Shape sorters are fantastic early learning toys. But giving them to your child too early may cause more harm than good. For one, they are made from hard materials like plastic and wood.
Babies have poor muscle control and could potentially fall down and land into hard toy pieces. So what’s the best age for your child to start playing with shape sorters?
Many experts agree that 2 years old is the best age to teach your child shape recognition. However, you can let your child play with a shape sorter as early as 1 year old. At first, you would need to assist her in fitting the pieces into the right holes.
At 18 months, your child begins to fit shapes into the sorter unassisted. And at age 3 onwards, you can time how fast your child can fit the shapes into the sorter. You can set a goal with each attempt to make it more fun.
Shape sorters including shape sorters included in an activity cube help your child to develop a wide range of skills. It helps children develop dexterity and hand-eye coordination when they pick up and manipulate the shape pieces. Playing with shape sorters also involves problem-solving, memory and cause-effect relationships.
Age-appropriate Toys
Children learn through play and playing the same games over and again. Toys should be fun. But they should also be safe, age-appropriate and stimulating.
Choosing age-appropriate toys maximises their educational value. Simple toys are better than more complex ones. For instance, a rag doll encourages imaginative play than a doll that talks.
Wooden Toys
Wooden toys should also be at the top of your list. They are made from sustainable materials. Unlike toys made from plastic, wooden toys are safer and better for the environment.
Plastic is non-biodegradable and often contains harmful chemicals. These chemicals are carcinogenic and linked to a wide rage of disabilities and health problems.
In terms of appearance, most plastic toys look cheap. Wooden toys, on the other hand, are more classy and passed on from one generation to the next.
Our Top Picks
One of our best selling toys is Bigjigs Shape Sorting Cube. It comes in a simple cube with holes and corresponding shape pieces. It’s a perfect first toy for you baby.
It has fantastic developmental value and offers hours of fun. It’s made from responsibly sourced wood and finished with water-based paint. You will have a piece of mind knowing that BigJigs toys conform to European and international safety standards.
Another amazing toy from BigJigs is their First Shapes Sorter. It’s simpler than their sorting cube. It comes in a form of a tray and a set of 9 different shape pieces. It’s a wonderful early learning tool in teaching your child her first shapes and colours.
Lastly, if you’re looking for something more complex, we have Tender Leaf Toys Noah’s Shape Sorter Ark. It’s a premium shape sorter that encourages imaginative play and improves visual discrimination. It’s made from highly renewable rubber tree wood and painted with chemical-free dye.
Safety First
Safety should always come first. Before buying any toy, make sure to read its label and warnings. Shape sorters have detachable pieces which can be a choking hazard. Be careful about creating a tripping hazard with strewn toy pieces on the floor.
