Although playing games is often defined as just entertainment, it actually has a very important role in the development of our child. In addition to their motor development, it also positively affects his/her mental, emotional, and social aspects. Choosing the right toys for him/her is just as important...
Pointing out that games and toys are very important for the emotional-cognitive development of babies and children, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital  Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan Zahmacıoğlu emphasizes that toys that give pleasure to the baby and the child, relieve their anxiety, and help them develop their imaginations between the ages of 3-6, should be preferred rather than toys that develop intelligence and attention.

What is the Importance of Toys for the Development of Babies?

Stating that toys are very important for us because they reflect the child's real-life object choices, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan Zahmacıoğlu said, “For this reason, each age's toy selection and orientation is different. When we observe children, we can take notice of the things that they hold in their hands and that they are interested in. The main importance of the toy is that it acts as an interface in our relationship with life. For example, a small child may change the place of a fixed object, such as a doll or a car, when his/her mother is in another room or not at home. Toys also help the child practice building relationships. Toy exchanges and sometimes even fights between children are like rehearsals for everything that can happen in real life.”

What Features Should Be Considered When Choosing Toys for Babies?

Today, parents are faced with a lot of variety at the point of toys. Products such as intelligence-enhancing toys and sets are available in toy stores. There may be good products among them, but there is no need for such a wide variety of toys to develop intelligence. It is a situation that occurs as a result of the encouragement of the consumption culture. Classic, simple toys also have the function of improving intelligence. Especially educated, working families are more sensitive about this issue, they are more inclined to buy toys that are claimed to develop intelligence in order to do something for their children, not to "miss" things. Manufacturers also exploit this sensitivity of parents. The main criteria when choosing toys should be suitability for the child's current age and whatever objects they are interested in. This will be better understood when we look at these age groups.

Play Games with Your Children

It is very beneficial and important for the emotional and cognitive development of the baby that the baby rolls on the carpet with his/her parents, plays a game even with a pen and paper, draws something, and spends time together. For this, there is no need to use specially designed, expensive intelligence or attention-enhancing toys and products. Stating that he is distant from such toys as a physician, Yeditepe University Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan Zahmacıoğlu said, “When it comes to games and toys that develop attention or intelligence, pleasure, which is the main function of the game for the child, is ignored. Especially in the pre-school period, games that develop the imagination of children at the age of 0-6 should be played. After school starts, children will be exposed to these intelligence and attention development games.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan Zahmacıoğlu stated that the ages of 3-6 are considered the ages of play in psychiatry books, and said, “The child becomes more involved in games and toys between the ages of 3-6. However, this period is wasted in kindergartens for children to learn colors, numbers, and letters. I see this as adult meddling and something negative for child development. I believe we need to rethink this issue as well.”

Month By Month Toy Choice...

• 0 - 3 Months

Since 0-3 months is the prelingual period, rattles that make more rhythmic sounds, colorful mobiles that move rhythmically, and plush toys are sufficient.

• 3 - 6 Months 

Between 3-6 months, things get more sophisticated. They enter the period we call object constancy-continuity. The 0–12-month period is also called the "oral period". Although this period is the period of breastfeeding, it is the period when they perceive everything by mouth. The mouth acts not only as an eating area but also as a station where they establish all their life-related relationships. They try to feel the intensity of all objects by bringing them to their mouths and touching them with their tongues and lips. They also smell that object. For this reason, toys that do not contain harmful dyes, which are not too small against the danger of swallowing, should be preferred. Another basic function of toys is relieving anxiety and giving pleasure. Toys that can fulfill these functions should be selected.

• 6 - 12 Months

Language development takes place as the child grows. During this period, language is also included in the games. Children and babies in this period begin to talk and make sounds with toys in their own way. This period is also an enormous field of observation for us. The period in question is the period when the child develops language skills and makes imitations. The imitating child has a normal intelligence level for us psychiatrists. For this reason, toys and books that make sounds, play music or talk can be preferred.