| | |  Infant Toys Guide
What toys will benefit my 0 to 3 month old?1 Month Skills:
Movement - Can raise her head only a couple of inches when lying facedown. Kicks her arms & legs in the air. Tries to turn on side when laying on her back.
Hand-Eye Coordination - Stares at objects about 8-10 inches from her face. Will follow objects that are moved a few inches from side to side. Moves her hands without control but can mover her fist to her mouth. Grasp reflex is strong when something is placed in her palm.
Language - Uses a range of cries to which parents can begin to distinguish between cries of hunger, boredom, tiredness, discomfort. Conveys mood by agitated arm and leg movements as well as facial expressions. Makes sounds when she is happy. Responds positively to soothing words.
Learning - Loves to look at her surroundings. Will stare for longer at blue and green objects than red ones. Is fascinated by objects placed nearby. Will remember an object that reappears within a few seconds of moving. Begins to recognize your voice as distinct from others. Is alert for about one in every ten hours.
Social and Emotional - Enjoys cuddling and being smiled at. Responds positively when you talk and sing to her. Makes eye contact. Is able to relax at bath time, kicking and splashing in the water.
2 Month Skills:
Movement - Limited control over arms and legs. Holds a small object for a few moments. Holds her head off the mattress for a couple of seconds. Neck control increases and is beginning to support the weight of her head when she is carried.
Hand-Eye Coordination - Hand control begins; her hands are mostly open with fingers becoming more flexible. Peers with interest at her finters. The grasp reflex fades. Will close her fingers around a small object placed in her palm and move the object toward her face. Tries but cannot reach accurately for a small toy.
Language - Makes a cooing, repetitive vowel sound when relaxed. Uses a couple of identifiable but meaningless sounds. Becomes quiet when she is lifted up. Moves her eyes to look for the source of noise. Watches the gestures and body language of those talking to her. Is encouraged to repeat sounds when people smile and talk back to her.
Learning - Can control vision more accurately and peers at an object moved in a pattern in front of her. Likes listening to music and is comforted by background sounds such as the washing machine or car engine. Becomes excited in anticipation, for example when she sees the bath. Begins to coordinate her senses by looking toward sounds. Clearly distinguishes between people, voices, tastes.
Social and Emotional - Has shown you her first smile and is likely to smile if you beam at her. Enjoys attention from you and others. Stays awake for longer if people interact with her. Begins to amuse herself when left alone by looking around, tracking and batting at objects. Feeding becomes a social experience: she looks at you while you feed and talk to her.
3 Month Skills:
Movement - Improved head control means she can hold her head off the mattress for longer whether lying on her tummy or back. Enjoys being held upright, and head and neck movements become more varied. Leg movements become quite vigorous when kicking. Better at moving her body around her crib.
Hand-Eye Coordination - Watches an object as it moves around the room. Stretches out her hand toward an object close to her. Grabs a toy when places in her hand. Thrusts her hands toward source of food. Will stare at pictures in books and try to touch them. Peers at objects and tries to put them in her mouth to explore their properties.
Language - More attentive to distinctive sounds she hears. Listening skills have improved and she becomes quiet when she hears a small noise. Enjoys hearing you sing to her. Gurgles and coos in response to sounds; will gurgle to herself for several minutes. Makes at least two distinct sounds such as "oooh" and "aaah."
Learning - Sees a link between her hand movement and the toy's reaction; a toy might rattle when she moves it. Improved memory allows her to anticipate events such as feeding, and reappearance of a person playing peek-a-boo. Recognizes familiar music. Will imitate actions such as opening and closing her mouth, sticking out her tongue. Fascinated by her hands, which she fans in front of her face. Begins to differentiate family members by sight and the sounds of their voice. Can tell the difference between a woman's face and a man's face.
Social and Emotional - More responsive to any adult who shows interest in her. Thrives on attention, even tries to attract attention when a parent is near her. Has a broad range of facial expressions to express her moods. Smiles a lot more readily and her crying decreases.
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