Babies start to interact with age-appropriate toys from a young age, but it's not until after 6 months that they begin to play with them in the conventional sense. At this stage, they will grab the toys that interest them and put them in their mouths. For the first two months of life, babies don't need or want toys. Most babies don't even discover their own hands until around two months of age.
By the end of the third month, babies will start to show their personality through facial expressions, vocalizations and gestures. At this point, parents should provide sounds and images that facilitate learning and comfort for their baby. The types of toys your baby is likely to enjoy playing with at this stage will be those that you can easily see or those that make noise. Babies won't start playing favorites with toys until around 5 to 7 months of age, when they start to develop attachments and enter the object's permanence stage.
It's important for babies to play with their toys every day to learn to fully interact with the world around them. For babies 0-3 months old, focus on super-simple toys that make noise or play music so they can start tracking sounds. At five inches in diameter, a ball is perfect for babies three months and older to practice their fine and gross motor skills while grasping and rolling. For babies between two and six months old, toys that can be grasped will help them develop gross motor skills.
Toys should also be safe, as babies are likely to put them in their mouths.Mia Rosenberg, a psychotherapist and owner of Upsider Therapy, tells Romper that babies will likely begin to show interest in toys within the first few months of their lives. Parents should ensure their baby has taken a nap and is well fed before playing with toys so they are in a happy state.
