Colorful toys are not just entertainment, but are essential educational tools that contribute to the growth and development of children during their various age stages. In this article from Dalili Medical, we will review the importance of colorful toys in the development of the child and how they affect the development of various aspects of his personality and skills.

**Stages of visual development in newborns and young children**

 

**Newborn stage (from birth to two months):** At this stage, newborns can see objects at a distance of 20 to 30 centimeters, which is the distance between the child's face and the face of the person who is breastfeeding or hugging him. At this age, children are attracted to high-contrast patterns, such as black and white, because their eyes are still developing.

**Early childhood stage (from 2 to 4 months):** During this period, the child's vision begins to improve gradually. The child begins to follow moving objects and shows interest in colorful toys and pictures. It is normal for their eyes to move in different directions, as their muscles become stronger over time.

**Exploration Stage (4 to 6 Months):** At 4 to 6 months, babies are able to reach for objects and gain better depth perception, allowing them to see more colors more clearly. This is an ideal period to introduce more colorful toys and books with large, clear pictures to stimulate their developing vision.

How do toddlers perceive colors?

 

Understanding how toddlers perceive colors is important to creating an engaging and stimulating environment for them. Here are some tips to help them:

1. **High contrast**: In the first months of their lives, babies are drawn to high-contrast colors, such as black and white, as they are easier for their developing eyes to distinguish. So, it is preferable to incorporate these colors into the baby’s room decor or toys.

2. **Minimalist colors**: As babies get older, they begin to notice colors with less contrast, such as paint colors. Light colors such as blue, pink, and yellow are soothing and visually appealing to them.

3. **Bright colors**: Young babies are able to see a wide range of colors. Bright colors such as red, green, and blue can attract their attention and contribute to stimulating their visual development.

**Benefits of playing for children**

A child's brain goes through a vital stage of growth and development in the first year of life, as neural connections between brain cells are formed very quickly during this period.

It can be said that playing plays an important role in building these neural connections and developing the child's brain, which contributes to the development of his motor and mental skills. Here are some of the main benefits that highlight the importance of playing for children:

- Enhancing the child's ability to interact with his environment and with others, as studies have shown that playing helps children of all ages develop their social skills and improve their behavior in dealing with others, which is positively reflected in their performance in classrooms in the future.

- Strengthening the bonds between the child and his parents, through their participation in play activities, which enhances family relationships and increases emotional communication between them.

Developing the sense of sight, which is still in the development stage during the first months of a child's life, is done through the use of toys with bright and contrasting colors, which provides the child with new visual inputs that contribute to improving his visual abilities.

Improving coordination between the eyes and limbs can be achieved through games that combine the senses of sight and touch, such as play cubes (Lego).

Developing the skill of visual tracking is done by playing with toys such as moving cars and balls that move in specific paths.

Enhancing the child's awareness of the existence of objects on a permanent basis, as games help him understand that things do not disappear just because they are not seen.

Developing the child's sense of hearing is done through toys that make distinctive and new sounds, such as animal sounds and musical instruments.

Enhancing the child's sense of touch by exploring the texture of various toys, including smooth, rough, and curvy surfaces, etc.

Developing the child's imagination and ability to create.

**The effect of play in shaping the child's personality**

Play is considered a basic psychological need for children, as it is an important psychological and health support in addition to proper nutrition, especially in the first years of a child's life. Here are some points that illustrate the importance of play in developing a child's personality from both a physical and intellectual perspective:

- Play contributes to enhancing the growth of the child's muscles, and works to train all parts of his body effectively, which helps him form positive attitudes towards his body and use his physical capabilities better.

- Play contributes to helping the child understand the world around him, and stimulates his mental activity, which leads to an increase in his intelligence rate.

- Play helps older children accept the standards of the group and the rules of the game, and enhances their moral sense, and develops their social behavior through their interaction with their peers.

Play contributes to reducing the fears and tensions that the child may face at various stages of his life, and helps him express his feelings and relieve psychological pressures.

Types of games suitable for children?

 

It is necessary to choose games that enhance the child's senses during his development stage, especially during the first year of his life. You should also choose games that help develop his motor and mental skills. Some of the best toys for children in their early stages of life are:

- Play blocks (Lego): They are considered an ideal choice for your child, as they improve hand-eye coordination and develop motor skills.

- Dolls and stuffed dolls: Children are often closely associated with these toys during their early years.

- Toys hanging above the child's bed: They allow him to interact with them and stimulate his different senses.

Shape-building games are suitable for children who have reached their first year, as they help teach them geometric shapesAnd enhance their ability to distinguish between similar shapes.

As for musical instruments and toys that make musical sounds, they help activate the child's sense of hearing and enable him to recognize different sounds, such as animal sounds.

There are also games that stimulate intelligence and mental abilities, such as simple puzzles, which are suitable for children who have completed their first year.

When does children's play become negative?

 

Play can be harmful to the child in some cases, depending on his age, behavior, character and habits. Among the negatives associated with children's play:

- The child may feel frustrated and failed when using toys that are not appropriate for his age.

- When a young child has many toys, he may move from one toy to another without taking enough time to explore each toy, which prevents him from learning perseverance and not putting effort into thinking.

- Excessive play and not setting a specific time for it, especially for children aged 4 years and above, may lead to the child's recklessness and loss of a sense of order and the value of time.

The child's behavior with his peers is affected by some games that may encourage violence and aggressive behavior.

Some games contribute to teaching the child negative traits, such as lying, cheating and deception.

Excessive use of electronic devices can lead to poor concentration and attention in the child, in addition to problems of insomnia and stress, and in some cases, may contribute to the emergence of symptoms of autism.

**The importance of colorful games in the development of the child**

**Stimulating the senses:**Colorful games contribute to activating children's senses, especially the sense of sight. Bright and attractive colors attract the child's attention and encourage him to explore his surroundings, which enhances the development of his senses.

**Developing motor skills:**Colorful games often coordinate between the hands and eyes, which contributes to improving the child's fine motor skills. Interacting with games such as assembling cubes or moving games enhances hand-eye coordination.

**Enhancing visual learning:**Colors help children distinguish and identify objects easily. Colorful games enhance children's ability to recognize different colors and associate them with the world around them, which contributes to improving their visual memory and enhancing the learning process.

**Encouraging Creative Thinking:**Colorful toys stimulate children's imagination and encourage them to think creatively. By playing with dolls, drawing with colors, or building shapes using cubes, children learn how to express their ideas and creativity in innovative ways.

**Developing Social Skills:**Playing colorful toys with others develops children's social skills. Through play, children learn how to interact with others, take turns, and wait for their turn, which enhances their understanding of social rules.

**Enhancing Language and Communication:**Colorful toys are an effective way to enhance children's language and communication skills. Through play, children learn how to describe colors and shapes, which contributes to expanding their vocabulary and improving their communication skills.

**The Role of Colors in Improving Mood:**Colors play an important role in influencing children's moods. Bright and vibrant colors can lift a child's spirits and give them a feeling of happiness and enthusiasm, while calm colors contribute to calming and relaxing them.

**Stimulating Thinking and Problem Solving:**Games that require thinking and analysis, such as colorful puzzles, contribute to enhancing children's problem-solving skills. Through play, children learn how to think critically and find appropriate solutions to the challenges they face.

**Providing a fun learning environment:** Colorful games make the learning process fun and engaging for children. Through play, children can acquire many skills and knowledge indirectly, without feeling bored or stressed.

**The effect of colors on your child's psychology:**

- **Gray** Your child's exposure to gray enhances his creativity, as it is considered a neutral color.

- **Pink and peach** Pink and peach contribute to creating an atmosphere of calm and tranquility for your child, and help calm his nerves. It is preferable to choose non-bright shades of this color, as bright colors may lead to tension.

- **White and ivory** White and ivory are characterized by purity and clarity, and are considered colors that encourage your child to relax in general. Therefore, it may be a good idea to choose this color in your child's room. It is preferable to add another bright color to white and ivory to encourage your child to open up.

- **Yellow** Yellow is considered the color of joy and happiness, so using it encourages your child to do the necessary tasks. Light shades of it also enhance your child's concentration, while bright shades stimulate memory.

- **Blue** Your child is affected by the color of blue based on the chosen shade. Light or bright shades give a feeling of comfort and calm, and help reduce high blood pressure and calm a rapid heartbeat. While dark shades of blue may create a sad and dark atmosphere for your child.

- Green ** Green is one of the best options you can choose for your child's room, as it is a natural sedative for his nerves, making it ideal for children who tend to be nervous. The color green also contributes to enhancing your child's concentration and speed of comprehension, so it is preferable to use it in rooms designated for learning.

**Tips for choosing colorful toys**

1. **Choosing safe toys**: Make sure that the toys are made of safe and non-toxic materials.

2. **Choosing age-appropriate toys**: Make sure to choose toys that suit the child's age and level of development.

3. **Diversify games**: It is important to diversify games between educational and entertaining to meet different developmental needs.

4. **Interact with the child**: Participate in the game with the child and interact with him to enhance the relationship and build his social skills.