Month 8

Purpose of Toys for an 8-Month-Old Baby

At eight months, a baby’s fine motor skills are rapidly advancing, and they are beginning to understand how objects work and relate to each other. The toys for this stage are chosen to support the development of the pincer grasp and the understanding of object use.

Nesting Cups

Nesting cups are a fantastic toy for this age. While your baby may not be able to nest them perfectly yet, they will enjoy banging them together, stacking them (with your help), and exploring how they fit inside each other. This activity helps to develop problem-solving skills and an early understanding of size relationships.

Shape Sorter with Large Pieces

At this stage, a baby’s fine motor skills are developing, and a shape sorter is an excellent way to practice. Start with a shape sorter that has large, simple pieces (like a circle or square) that are easy for them to grasp. The act of trying to fit the shapes into the correct holes helps them develop hand-eye coordination and learn about shapes and spatial relationships.

Ball Drop or Ramp Toy

Toys that involve dropping a ball down a ramp or into a hole are perfect for reinforcing the concept of cause and effect. Your baby will love watching the ball roll down the ramp and disappear, and this helps to develop an understanding of gravity and motion. This type of toy also encourages hand-eye coordination and provides a fun activity for a sitting baby.

Soft Stacking Rings

Soft stacking rings are a classic toy for a reason. They are easy for a baby to grasp and manipulate, and they provide an excellent opportunity to practice putting things on and taking them off a post. This helps to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and an understanding of order and sequence. The different colors and textures of the rings also provide visual and tactile stimulation.