Toy tips

Kids love toys and can happily play for hours with the latest musical gadget or colourful display. Having said that, they are just as happy with an empty cardboard box or home made rattle made of dried rice and an empty jar. 

Homes where children live are often littered with plastic toys, games and fluffy teddy bears, which are essential for child development and growth. Perhaps your sole reason for buying a toy is for child-friendly entertainment that can provide you with some respite? Remember that toys are great learning tools and the purchases you make can quicken the development process no end.

If you want to be the parent of a clever child buy kid's books with images that promote brain growth and synapse function, find toys that adapt and change quickly or enrol you and your baby in sign language classes.

However, toys can carry a number of germs. Make sure that you santise them when they have been used by your child or other children as germs and illness can be spread easily. If you do not do this then you and your child can pick up many different illnesses. 

Common coughs and colds can be spread this way which can affect young children more than adults. If you have very young children ensure that you sterilise everything which comes into contact with them such as bottles to avoid other health issues. If your child has a comfort blanket you should wash it regulary so that it doesn't pick up dirt and germs.