The Ideal Toy Basket

■Imagination toys  Play sets and role-play toys, such  as  cookery sets   
■Active toys Toys that encourage crawling or    pushing
■Books   Highly important, even at a very early  stage
■Bath time toys  Make the most of bath time with rubber  ducks, etc
■Quiet-time toys  Cuddly animals, mobiles, etc
■Problem-solving toys Simple puzzles, shape finders, etc. from   six months onwards

◊ 3 to 6 months
By four months of age, most babies will laugh and smile and coo. They love to "talk" to other people. Make sure you spend time every day listening to what your baby has to say. Cuddle, hold and talk to your baby. Have little conversations throughout the day, during diaper changes, baths, car rides and more. This is a great time to start "reading" to your baby. Use book made out of cloth or plastic. Don't worry about following every word in the book, but point out the pictures and say, for instance, "See the dog? The dog says, 'woof!'" This is also a wonderful time to start playing  "This Little Piggy" and "peek a boo."
Since this is the time most babies begin putting things in their mouths, provide large toys like rattles and infant toy key rings. Keep your little one away from objects that are a choking hazard  (anything smaller than his fist). Toys with dangling rattles (like baby gyms) that your baby can bat with hands and feet will be a hit.
   Most babies will learn to roll over at around four months of age. You should never leave a baby alone on any flat surface other than the floor, even if only for a few seconds. Once your baby learn to roll and wiggle, fall prevention becomes even more important.
We put our babies to sleep on their back since doing so is believed to decrease the risk of  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), sometimes known as  "crib death." So make sure your baby gets "tummy time" by playing with him on a blanket or play mat on the floor. Many babies will fuss when they first try tummy play but it won't take them long  to learn to enjoy it as they get stronger.
Avoid having your young baby spend lots of time in jumpers, exersaucers and bouncy seats. New research show that babies using these toys before the age when they would normally stand on their own have an increased risk of developing hip problems and may actually delay walking  Limit your baby's time in these toys to no more than an hour a day. Baby walkers pose a safety hazard, because infants can get to places where they shouldn't fall down stairs.  It is strongly recommended not to use them. And, never place your baby's car seat or bouncy seat on the table or counter. By this age, infants wiggle enough to cause the baby seat to fall over and off read more......