Best Toys For 18 Month Old Kids

If you've been thinking about the best toys for 18 month old kids remember children are absolute sponges when it comes to learning. When you think about all of the major milestones they learn in their first two years of life it really is amazing. Toys are an integral part of that learning process and foster development in your child. The right toys at the right time will bring a lot of joy.

18 month old children are really at a very unique age. They are still babies in many senses of the word but they are also beginning to exhibit some very independent behavior. By this age there are certain things you can use as a base to see that a child is developing normally, or identify when they may not be and seek professional advice.

What they can and can't do with simple toys and objects is a great indicator for parents and care givers. We may not have a handbook on parenting but there are a solid set of measures used to see your 18 month old has normal development.

Types of Development

Children develop in a few ways as they grow. Here are the major areas:

* Social Skills- how they might act socially and interact with people around them. This can be family, friends, other children, child care providers, and strangers. How they understand and respond to the emotions of others is another important social skill.

* Gross Motor Skills- Take in the major muscle groups that are used to walk, run, sit, stand etc. All of these things they will learn by the age of 18 months. There's also keeping balance, climbing and moving from one position to another.

* Fine Motor Skills - These include the smaller movement and many hand-eye coordination activities. Using the hands to eat, writing, drawing, get dressed, catch a ball etc.

* Cognitive Skills - This encompasses the brain activities of thinking, memory, problem solving, and reasoning (if you leave the room you are still there and will be back, for example). You could say that all developmental skills rely on the cognitive.

* Language Skills - This area includes not only speech but the body language and gestures in communication with others. It is clear that babies understand a lot more than they can speak to us about and they have many ways of letting us know there needs without speech.

What Should An 18 Month Old Be Capable Of?

Remember that all children can learn differently and thrive in some areas. But there are some ways to ascertain what is known as a normal development for an 18 month old. Once you can understand each of the developmental skill categories and where the average 18 month old should be, then you begin to see clearly which toys are going to be the best for them to learn with.

Toys designed to fulfill their learning needs will keep them satisfied, and advancing normally in their learning journey. The following is a guide and not by any means an exhaustive list, nor meant as professional advice. The list will help you to buy the right toy for this age group.

Motor Skills -Both Gross and Fine

* Enjoys pushing, pulling and dumping things

* Runs with rigid movements and can keep eyes on the ground

* Can turn book pages

* Can stack two blocks on top of each other

* Can remove hats, socks, mittens etc

* Scribbles with crayons and thick pencils

* Walks unaided with good balance

Cognitive Skills

* Identifies an object in a book

* Can laugh at actions they see as funny (using a box as a hat for example)

* Knows something out of sight is still there and looks for it

* Can fit objects the correct shape together (square lid onto a square box)

* Does problem solving which involves trial and error

* Can understand and follow simple directions with one step

Social and Language Skills

* Can seem a little selfish

* Will compete with other children for the toys

* Like to play alone on the floor with toys

* May still be anxious when separating from parents

* Actively looks for attention

* Can use eight to ten words that are said clearly

* Points to objects and uses one word descriptions

* Can play pretend games with adult

* Draw your attention to an object or to an action

* Can place words like Bye, Hi, Please and remembers to use them when prompted

* Can communicate frustration and make a protest

* Will ask for mum or dad in a specific manner

* Can recognize themselves in a mirror or in photographs

Best Toys for the 18 Month Old Child

So now a good picture of educational and developmental toys becomes apparent. With not too much trouble there are many choices available in toys and they don't have to cost the earth. Just be sure they are sturdy and safe as they are likely to take some banging and crashing together quite often.

Here are a few that come to mind:

* Large blocks

* Toys with wheels that can be pushed and pulled

* Simple hide and seek games

* Shape puzzles and games

* Dolls and soft toys

* Sturdy and colorful books

* Low climbing toys

* Crayons ( but protect your walls)

* Simple dress ups

* Basic role play (kitchen sets, tea party, shops)

* Simple puzzle and problem solving games and activities

Being 18 months old puts your child right into the middle of the toddler toys in the 1-3 years age group. Look for toys by Playskool and Little Tikes.

Yogee.com.au is a leading Australian online toy store. Visit yogee.com.au for a wide selection of Kids Toys at discounted prices. To save money on your next purchase, please visit Kids Toys.

read more “Best Toys For 18 Month Old Kids”

Baby Sleeping Bag Hey Diddle 0-6 Months 1.0 TOG

Baby Sleeping Bag Hey Diddle 0-6 Months 1.0 TOG
Description
This lovely new design features a cow jumping over the moon, like the well known nursery rhyme.

Brand: Dream

Read Original Review

read more “Baby Sleeping Bag Hey Diddle 0-6 Months 1.0 TOG”

Baby's Naptime

Getting a good naptime routine established is very important. Babies need a lot of sleep, and if they're not getting enough of it, they get tired and irritable very easily. Unfortunately, the more tired and irritable they get, the harder it can be to settle them for a nap.

When a baby is still young, regular sleep patterns are closely linked to regular eating patterns, so it's good to look at what is considered "average" for the early stages of a baby's life. Remember, not all babies will adhere to these averages, and if your baby is vastly different, it may be worth discussing with your health professional.

Newborn - your newborn baby will be asleep for anywhere from 16 to 20 hours in a day. This includes naps taken between feeds. It's good to try and keep baby awake for a little while after a feed, so baby doesn't get into the habit of needing a feed to drop off to sleep. Once baby has been awake a little while, it's naptime, before baby gets overstimulated and wide awake.

2 Months Old - now baby is a little older, it's good to try and give him the opportunity to self-soothe during nap and bedtimes. It's quite normal for your baby to cry a little when first put into their crib or cot, but that's okay. Allow the crying to continue for a short while, say 10 minutes (unless you can hear baby is getting hysterical or distressed), then go and check on him. Resist the temptation to pick baby up, but pat his bottom, stroke his head and speak soothingly, or lightly rub his back until he is calm again.

3-6 Months Old - this is the age at which the amount of sleep required during the day starts to diminish. Baby will often drop one naptime without any prompting from you. Usually this is the late afternoon or third nap of the day. Sometimes baby will be a little grumpy to begin with, and may still want a short nap, but try to keep him awake and happy. This will help baby to go to bed at a reasonable time and sleep through the night.

Over 16 months - by now most infants have dropped their morning nap as well, and are perhaps having a longer afternoon nap to compensate. Most babies now sleep 10-12 hours a night, and their afternoon naptime lasts for 2-3 hours.

If you find baby isn't napping very well in the early months of life, you might need to cut back on awake time by 15 minutes increments. If baby is getting overstimulated and highly awake, then he will fight sleep and naptime becomes a struggle. Be alert for "tired" cues, like rubbing the eyes, and immediately act on them.

It's also important to give baby a chance to settle down to sleep by himself. Some people believe that their baby will be harmed if he cries, but most babies fuss or cry a little when first put to bed. It's important to give baby the opportunity to work out for himself how to relax and go to sleep. Many babies will start thumb sucking or use a dummy; others find a mobile hanging above the cot fascinating enough to stop crying and go to sleep. It's vital that baby learns this skill of self-soothing, or else you and baby will be having interrupted nights for what will seem like forever to the sleep deprived parent. Self-soothing is a skill, and like most skills, it is learned through practice.

Naturally if your baby is getting very distressed or worked up, you need to enter the room and help baby relax again. But try to avoid picking baby up or in any way disturbing the sleep environment. Leave baby in the bed and pat, stroke, or talk to baby until he settles down.

You need to be alert to baby's cues when setting naptime, but it's also good to have a routine. So you determine when naptime needs to start, and stick to the same time as often as you can. Babies generally relate well to routines, and will settle quickly.

When baby is older, too, he may wake up crying long before naptime is finished. This could be because of a dirty diaper, being uncomfortable either in position or temperature, or something disturbed him. Fix the problem and encourage baby to go back to sleep. Babies that have had enough sleep usually wake up happy, talking, and generally in a good mood.

Establishing good naptime routines is essential, both for you as a parent, and for your baby. Use a combination of cues from your baby and established routines, to make sure both you and baby get sufficient sleep.

The author's book about babies is available at Baby's First Year [http://www.baby.learnheaps.com] Discover more great articles about parenting at Info About Baby You can also sign up for a FREE Baby Tips newsletter at Baby Tips Newsletter.

read more “Baby's Naptime”

Mud Pie Baby Eieio Mary Jane Style Decorated Cotton Socks, Cow, 0 - 12 Months, Set of 2

Mud Pie Baby Eieio Mary Jane Style Decorated Cotton Socks, Cow, 0 - 12 Months, Set of 2
Description
Complete her EIEIO look with these adorable cow-themed socks. These adorable socks feature black and white "moo-cow" pattern and one pair has oversized black ruffles and the other pair has black and white grosgrain bows. So cute! Fits 0-6 month.

Brand: Mud Pie

Read Original Review

• Mud Pie Baby Eieio Black and White Gingham Bubble Dress, Cow, 0 - 6 Months
• Mud Pie Baby Eieio Black and White Gingham Bubble Dress, Cow, 12 - 18 Months
• Spotted Horse Denim Baby Sundress Gift
• Mud Pie Initial Baby Personalized Hair Bow
• Mud Pie Baby Eieio Spotted Ballet Flats, Cow, 0 - 6 Months

read more “Mud Pie Baby Eieio Mary Jane Style Decorated Cotton Socks, Cow, 0 - 12 Months, Set of 2”

What Baby Mattress is the Best?

Dear new parents, having waited for your long-expected baby, most likely you have been spending lots of hours imagining the future nursery reproducing it hundred times in your mind, placing in different styles of nursery furniture and plunging into baby products of every description in order to choose the best baby items for you little one.

Every loving parent, as such wants to make the baby's life safe and comfortable from the very first days of his or her arrival. This natural course of things, this can be a perplexing time and you may well miss an important part.

One should note that the most important furniture item is the baby's crib and that this needs to be addressed carefully, because new babies spend almost the biggest part of their first year's life in their cribs. So, please think about it for a while and you will understand that not only is the crib important Thus the choice of a mattress must also rank highly when examining what is on offer.

First months babies spend almost all their time sleeping or just lying being awake in their cots. All this time they are laying on the mattresses you have chosen. And the quality of the mattresses influences deeply their back and neck development. Many experts have come to the conclusion that the mattress is the most important decision in the nursery, thus we have to approach the question of "which one" with maximum attention, because the support given to the baby from the mattress must be of the highest level to ensure a comfy well -supported sleep. Moreover it has been suggested that a firm snugly fitted mattress reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

A spring mattress or foam one?

Usually buying a baby crib for a new baby you are counting on him or her to sleep in it for 4-5 years, from an economic point of view it is better to purchase a spring mattress of high quality, because such mattresses will see out even the life of the cot bed, whereas a foam mattress will only really last 2 years and have to be replaced.

Ergo as you can see buying a cheaper mattress (a foam one) you have to pay more as you pay twice! If you have to replace the old mattress in your child's cot or baby crib which is of a non-standard size it is more efficient to get a foam one. However, if buying a spring baby mattress doesn't kill your budget this kind of mattress would always be preferable.

Spring mattresses are produced in the same way as full sized adult mattresses and offering more support as the metal coils spring move as weight is applied that gives the best night sleep as well as afternoon nap. Such mattresses will not cause any "troubled slumber" as this is very important for any child.

Exotic ones

You can also choose unusual mattresses which are available nowadays in the market place. There are other options including bamboo with its natural anti bacterial qualities. Bamboo has excellent wicking properties, more than 3 times that of cotton, which gives you a drier, cooler sleep. The material is naturally antimicrobial, hypo-allergenic and odour resistant. Bamboo is favoured as a sustainable textile that is eco-friendly. Also there are fibre mattresses which consist of coconut husk as a natural supportive core.

Just Cots are here solely to offer you the very best crib mattress selections for your little ones. You can be sure that our mattresses offer your baby all the support he or she needs and moreover at the very best prices.

read more “What Baby Mattress is the Best?”

Garb NCAA Penn State Nittany Lions Charlie Infant Polo Onesie (18 month, Navy)

Garb NCAA Penn State Nittany Lions Charlie Infant Polo Onesie (18 month, Navy)
Description
Team Color Cotton Pique Onsie Polo with Team Embroidery Left Chest

Brand: Garb

Read Original Review

read more “Garb NCAA Penn State Nittany Lions Charlie Infant Polo Onesie (18 month, Navy)”

Top 26 Tips to Help When Your Tot is Teething

There are no hard and fast rules about what remedies will work for your child, particularly when you are looking for drug-free alternatives to relieve the miseries of teething. The following 26 tips from Little Sunflowers have been compiled from our own experiences and those of our customers, together with guidance from all around the internet. Some may work for you and some may not - but they're all worth a go! Keep trying different things until you find something which works for your child.

1. Cuddles are the most important thing you can give your teething child to comfort and reassure them - tender loving care goes a long way when your little one's teeth are hurting.

2. Cold foods, such as yogurt or fruit puree can help to numb the pain.

3. A cold drink can soothe the whole mouth so pop a bottle of boiled water, breast or formula milk into the fridge and offer it to your baby when it's cold (though not too cold as you don't want a tummy chill).

4. A weak chamomile infusion, or weak chamomile tea, is useful as a gentle sedative. Offer it to your baby from a bottle.

5. Plenty of water or heavily diluted juice should be given to your baby to replenish fluids when they are dribbling a lot.

6. A wet flannel which has been rung out and chilled can bring relief to a baby who is keen to chew on something - the rough texture really seems to help.

7. 2 drops of chamomile in 15ml of aloe vera gel can be used to massage the child's jaw and neck area.

8. Lightly massage your baby's gums with a clean finger the part that is sore will often feel hot to the touch and you will probably be able to feel the tooth coming through under the surface.

9. Dilute 1 drop of clove oil in 2 tablespoons of safflower oil and gently massage the affected area 2-3 times a day.

10. Rub your baby's gums with a small gauze pad - not only will this bring relief, but it will get your child used to the sensation of what it's like to have his or her

teeth cleaned.

11. Try a baby teething gel massaged across the gums for babies older than four months (recent articles expressing concern about using gels for this purpose referred to adult gels rather than those designed for babies.) Ensure you check the dosage and expiry date.

12. Crush a little ice and put it in a thin cotton cloth, then rub gently on the gums. Ensure ice doesn't come into direct contact with the gum, and ensure you keep the wrapped ice moving (children who hold frozen items against their gums for too long can actually get frostbite).

13. Chill some pieces of fruit or vegetables, wrap them in muslin and give them to your baby to chew under supervision.

14. Sterilised teething rings can provide temporary relief for the baby and actually help the teeth to cut through. Try one that's been chilled in the fridge for greater relief (or even gel-filled rings which can work well when they've been cooled in the fridge).

15. Chill a metal spoon in the fridge and allow your child to chew on it under supervision.

16. Allow your child to bite on the knuckle of your forefinger held sideways - it'll bring them comfort an hurt a lot less than you think!

17. Homeopathic Teething Granules contain soothing chamomilla, a traditional homeopathic remedy for teething pain in an easy-to-use form. They are available in your High Street Chemist - always read the label.

18. Consult a Homeopath, who will who will be able to recommend a number of remedies to relieve the symptoms associated with teething.

19. An amber teething necklace can be worn against the skin to calm and relax a teething child - these necklaces have been worn for generations across Europe in countries like Germany and Switzerland, though it is quite a new concept in the UK.

20. Make teething biscuits by mixing 1 cup of flour with 1 cup of baby cereal and 1 cup of juice. Roll out, cut into shapes, then bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes. Allow your baby to chew on them (when you are there, in case a small piece breaks off). These biscuits freeze well.

21. Chill carrot sticks, cucumber sticks or bread slices in the fridge and allow your baby to chew on them (only when you are there, in case a small piece breaks off). Avoid anything too hard as they could bruise the gums and make things more painful.

22. Distract your baby with something to play with or a change of scenery to divert their attention from the pain. There are a number of teething toys on the market with a dual purpose: your baby can chew on them and they are a distraction from their teeth. Examples include organic teething toys and rattles incorporating a ring and/or knots which can be rubbed against the gums. Sophie the Giraffe has been around for generations - she is made from natural Alpine rubber and non toxic paints and is designed for baby to chew as well as play with.

23. Keep a soft bib around your baby's neck and change it often to soak up dribble, thereby keeping the skin dry and so avoiding a rash.

24. Apply a simple barrier cream to sore chins to keep the skin smooth and ease any chapped skin.

25. Consult a cranial osteopath. Cranial osteopathy is a subtle type of osteopathic treatment using gentle techniques to release strain and tension in the body. It is particularly effective for young babies suffering with teething and colic.

26. Medicine (analgesic) designed especially for babies, such as Calpol or Nurofen, can be given to babies who are three months old or more to help relieve the pain and bring down a raised temperature. Always read the label, and check with your doctor and/or health visitor if a raised temperature persists. Follow your doctor's instructions and never give aspirin to a baby.

These tips are part of the Little Sunflowers Guide to Teething, which you can download free from the Little Sunflowers blog at http://littlesunflowers.blogspot.com/2010/01/help-my-baby-is-teething-what-should-i.html

read more “Top 26 Tips to Help When Your Tot is Teething”

Boon ModWare - Toddler Utensils - Orange/White

Boon ModWare - Toddler Utensils - Orange/White
Description
ModWare is perfect for toddlers who are ready to graduate from Benders, Toddler's First Utensils from Boon, but who are not quite ready for adult tableware. The ergonomic design has no sharp edges and the handles are designed with a soft, comfortable grip.

• Age: 9+ months
• Fork and spoon set
• Ergonomic design with no sharp edges
• Soft, comfort-grip handles
• Dishwasher-safe

Best Customer Review

- I was looking for a set that my 20 month old would enjoy using. She loved using the spoon but really hates the fork... I don't know if there is a single functional toddler fork out there but this one for sure is pretty useless if your child is trying to use it the way a fork was intended to be used. I got these with the Boon Catch Bowl - Toddler Bowl with Spill Catcher in Pink/White and the Silikids Universal Standard Small Siliskin, Lime to get my toddler fully independent. All has worked tremendously well for me so far.

Brand: Boon

Read Original Review

• Boon Catch Bowl - Toddler Bowl with Spill Catcher, Blue/Greeen
• Boon Saucer Slip Resistant Plate, Orange
• Boon Snack Ball Snack Container, Blue and Green
• Boon Benders - Adaptable Utensils in Orange/Blue
• Boon Groovy - Interlocking Plate and Bowl Set - Orange/White

read more “Boon ModWare - Toddler Utensils - Orange/White”

Baby Developmental Milestones at 22-24 Months

The 22-month-old is actually more a young child than a baby or infant at this point. He is learning bladder control and may be potty trained pretty reliably by now. The child this age is quite the imitator. He will do and say what those around him do and say. So caregivers must model good language habits and behavior for the young child to imitate. Your 22-month-old is learning about 10 words a day and is becoming quite a talker. A 22-month-old may be able to make 2 to 3 word sentences that make sense and are understandable. He is able to follow two step instructions. He may also be able to walk both up and down stairs with assistance or by himself.

The 23-month-old may like to play with puzzles and have the hand to eye coordination to play with many different puzzle-type games. Many young children at this age can identify their body parts. Reading becomes more interesting, since the 23-month-old can identify pictures in books with some ease now. Not only can the 23-month-old take of her clothes, but she may also be able to put them back on with little or no help from others. The 23-month old may even be able to understand opposites like hot and cold. She may be able to make 3-4 word sentences that are quite understandable, as well.

A 24-month-old child can be understood when he speaks. He can also speak in short sentences. He can take off his clothing and put it back on reasonably well with only a little help from an adult or older child. The 24-month-old enjoys books and reading. He also can name about 5 parts of his or a doll's body. The two- year-old has definite likes and dislikes, and can tell you about them readily. He is an active little person who sings, dances, jumps, runs, laughs and plays. Because the 24-month-old is an increasingly independent, active person, he will need constant supervision to protect him from injury, yet need to be able to explore and learn at the same time.

All children develop at differing rates. Comparing children can be a fun activity for parents, but differences in the way a baby or toddler develops are to be expected. If you have any concerns, please discuss them with your baby's health care provider or pediatrician. He or she can determine whether your child has a developmental disability or just needs a bit more time or practice to achieve some of the milestones mentioned in this article. If your baby was premature, developmental ages are usually determined by calculating the time that the baby was due, not the time that the infant was actually born. And if you baby is actually have a developmental problem, the earlier it is detected, the faster treatment or therapy can be used to remediate the issue. The milestones in these articles are to be used as guidelines only. The actual appropriateness of the health and development of your infant or toddler can best be determined by your child's pediatrician.

Caterina Christakos is a published author and reviewer. Read her latest reviews of seven dojo jeans and other seven jeans styles.

read more “Baby Developmental Milestones at 22-24 Months”

Dr. Brown's Pacifier with Handle, 6-18 Months

Dr. Brown's Pacifier with Handle, 6-18 Months
Description
The Dr. Brown's orthodontic pacifier design promotes proper oral development for babies.

Best Customer Review

- Tried a few different pacifier's, this is the first one we could get him to use, still not sure if that is a good thing (lol), as it seems he is using it more and more each day.

Brand: Dr. Brown's

Read Original Review

• Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Wide Neck Newborn Feeding Set
• Dr. Brown's Bottle Brush
• Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Level 2 Standard Nipple, 3 Pack
• Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Level 2 Wide Neck Nipple, 3 Pack
• Dr. Brown's Bottle Warmer

read more “Dr. Brown's Pacifier with Handle, 6-18 Months”

5 Low-Cost Baby Shower Gift Ideas That Parents Will Appreciate

A baby shower is a way of announcing to your close friends and relatives how grateful you are to have a baby. If you are an invitee to a baby shower, it is always a good idea to bring something as a gift for the baby.

And if you find it difficult to think of what to buy out of the wide array of baby essentials in the department store, here are some inexpensive ideas, which most parents would wish to have for their baby.

1. Clothing. One of the basic necessities of a baby is clothing. Baby clothes are available in different sizes for 0-3 months old, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and so on. It is safer to buy baby clothes which he can use later, because chances are the excited parents might have bought tiny clothes for a newborn.

2. Teething Toys. All babies will undergo the teething stage. During this stage, their gums are in pain. To help relieve the pain, they need chew toys. Giving the baby a number of these would be helpful, as it needs to be replaced once they get dirty and wear out. Make sure that the toys are safe for the baby and check for small parts that the baby may swallow.

3. Stuffed Toys. Everyone loves stuffed toys and this could be a safe gift for your baby. Some stuffed toys have feature like producing sound. Just make sure that the toy you are going to buy will not cause any allergy to the baby.

4. Diapers. Newborn would always need diapers up to their toddler stage. Giving diapers as gift is practical and will help parents save from their daily expenses. The baby needs tons of this and as the he grows and his diaper size also changes. It is also a good idea to ask the parents what type of diaper they opt to use for their baby.

5. Baby Books. It is a good practice for parents to read stories for their baby. Giving them books will help in their mental development period. Storybooks will be useful for the baby up to his childhood stage.

Want more source of knowledge? Visit solar pond pump which showcases various garden pond pumps, information, and purchasing guides.

read more “5 Low-Cost Baby Shower Gift Ideas That Parents Will Appreciate”

Boy's Matte Satin Christening Romper with Embroidered Celtic Cross, 0-3 Months, up to 10 lbs

Boy's Matte Satin Christening Romper with Embroidered Celtic Cross, 0-3 Months, up to 10 lbs

Brand: Christening Elegance

Read Original Review

read more “Boy's Matte Satin Christening Romper with Embroidered Celtic Cross, 0-3 Months, up to 10 lbs”