STEM toys for babies — what are they and how can you choose the best one?
Science, technology, engineering and maths — STEM for short. Is that too much for a baby? Not at all! Every STEM toy is designed to teach useful activities or pass on knowledge almost without us noticing, through enjoyable play. So how do you choose the right toy of this kind for a little one?
An important feature of STEM toys is their simplicity. It encourages independent thinking, creativity and exploration of what the toy can do. That may sound funny, or even impossible, when it comes to toys for babies. But it is not. Even a tower of rings in different sizes and colours encourages an understanding of gravity, colour recognition and the ability to sort from smallest to largest. Children learn through play, and if the individual rings also have different textures, chewing on the pieces helps them develop creativity.
Parents sometimes say that their child has a favourite ring and likes the taste of, say, the blue one best. Why does this happen? Because STEM toy manufacturers have made sure that children can explore the individual parts by biting them. For example, the black-and-white ring has a more interesting texture than the green one, while the blue one feels good on their gums. This kind of ‘code’ within a toy often contains knowledge about the practical use of colours in the future.
Activity cubes and shape sorters
When we look at toys like these from an adult’s perspective, we often wonder: how is this supposed to help my child’s development? But we need to remember that little ones see the world very differently. For them, the crinkly texture of a soft activity cube designed for babies is far more appealing than we might think.
And if the cube also works as a shape sorter that makes a sound when objects are put inside, it stimulates the child’s senses, from sight and hearing to touch. Another benefit is learning to solve problems, which the child takes in while placing shapes in the sorter. You do not need to worry if your little one takes a long time to match the right shape to the opening: well-designed STEM toys for babies teach the process itself without making it unnecessarily difficult at this early stage.
A wise choice is half the battle
It is worth looking carefully at what manufacturers offer and understanding the purpose of the STEM toy you intend to buy. Make sure it is safe, with large pieces and a soft structure; simple, so the child learns through straightforward actions; and appealing. A STEM toy is not one that plays the same song for half an hour after a button is pressed. It is a toy that offers an accessible way to learn useful skills.