find out what catches his attention and what he does not consider at all.
Our suggestions are simple, which you as parents can adapt according to the interests expressed by your child.
We would, however, like to make a somewhat general point: think of presents that can be used independently by the children ... but it will be very nice (for you and for them) that you can carve out moments to play together!
And don't forget our friends the books! Always good!