Play is the way children learn. Children with access to a wide range of well selected toys are more likely to be challenged and stimulated. Studies find that they reach higher levels of intellectual development regardless of their sex, race or social class.

Toys that stimulate mental development are appropriate for the child's abilities, responses to the child's movements and provide feedback when manipulated. Whether playing alone or with others, quietly or with enthusiasm, play is the way children explore their world and create imaginary ones.

Even in reaching for a toy your baby develops early hand/eye coordination, strength balance and agility. Activity centres, block letter, shape sorters and games will help your child learn new skills. Toys and games that are used with playmates encourage sharing, cooperation and communication. Blocks and models will foster spatial play,whilst jigsaws, dominoes, puzzles and board games are for logical play. Balls and push/pull toys are used in physical play, and verbal paly accompanies books and word games.

Children use dolls, action figures, costumes and puppets for imaginary play. Research shows that through play children learn how to plan and solve problems. Play encourages them to develop language and communication skills and to use imagination and creativity.

Playfull children are happier, better adjusted, more cooperative, and more popular with their peers than those who play less. Children play longer when a wide variety of toys is available. It is not necessarily the most expensive toys that provide the greatest stimulation and enjoyment. It is better to have four or five different toys than one very expensive one. Ages and Stages of Play