Playing with toys is so much fun, but play is also serious work for children! Thoughtful toy selections provide learning opportunities at every turn, including prominent developmental areas for infants and young children. Learning through play can be enhanced by exploring the variety of toys available from the Springfield-Greene County Library District’s Toy Catalog. These toys can all be placed on hold and checked out just like a book. What a golden opportunity to try a toy without finding more storage solutions!

Social and emotional development includes understanding feelings and interacting with others. You can build these skills by forming a music group with instruments from the Baby Band, taking turns rolling the ball and knocking down pins from the Baby Dinos Bowling Set or acting out daily activities with the People Around the Neighborhood.

Enhance those language and communication skills by taking any opportunity to talk with your child during play. Try playing restaurant with the Breakfast Food Set, practicing your best animal sounds with the Jumbo Farm Animals or enjoying a pretend conversation on the Push Button Play Phone to spark language development. 

Cognitive development comes into play when problem-solving or learning new concepts. Your child uses these skills counting and matching with the Tactile Number Tiles, trying your hand at telling time on the Geared Student Clock or working out how to assemble the Weather Dress-Up Puzzle. 

Fine motor skills, balance and coordination are all part of physical growth in early development. Strengthen the muscles used to turn the pages of a book by stringing together beads on a Lace a Shape, spinning the Sort and Spin Gears or playing a game of catch with the Sensory Ball Set to test those motor skills.  

Need more ideas? Stop by the Racing to Read Play and Learn Center at your favorite branch to see what toys spark joy, or ask your librarian for suggestions!