Although we may not always appreciate when our little ones are engaged in activities such as banging on pots and pans with a wooden spoon or dropping objects from their high chair or learning tower, these are such powerful moments of learning for the child.&nbsp;Sometimes, they might even be trying to see what our reactions will be; so remember when your toddler starts throwing their food during mealtime that they may simply be trying to test the relationship between cause and effect. It is so important for children to develop a sense of cause and effect because it allows them to make sense of their world.&nbsp;As they grow older, it will help them realize the impact their actions have on other people, their community, and the environment on a global scale. Recognizing cause and effect may even help children be more successful in school as they are able to learn from their mistakes, acknowledging what caused those things to happen.&nbsp;&nbsp;Knowing the impact of cause and effect, you might now be thinking, “Wow! I really need to start introducing this concept to my baby!” The good news for us as parents and caregivers is that children can learn cause and effect through observation and play.&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Here are some toys that can engage your toddler’s fascination with cause and effect:&nbsp; &nbsp;</h3><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li style="text-align:justify;">Object Permanence Box -&nbsp;This classic Montessori toy will help children begin to understand the magic of object permanence, as they explore what happens when the ball is dropped inside the hole in the box. They will be fascinated when they hear it hit the bottom of the box and watch it roll back to them.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Rolling toys -&nbsp;Rolling toys such as the Rolling Drum and Rolling Rattle are perfect for practicing fine motor skills, coordination, and learning to reach. Your child will love discovering cause and effect as they grip and spin these fun toys!&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Hammer Bank -&nbsp;Your child will be fascinated as they discover the effect of hammering the balls and watching them fall through the holes.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Musical Instruments -&nbsp;Musical instruments such as the Rain Stick, Rattle Toy, Drum, and Xylophone are great tools for helping your child explore the concept of cause and effect. Toddlers can discover how the speed and intensity of manipulating these instruments changes the sounds they create.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Pop up Game -&nbsp;Little ones will love developing a sense of cause and effect as they practice their fine motor skills, tapping the rabbit, bear, owl, and fox and watching them pop up in response!&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Push and Pull Toys -&nbsp;Push toys and pull toys like the Baby Walker and the Dragging Snail are not only great for encouraging and promoting your child’s gross motor skills, but can also help them understand the effects of their actions as they watch the toys move along in front of or behind them, following their movements. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Screw Play -&nbsp;Screws and nuts are so much fun for little ones developing their fine motor skills. The four pieces can be combined in so many fun ways, allowing your child to explore the cause and effect of moving each piece and part.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Car Ramp -&nbsp;The Car Ramp will help your child learn about gravity, develop movement, and prepare them for reading. As if each of those benefits weren’t enough, this exciting toy will also facilitate your child’s understanding of cause and effect as they watch the car slide down the ramp as they give it a push and let it go!</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ReferencesBaby Gadget List. (2022).&nbsp;24 best baby toys that teach cause-and-effect.&nbsp;<a href="https://babygadgetlist.com/cause-and-effect-toys-for-babies-and-toddlers/">https://babygadgetlist.com/cause-and-effect-toys-for-babies-and-toddlers/</a>&nbsp;California Department of Education. (2021).&nbsp;Foundation: Cause-and-Effect.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/itf09cogdevfdcae.asp">https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/itf09cogdevfdcae.asp</a>&nbsp;Play Inspired Mum. (2022).&nbsp;The benefits of cause and effect learning for babies.&nbsp;<a href="https://playinspiredmum.com/benefits-of-cause-and-effect-learning-for-babies/">https://playinspiredmum.com/benefits-of-cause-and-effect-learning-for-babies/</a>&nbsp;

Toys That Engage Your Toddler's Fascination with Cause and Effect

Have you ever wondered why your child loves looking at themselves in the mirror? We promise it’s not that your infant or toddler is already conceited and self-absorbed. They’re not checking to make sure their hair looks nice or that they don’t have any blemishes. That comes much later - during the glorious teenage years you have to look forward to in the future; just kidding!The reality is that mirror-gazing is a favorite activity for babies and is a great way for them to develop many skills. Mirror play not only develops your child’s visual senses, it allows them to begin to recognize their own face, and helps them identify specific facial features and emotions. Research shows that toddlers begin to recognize their reflection between eighteen to twenty-four months. Before that time, babies seem to just enjoy the company of the smiling, babbling baby they see in the mirror. We all love time with friends, right?Developing the ability to recognize their reflection is a crucial step in building a strong sense of self-awareness, a key component in a child’s overall social-emotional development. A little later, around the age of two, children also develop the ability to identify more facial features and a wider range of emotions. This is a great time to introduce vocabulary like chin, eyebrow, surprised, and frustrated.Mirrors appeal to a young child’s innate interest in viewing faces and provide a great opportunity for them to practice locating their facial features. They may also have fun matching their facial expression to various emotions as their knowledge and awareness of these concepts deepens. Making faces in the mirror helps toddlers identify what different emotions look like on their own face. Identifying feelings and emotions in this way is critical for developing empathy as your little one begins to realize their feelings are distinct from those of others allowing them to become more mindful of others’ emotions.To help support your child’s interest in the mirror, you can offer them the Mirror Toy from our Mouse Box. Using the Mirror Toy, you can play games where you ask your baby to point to different body parts on their face (“show me your eyelashes” and “touch your cheek”). You can ask them to show you various emotions, encouraging your little one to watch their reflection in the mirror to see how their facial expression changes. You might say, “Everyone look angry. Here’s my angry face. Where’s yours?” Asking your baby to try to match your expression or the expression on the face of people on emotion cards, posters, or even in their favorite book is another fun activity that helps them identify feelings and emotions in themselves and others.So the next time you question if your little one may falsely believe they have a new friend in their mirror or are simply obsessed with their reflection, remember that mirror play is a simple way to support their development in many ways!References American Academy of Pediatrics. (2012). Milestones during the first 2 years. Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/Milestones-During-The-First-2-Years.aspx&nbsp; Puglisi, D. (2019). Reflecting on babies and mirror play. First Things First. https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/first-things/reflecting-on-babies-and-mirror-play Webb, A. (2020). Child psychology classics: The mirror test. The Thoughtful Parent. https://thoughtfulparent.com/child-psychology-classics-mirror-test.html&nbsp;

Mirror, Mirror: The Surprising Benefits of Mirror in Play

The truth is that babies often have not yet developed an awareness of the taste of various objects. Putting food, toys, and other items in their mouth allows babies to explore their taste and texture. This type of oral exploration is a key developmental stage that allows infants to learn about their environment.&nbsp; &nbsp;A baby’s hands and fingers haven’t developed quite enough to allow them to explore objects by feeling. On the other hand (pun intended), their lips and mouths are packed with sensory nerves that enable them to feel objects and determine if they are soft or hard, rough or smooth, warm or cool.&nbsp; &nbsp;Babies naturally mouth objects for physical and emotional reasons as well. Mouthing objects can also be related to teething which typically begins somewhere between three to seven months. Babies often feel discomfort when a tooth is trying to break through the gums and rubbing an object, especially something cold, against the gums and/or biting down on it can bring some relief. Mouthing objects can also bring emotional relief, soothing a baby and helping them to relax when they are tired, uncomfortable, or upset.&nbsp; &nbsp;Although we joked about it at first, babies actually develop a sweet tooth before they’re even born and they’re almost always hungry! This means that infants will mouth objects to check to see they are edible and can satisfy their sweet tooth.&nbsp; &nbsp;Given the benefits of baby mouthing, it can be helpful to encourage this behavior by providing your child toys they can safely explore to stimulate their curiosity and learning. Natural or wooden objects such as the Small Rattle and the Clutch Discs are great options. The Sensory Ball can also provide unique sensory experiences for the child as they explore various fabrics and textures by mouthing.&nbsp; &nbsp;ReferencesIftikhar, N. (2020). Baby mouthing - aka why do babies put everything in their mouths.&nbsp;Healthline.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/baby-mouthing">https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/baby-mouthing</a>&nbsp;Montessori Edited. (2022).&nbsp;The Montessori puzzle ball - why is it so popular with babies?&nbsp;<a href="https://montessoriedited.com/puzzle-ball/">https://montessoriedited.com/puzzle-ball/</a>&nbsp;Wade, J. (2022). Why does my baby put everything in their mouth?&nbsp;BabyCenter.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.babycenter.com/toddler/behavior/why-does-my-baby-put-everything-in-her-mouth_6721">https://www.babycenter.com/toddler/behavior/why-does-my-baby-put-everything-in-her-mouth_6721</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;

Does That Taste Good? The Real Reason Babies Put Everything in Their Mouths

The good news is there are Montessori materials for children of this age that are specially developed to be stimulating and engaging. For a parent or caregiver who wants just a few minutes of quiet or an opportunity to have a sip of tea uninterrupted, the following activities may be your saving grace.<h2>Montessori mobiles</h2>Montessori mobiles are a great toy for stimulating your baby’s sight and engaging their interest. The Munari Mobile encourages your infant’s focus as they start to learn to track objects, understand depth, and learn how to differentiate between basic colors. The stark contrasts between black and white on this mobile is perfect for newborns as it provides them enough challenge to keep their concentration as their eyesight is continuing to develop. The Octahedral Mobile is the second in the series. The primary colors of red, blue, and yellow help your infant start noticing colors and captures their attention as they begin to coordinate their eyes together to focus on the depth of the triangles.<h2>Wooden toys</h2>As your baby grows, they will soon become interested in grasping things and chewing on them. The Small Grabling Toy and the Small Rattle will engage your infant as they encourage grasping, develop hand strength, and build curiosity. Additionally, these toys make a noise when shaken, assisting your baby in developing their knowledge of cause and effect.<h2>Black and white image contrast cards</h2>Black and white image contrast cards, books, and objects like the Contrast Book and the Contrast Sensorial Toy may seem boring to adults, but they are captivating to newborns. When infants are first born, they have poor eyesight and the blur of their vision often causes details to be lost, narrowing their interest in dull colors or soft shapes. The stark contrast between black and white allows the child to easily see the shapes and stimulates the child’s vision.References The Topponcino Company. (2021). The top 7 Montessori baby toys (and mobiles) experts agree you need. https://topponcinocompany.com/blogs/montessori/montessori-baby-toys&nbsp; &nbsp;

3 Engaging Activities for Newborns

We’re sure you’ve been caught in one of these tiny toddler tornadoes at least once or twice. Inevitably as a parent or caregiver who's found themselves in one of these twisters, you’ve likely used bribery in the form of a favorite snack or toy to try to get just a few minutes of stillness, especially in places like the doctor’s office or a restaurant.Although it may make life feel like a whirlwind (que tiny toddler tornado, if you will), each of these movements is critical for a child’s development. Not only do all of the new motor skills children are learning need practice, it is through this movement that they are able to explore their environment and learn more about the world around them.The good news is that you can support your child’s need for movement in ways that are more directed (and may feel less overwhelming as a parent) with these 5 toys designed specifically to stimulate movement:&nbsp;<h1>Support children's urge to move</h1><h2>Sensory balls</h2>The <a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/">Sensory Ball</a> from the mouse box can stimulate movement for a young child at various stages of development. It can first assist in movement of the hands as the baby reaches to grab it and in kicking when hung above them. When the child learns to crawl, it becomes the perfect motivational toy as it rolls, but not too far, providing an incentive for movement without added frustration.&nbsp;<h2>Rolling Rattle</h2>The <a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/our-boxes">rolling rattle</a> from the bear box is a great way to stimulate your child’s movement as they will often roll just out of their reach. The bells inside also provide a nice auditory stimulus that further engages the child and encourages them to continue the process of rolling the rattle and moving to grasp it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Clutch discs</h2>The <a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/our-boxes">Clutch Discs</a> from the bear box provide a perfect incentive for movement as they will often move just out of the reach of the child, encouraging them to move their body to grasp it once again within a distance that is achievable without causing frustration. The Clutch Discs are also satisfying to reach for young children as they are just the right size to explore sensorially through mouthing.&nbsp;<h2>Rolling drum</h2>Similar to the rolling rattle, the <a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/en/activity-guide">Rolling Drum</a> from the fox box rolls easily, but gently, moving just outside of the child’s reach and stimulating their desire for movement. The balls and bells inside the drum provide the same auditory stimulus that further engages the child.&nbsp;<h2>Push or pull toys</h2>Children will be encouraged to walk, led by the excitement of push and pull toys such as the <a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/en/our-boxes">Push and Pull Walker</a> from the deer box &nbsp;and the Pull along Snail. These toys help children support the development of large motor skills, emphasizing balance and coordination while building arm and leg strength.&nbsp;References How We Montessori. (2018). Montessori rolling toys that promote movement - learning to crawl. https://www.howwemontessori.com/how-we-montessori/2018/03/montessori-toys-that-promote-movement-montessori-baby-at-five-to-six-months.html&nbsp; Jones, A. (2019). Dear parents of toddlers: Here’s why your kid basically *never* sits down. Romper. https://www.romper.com/p/do-toddlers-ever-sit-still-experts-explain-why-they-move-so-much-19418688&nbsp; Lee, G. (2022). Toys that boost physical development. Baby Center. https://www.babycenter.com/child/development/toys-that-boost-physical-development_3659016&nbsp; Montessori Edited. (2022). The Montessori puzzle ball - why is it so popular with babies? https://montessoriedited.com/puzzle-ball/&nbsp;

Top 5 Toys that Stimulate Movement for Children

Although it's difficult to keep up with those fast fingers, developing fine motor skills allows your child to become more independent. By strengthening the small muscles in the hands, a child can more easily complete everyday tasks like dressing and eating, and is prepared for writing. You may be thinking, "This is exactly what I need - a child who can strip in public and write all over the walls of our house. While that may not sound like a lot of fun, it's so important to encourage your child's independence, and wouldn't it be wonderful if you, as a parent or caregiver, had one less thing to do?The good news is that there are many activities that can help a child build muscle strength and coordination in their hands to promote independence. Here are 5 of the best toys that promote this fine motor development in children:<h1><a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/en">Toys to promote fine motor skills</a></h1><h2> <a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/en/our-boxes">Puzzles</a></h2>Almost every one of our boxes contains some sort of puzzle. Putting together puzzles like the pincer grip puzzle, shape puzzle, animal puzzle, or geometric puzzles help develop hand muscles and prepare children for more advanced skills.&nbsp;<h2><a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/en/activity-guide">Sensory Toys</a></h2>Like the sensory balls from the mouse box which each have a different surface texture or the sensory blocks from the bear box. The child learns to feel and distinguish minute differences in texture.&nbsp;<h2><a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/en/our-boxes">Shoelace game</a></h2>Practicing with the shoelace game from the squirrel box challenges your child in several ways. It learns the shapes thanks to the squares, circle and triangle inside the game. In each shape there are small holes through which the shoelace must be pulled. This allows the individual shapes to be attached to the base of the toy. This challenges concentration and hand dexterity.&nbsp;<h2><a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/en/activity-guide">Stacking and building toys</a></h2>Sticking with, among other things, the rainbow from the deer box, teaches your child colors as well as patience and hand motor skills. Stacking cups and rings like the stackable bowls and stacking tower also encourage these skills. Sorting activities like the cone sorter or the sort&amp;count game from the rabbit box also support these coordinated movements.&nbsp;<h2><a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/en/activity-guide">Magnetic boards</a></h2>Magnetic boards like the Magnetic Drawing Board train hand-eye coordination and strengthen hand muscles. In addition, the magnetic board is a great toy to take on the go. &nbsp;<h2><a href="https://www.tribu-box.com/en/activity-guide">Manipulation toys</a></h2>Toys that children can manipulate, such as the screw game from the boar box the gear puzzle from the squirrel box and help train hand strength and develop hand coordination. &nbsp;

Top 5 Toys that Promote Fine Motor Development for Children

<h1>For toddlers:</h1> &nbsp;<h2>1️⃣ Watermelon Slush:</h2>Juicy watermelon always gets us into the summer mood. Blend 2 cups of fresh watermelon (or other juicy fruits like strawberries or peaches), 1 cup of ice, and a squeeze of lime juice until it's soft and creamy. What a refreshing treat!&nbsp;<h2>2️⃣ Homemade Berry Popsicles:</h2>In a blender, mix 1 cup of mixed berries (like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries) with 1 cup of coconut water or fruit juice. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 4 hours. &nbsp;<h2>3️⃣ Fruit Skewers:&nbsp;</h2>Grab a variety of bite-sized fruit such as melon balls, grapes, and pineapple chunks (or any other fruit your child likes). Thread them onto skewers and serve them as a colorful and healthy snack.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>For babies:</h1>&nbsp;<h2>1️⃣ Watermelon Purée:&nbsp;</h2>Introduce your baby to the refreshing taste of watermelon with a simple mash. Purée the watermelon pieces until they are smooth and creamy, and serve it to your little one. You can also freeze the purée in small portions to make watermelon popsicles for later on. &nbsp;<h2>2️⃣ Refreshing Fruit Mash:&nbsp;</h2>Combine soft and ripe fruits like bananas, peaches and mangos in a bowl. Mash them until you reach a creamy consistency. This blended fruit porridge provides natural sweetness and hydration for your baby on hot summer days. &nbsp;<h2>3️⃣ Cucumber Apple Purée:&nbsp;</h2>Peel and chop a cucumber and an apple into small pieces. Steam or boil them until they are soft and purée them together until you have a smooth mixture. This refreshing purée can be served cold and is perfect for keeping your baby cool and hydrated. &nbsp;<h2>Conclusion:</h2>Summer is the perfect time to indulge in refreshing treats. Besides, these recipes are rich in vitamins and will increase your loved one's hydration immediately!&nbsp; We wish you a fantastic summer! Enjoy your time :-) Your Tribu Team

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Beat the summer heat: Refreshing treats for your little ones

Articles list

Toys That Engage Your Toddler's Fascination with Cause and Effect

Mirror, Mirror: The Surprising Benefits of Mirror in Play

Does That Taste Good? The Real Reason Babies Put Everything in Their Mouths

3 Engaging Activities for Newborns

Top 5 Toys that Stimulate Movement for Children

Top 5 Toys that Promote Fine Motor Development for Children

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In your cart

Beat the summer heat: Refreshing treats for your little ones

Articles list

Toys That Engage Your Toddler's Fascination with Cause and Effect

Mirror, Mirror: The Surprising Benefits of Mirror in Play

Does That Taste Good? The Real Reason Babies Put Everything in Their Mouths

3 Engaging Activities for Newborns

Top 5 Toys that Stimulate Movement for Children

Top 5 Toys that Promote Fine Motor Development for Children

Newsletter

About Tribu

Our boxes and subscriptionsActivity guideKeep a Tribu ToyBlogGiftcardsAbout usOur expertsFAQ

Customer service

Customer portalTerms and ConditionsImpressumPrivacy Policy

Follow us

support@tribu-box.com

Our boxes and subscriptions
Activity guide
Keep a Tribu Toy
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Giftcards
About us
Our experts
FAQ

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