Best Toys For A 6 Year Old
At age 6, your child is developing new emotional and physical skills so fast it is often hard to keep up!
Although their relationship with you is still their primary focus, they are also building more independence and self-assertion. Children are developing stronger, more meaningful relationships with their friends and teachers, who are now also playing a large role in helping to fulfill their needs.
Although children at age 6 are still quite self-focused, they are definitely much better at understanding other people's emotions. They are incredibly vocal and articulate when it comes to expressing their emotions, sharing stories about their experiences and recalling events from their day. 6 year olds talk a lot and are very fun to be around.
Even though children are better at expressing themselves at this age, they are still struggling to process "big feelings," especially around frustration. They want to master skills quickly and they like to win. When this doesn't happen, they experience frustration that is hard for them to navigate independently.
One big shift in development is their ability to differentiate between imagination and reality. In play, 6 year olds engage in scenarios that include more fantasy and imagination.
You may also notice your child's movements are more controlled and coordinated than ever before. At this age, your child loves to move...and never stops moving!
Enriching and Developmentally Appropriate Toys for Six Year Olds
1. Active Toys are perfect for children who love to move their bodies. 6 year olds love to move and are much better at controlling and coordinating their movements. They need physical outlets, both indoors and outdoors, to promote gross motor development.
2. Open Ended Toys are the perfect tool for imaginative play. Children can use these toys to build anything and everything!
3. Games are great for developing language skills and cooperation skills. There are both competitive and cooperative game options.
4. Complex Puzzles with more pieces are great for this age.
5. Art is a great way for children to process emotions and express themselves. Check out these amazing art options:
6. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) toys are perfect for 6 year olds. Their cognitive abilities have matured and they are able to understand more complex ideas.
