Design an environment rich in visuals for infants. Newborns' eyesight benefits from contrasting colors and hues. Black and white toys stimulate the infant's vision. Brightly colored soft animal toys designed for infants will hold their attention. Select animal toys with happy expressions and sewn eyes, nose and mouth rather than buttons. Infants love to look at faces, and these toys help develop an infant's vision.
Begin with stuffed musical animals designed for infants. Wind these animals up or press a button under the fabric for soft music featuring well-known songs such as "Old MacDonald" or "Sing a Song of Sixpence." These toys engage infant ears, providing a base for learning songs and language. Stuffed toy animals can provide animal sounds, with a cat meowing or a cow mooing. Entertain and build learning by experiencing the animal sounds with the infant. Sing along with the toys. Meow or moo along with the toys.
Infants benefit from touching and grasping soft toys. Help infants learn from tactile toys by participating in their play and observations. Purchase tactile age-appropriate toys designed for infants. For toys such as balls, look for strongly-sewn seams on non-toxic materials. Ensure that bells or sound makers are sewn up inside the toy, not outside. For infant gyms and activity centers, watch the infant and and share the playtime. Never leave infants alone with tactile toys, however safe they may seem.
Infants learn to put their toys in their mouths. Ensure the infant's safety by purchasing toys that follow safety guidelines. Use infant books made of non-toxic materials such as cloth or thick cardboard. Select brightly colored pacifiers and chew rings of non-toxic materials. Look for teething toys made of "green" materials that are non-toxic for the infant and the environment. Watch the infant and help with attempts to hold or play with the chewable toy. The infant will appreciate your attention. Never leave an infant alone with a chewable toy and be sure to follow safety directions from the manufacturer.