At the toddler stage, kids are starting to figure out how things work and how they fit together. Some toys from last year might still capture their attention, but many will no longer satisfy their growing curiosity. For instance, building blocks are something that your child will never outgrow; they will simply change how they play with them. Once your toddler begins to explore how different things work and fit together, you want to start looking for toddler learning toys near Park Street in Rockville.
Toddlers start to pick up on role play when they are between two and three years old. Role play with toddlers is pretty basic; they simply mimic what they see their caregivers doing. For instance, they snuggle a baby doll before tucking her into bed at night or make “choo choo” sounds while pushing a toy train along.
Your little one will start to recognize different colors and shapes, too! Choose bright, engaging toys that are easy for small hands to grip and explore. By age 2, many toddlers can kick things, scribble with crayons, and build towers that are four or more blocks tall. At the age of 3, kids can enjoy simple puzzles and ride a tricycle!
Repetition is key at this stage, helping toddlers master new skills and understand their influence on the world around them.
Balls, whether bounced, rolled, caught, or thrown, are great for helping develop gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity. Shape-sorting toys are not only fun but also are crucial for your toddler’s development. Pegboard puzzles, nesting cups or blocks, and buckets with holes for various-shaped blocks are great for enhancing hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.
Mechanical toys grab a toddler’s attention, so they should be ranked high on the list of best educational toys for toddlers in Rockville, MD. Pop-up toys and busy boxes featuring knobs, buttons, and levers build fine motor and problem-solving skills. These styles of educational toys also teach toddlers about cause and effect.
While you might think of them as educational toys, toys used for pretend play are a must-have. And with toys used for imaginative play, the more choices kids have, the better. The possibilities are endless when kids are engaged in free play, as they can let their imaginations run wild! Play kitchens, doctor’s kits, and golf sets allow children to explore and understand the world around them by mimicking the actions of you and other important adults. Dolls and stuffed animals inspire imaginative play of all kinds. For example, a delightful tea party with teddy bears, a child’s first visit to a zoo, and so much more. Imaginative play also supports social and emotional growth by helping little ones learn to express their feelings and care for something special to them.
Your 2-year-old is full of energy, so you want toys to keep them physically active and help burn off some of that energy. Push bikes, sandbox toys, balls, water tables, and other outdoor toys are among the best toddler toys. Your toddler will keep busy with these toys, but they are also good for them because they teach them many useful things.
Yes, your toddler needs toys that keep them physically active, but they also need toys for indoor play. Toddlers enjoy taking things apart, putting them back together, pulling things out, putting them in, adding on, and building up. When you’re out shopping for educational toys, the best ones for your toddler are ones that can be used for different kinds of play. So, your kids can enjoy a range of games and let their imaginations run wild. Wooden blocks or large plastic interlocking blocks can be used to create a road, a zoo, a bridge, or even a spaceship! Your toddler’s toys help develop problem-solving skills, but more importantly they spark your child’s imagination.
When trying to decide on the best educational toys for toddlers in Rockville, MD, your best bet is to think about the type of toys they have at daycare. Toddlers participate in free and structured play in a child-focused center like MCCA Park Street. Whether inside or outside, play-based learning centers like MCCA Park Street use the best educational toys for all their daily activities. As the caregivers are trained in early childhood education, they are a great source to use when deciding what toys your toddler should have.
When your baby becomes a toddler, they learn how to solve problems, retain information, and focus their attention. When choosing educational toys for brain development, puzzles and memory games are excellent options for toddlers. Many parents fail to realize just how educational LEGO and other blocks can be, as they help young children with spatial awareness. Building toys inspire creativity in toddlers, as they use them to create all sorts of structures and designs.
Shape sorter toys are another must have if you are looking for toys to help with brain development. With a shape sorting toy, toddlers begin to recognize different shapes, as they sort them into places they fit. These toys improve spatial awareness, but they are more about problem-solving. If the shape doesn’t fit in a specific hole, toddlers have to figure out why it doesn’t fit and where it actually belongs.
As your little one grows and improves their fine and gross motor skills, figuring things out, and understanding cause-and-effect, it’s important that their toys keep up with their development, too! The trouble is that most parents don’t know where to buy educational toys near MCCA Park Street.
Sure, you can easily hop online and do a quick internet search for the best educational toys for toddlers, but there are better ways. Visiting a local toy store allows you to physically explore and assess the quality and craftsmanship of educational toys. More importantly, local toy stores have friendly employees who are ready to help you find the best educational toys for toddlers in Rockville, MD.
Choosing the best educational toys helps boost cognitive development in toddlers. As parents, you naturally want the best for your toddler—top-quality toys, education, and experiences. What you might not realize is that educational toys are one of the best ways for your toddler to learn, as children learn best through play. This is why places like the Park Street MCCA in Rockville, MD offer play-based learning programs.
When toddlers play with educational toys, they not only build important skills but also have a great time exploring and being creative. In the end, the most wonderful developmental toys are those that blend fun and learning, supporting toddlers in reaching their full potential.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.
