Best Learning Toys for 1 year old
Investing in the best learning toys for 1 year olds is a great way to introduce a new language in a low-key manner. At this point in time, 1-year-olds starts to understand that sound convey word meanings.
Parents wanting to encourage bilingualism in their children at this point of time can do so by providing their child with great toys. Toys are a very fun way to learn and will reduce the pressure that children feel to learn a second language. However, before going shopping, parents need to make sure that they know what to look for.
Introducing a second language to your baby through bilingual toys for 1 year olds
Study after study has shown that investing in a second language is important to improve Cognitive ability, increase creativity, better literacy skills and many other benefits. This makes it important that even 1-year-old babies need to start to be exposed to a foreign language.
Instead of trying to make language learning a serious endeavour, using toys will keep it fun and lighthearted. Any of these toys will expose a baby to another language, making it easier for them to learn it in the future.
We have done our research and recommend a few learning toys that are suitable for 1 years olds. It can be a musical toy with multiple languages which allows your child to learn through song and music Alternatively, you may like to consider building blocks or word book which are alternative ways for them to build a second language. Let’s look in detail the options mentioned above.
What do 1 year olds enjoy
Cultures all around the world learn and teach through song, and children love the cadence, rhythm, and movement of music. Parents can take advantage of this love of music by using musical toys to help introduce a foreign language. Bilingual children and babies just being exposed to a second language will love hearing new words and songs.
Leapfrog Learn & Groove
These LeapFrog Learn & Groove Counting Maracas are a great option for any parent looking for fun musical instruments. They include counting, vocabulary, and colors in both Spanish and English. Babies who play with these maracas enjoy open-ended play that will expose them to new vocabulary. With sounds, music, and lights, they are entertaining and sure to keep a baby interested.
What we like
There are many ways to play with the maracas. The musical maraca you can play in the dark or semi-dark areas where the little one can be in a stroller and playing with the musical maraca. It has 3 different tunes and multiple verbal themes that announce the name of the colors when it changes, read numbers and a “shake it up” theme. You can choose the sound level to be either English or Spanish and it has 2 levels of sounds. The other maraca does not have music and just make rattle noises when you shake it.
What we don’t like
The maraca may be too heavy for some smaller sized babies to play with it. They may drop it many times and the hard plastic material may cause some potential injury.
- Multiple function maracas with sound, light and music
- Can play in the dark
- 3 different tunes
- Can choose sound to be English or Spanish
- Teaches name of color when light changes
- Hard plastic material
- May be too heavy for smaller build babies
Alternative Recommendation
Another great musical option is a soft piano from Baby Einstein.
Not only will children have complete control over the sounds that the instrument makes, but this toy introduces three languages. Babies will be exposed to French, Spanish, and English as they learn to count to five. Additionally, toys such as this allow for creative play and ensure that the baby has control over sounds.
What we like
It is rare for a toy to have 3 different languages. It has a variety of music sound and light and you can adjust the volume if it is too loud for your 1-year-old. If your child likes to mouth things, the safe soft keys make it safe for him/her. Battery life can be quite lasting for this toy and works fine after using for more than 6 months. The music selection is also different where it plays great snippets of classical music instead of standard nursery rhymes.
What we don’t like
Actual product looks a bit different as the keys are all on one piece of fabric that does not lights up. Soft keys may be hard to press for some babies.
- 3 Different languages
- Adjustable volume
- Soft keys safe for mouthing
- Durable battery life
- Classic music instead of boring nursery rhymes
- Actual products looks abit different than picture
- Soft keys may be hard to press for some babies
Baby puzzles 12 months
Some puzzles are designed for older children, but parents looking for learning toys for 1 year olds do have options. Puzzles are a great toy for children of any age, even babies. Since the pieces can all be manipulated and controlled, children will enjoy hands-on learning. Additionally, they are a great option for helping children improve their spatial reasoning, even at a very young age.
Puzzles such as the BeginAgain Color ‘N Eggs matching puzzle, are a great option for bilingual children. This puzzle allows children to match chicks with their eggs based on the color of the chick and text. Infants can’t read the text, but they will enjoy holding the pieces and parents can talk to them about the colors. The fun chicks on this puzzle will make even older children want to complete it.
Another fun bilingual puzzle that children will enjoy is the Small World Toys shapes puzzle. This fun puzzle allows children to practice putting shapes in place while learning colors. Again, very young children need an adult who will complete the puzzle with them. This ensures that they are hearing the color names in two languages and will help improve language recognition.
Blocks for toddlers development
Building and balancing are skills that every child needs to learn to be successful later in life. Blocks have always been a favorite for any child and allow children to practice fine motor skills. Introducing another language on the blocks is great for children who are ready to hear parents use a foreign language.
Kids Korner has great bilingual blocks that are jumbo-sized, making them easier for small children to hold and manipulate. These blocks are great for stacking and for older children to count, sort, and match. Parents can help better the play with these blocks by saying names in Spanish and in English. Because blocks can be used to play in so many ways, they are a great option for improving creativity.
Dual language childrens books
While 1-year-olds can’t read on their own, parents and caregivers should be reading to them. Rather than reading books in just one language, opting for bilingual books is a great idea. This ensures that children are introduced to a wide variety of different words when they are young.
Kaplan released a series of My Five Senses Bilingual Board Books, which are a great option for introducing Spanish words. They are easy to understand and the fun illustrations appeal to children of all ages. Additionally, because they are bilingual, parents will have an easy time explaining what is going on in the book.
The LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book is another great option for busy parents. Babies will enjoy hearing words and fun sound effects, making this a great interactive option. While some younger babies may not be old enough to enjoy it, it’s perfect for use as they grow up. It also covers a wide variety of categories of words, which is great for impressive exposure.
Babyers No1 Choice on Best Learning Toys for 1 year old
With so many different options for bilingual toys on the market, it’s easy to see how parents can support bilingualism. Introducing children to a foreign language when they are really young is the best way to make them willing to learn.
Learning toys for 1-year-olds are a low-stress way to bring another language into the home and encourage learning. We feel that for a 1-year-old, the safety of the toy will be important. The fact that there are not many toys allowing exposure of 3 languages, our top choice will be Baby Einstein Discover & Play Piano Musical Toy
Alternative
If there is an alternative then LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book will be your best choice. Allowing your child to get exposure to a variety of words with words and fun sound effects, this will be a great alternative choice for you. This toy is also good value for money as your child can still be playing with it when they are reaching 3 to 4 years old.
You may also be keen on How to Entertain a One Year Old on a Plane and How to Keep Relationship Strong After a Baby
