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The first year has many changes for a new baby. A baby learns new skills and becomes more aware of the world around him or her. Many baby toys are designed to enhance these new and developing skills, including stimulation of the five senses, especially touch, sound, and sight. As a result, many baby toys for the first twelve months are colorful or designed with bright patterns, either in black and white or primary colors. But, what toys are appropriate after the first twelve months? For a baby first birthday gift, many toys continue this developmental pattern. A baby's first birthday gift can be more than just a toy, however, and, for parents celebrating the first birthday of their child, a baby first birthday gift can be a practical item that they will be able to use for their baby during the first year.
Picking out a baby first birthday gift is much like picking out a baby shower gift, be it practical or fun. The only difference this time is the developmental stage for the child is farther along than the year before. Toys, in particular, for this stage are still designed to stimulate the five senses, especially touch, sight, and sounds, but the toys themselves are more complex. For example, a toy with sounds designed for an infant makes single, simple sounds, while a toy designed for a child at one year plays a melody with more than one sound involved and, in many cases, is based on classical music, children's sounds, or instrument sounds. In addition, toys that stimulate touch at this point also combine other skills, such as stacking, and, for children one year and older, this is why a blocks set is often a popular first birthday gift.
Types of toys appropriate for a baby first birthday gift include musical toys that make a sound when the child touches or squeezes the toy or that resemble musical instruments like a small xylophone or drum; ride on or push-pull toys; blocks, shape sorters, and puzzles that allow the child to touch and identify various shapes; and dolls or stuffed animals. For parents, in addition, a baby's first birthday gift could include a keepsake gift, much like a memory book or photo album given at a baby shower but specifically designed or themed for the first year onwards. Some of these keepsake items can be a personalized baby's first birthday gift and, as a gift idea, a baby first birthday present can also be personalized clothing that the child will use during the next six to twelve months.
