Educational Toys for Children Under 2

Sorting Toys

• Sorting toys are a good choice for babies that are learning about shapes through touch rather than appearance. Learning for babies under the age of 2 is highly sensory, so the more hands-on material they are given, the better they will learn. Look for toys that have separate slots for different-shaped objects to learn about basic shapes. Pegs with shapes that have numbered holes in them can start the child learning how to count. Look for sorting mats made up of different colors so children can place everyday objects on the coordinating color.
  
  

Matching Toys

• Matching games successfully teach children under 2 about the relationship between items and looking for similarities. You can play with a simple deck of flash cards with recognizable pictures or purchase a matching game where you lay all of the tiles out and your child can match the colors, shapes and objects together. Not only is it a great teaching opportunity, but it helps your child's confidence to grow, as she gets immediate gratification from matching the correct objects together. It is also a way to play with your child, and you can be a catalyst for her learning.
  
  

Musical Toys

• Teach your child about the different sounds that different objects can make by looking for musical toys that promote learning through sound. A baby under 2 will want to explore and use toys, and while doing so with a musical toy, he can learn about cause and effect: if I hit this, it will make this noise. A small toy piano, or a toy that has buttons with different animal sounds are good toy choices for a child under 2. He'll be able to push the buttons on his own and listen to the different sounds. Who knows---you might even spur on a tiny Beethoven.