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Stimulate your developing infant’s senses with these baby toys for 6 to 12 months!
The 6 months to 12 months stage in infant growth is amazing! There’s a lot going on, including first steps and first words. As personalities develop, it’s fun to see their humor and interests blossom. Most toys for this age group encourage discovery, visualization, and learning. In addition, and probably most importantly, baby toys for 6 to 12 months can withstand chewing and lots of saliva due to the teething process that typically occurs during this exciting time. At this stage, they also learn how their hands work, along with cause and effect, making mental stimulation a must.
Now then, let’s have some fun!
Electronic Baby Toys for 6 to 12 Months
Electronics have shifted how we learn and play. Infants at this stage are fascinated by flashing lights, sounds, and bright colors. From learning the alphabet to just keeping busy, electronic baby toys for 6 to 12 months can help entertain or educate your little one during this crucial stage of growth.
This adorable robot grows with your child with its different stimulation and education levels. The robot is actually made of three separate robots, each with their own function, and can be stacked together or broken apart. Not only does it boost learning the alphabet, shapes, and numbers, but it’s also motorized, so it moves around, encouraging your new crawler to chase after it for stimulating physical play.
This turtle is so much more than meets the eye (no it’s not a Transformer, sorry to disappoint). First, this turtle supports bilingual learning, with English and Spanish. Second, this toy moves around to encourage crawling as well. In addition, turning and tapping are primary skills that are used to fine-tune motor functions. Lastly, the turtle shell lights up with shapes, alphabets, and numbers to encourage learning throughout the toddler phase as well.
Tablets are becoming a huge must-have nowadays. Instead of risking it with your own tablet, babies can now have their very own educational tablet. In addition to featuring letter learning, shapes, numbers, words, and songs, it also has pretend apps. Little ones can check e-mails and look up the weather, so that they can “work” alongside mom and dad.
Have you ever seen or been the parent that gives their kid an unconnected controller to make them think they’re also playing? Well, now you can channel your infant’s inner geek with this mock gaming controller. Certainly, the controller encourages learning, but the most impressive part to me is how accurate the controller is, with its D-pad, joystick, face buttons, and even a right trigger button!
Like a regular smartphone, this baby toy has several apps that provide learning and social stimulation. Further, the 12 different apps engage your child as they learn the basics, such as numbers, alphabets, and words. Children can also pretend to call home, helping with safe imaginative play. They can also sing along with numerous melodies or listen to instrumental songs (kind of like what adults hear when they’re put on hold). Finally, this phone comes in blue, orange, or pink. Choose wisely!
If you decide to opt-out of the more modern controller or smartphone, you have the option to go retro with this mock Game Boy toy. I’m not talking about a Game Boy Advance either. This duplicates the original Game Boy that even our parents had the pleasure of playing, but with a full color image rather than four shades of green pixels. With cute aspects such as a pretend cartridge and a Tetris-like slider on the side, you can bet your last 1-Up that your little geek will be entertained!
This easy to hold elephant piano is great for those looking for extra-musical modes while also building fine motor skills with the piano keys. In addition, this features different modes that include nursery rhymes and animal noises. Further, each key has a different note and also a different color to help young ones with auditory and color recognition.
This toy is the gold standard in helping your child master crawling. The ball wiggles and rolls around while playing 45 different melodies, sounds, and phrases. Children can press, spin, slide, and twist the animal buttons to learn about different animals and help develop their fine motor skills. Lastly, it comes in two different multicolor options: red and yellow or pink and purple.
Prep your little nerds with the ultimate school-training toy. First, this notebook comes complete with a baby calculator and ruler. Next, it’s teaches the alphabet, shapes, numbers, colors, the weather, and even has a built-in Spanish mode. Lastly, the little gadgets strengthen your child’s fine motor skills. With tons of stuff going on, your baby will have a blast while learning!
Non-Electronic Baby Toys
Although lights, noises, and movement can fascinate babies, there are times when kids need to play quietly, or with toys that don’t require batteries. The best thing about this stage in infancy is that children are constantly learning and will play with anything that they can get their hands on. So, why not turn that curiosity into learning?
Not only do you get blocks and balls, but you also get toy animals and stacking cups. All parts are made with BPA-free, food grade material, so, they can be used for teething and bath toys. The ten multicolored blocks are made with learning in mind, as they have different numbers, animals and patterns on each side. The stacking cups are also great for motor skill development.
What’s better than a toy that entertain babies at home? Toys that can entertain on the go as well. This Baby Einstein clip-on zebra can go wherever a stroller or car seat goes. In addition, the developmental parts of the zebra include a mirror, a see-thru rattle, and various textures and crinkle sounds to stimulate your baby’s senses.
These adorable baby books talk about the tails of various animals. Choose from three options: jungle, farm, or rainforest. Further, these crinkle books are easy to clean (important because we all know how books can get around babies). In addition, there’s also a velcro strap for strollers or car seats for when you want to bring the tail stories with you.
With the emergence of fidget spinners, we introduce to you the ultimate baby spinner. These cute toys have a suction cup to stick on any window. Babies use their hands to spin the toy around, developing motor skills, and getting sensory stimulation. Further, they come in a three pack with a carrot, a bee, and the Sun.
You really can’t go wrong with this sensory block. Each side of the cube is a different texture fabric, including an ultra soft minky side and a crinkle material side. A wooden teething ring and ribbons and tags of various textures provide even more sensory fun!
Active Play Baby Toys for 6 to 12 Months
This stage in life is all about groundwork and transitioning to upright. From tummy-time, sitting, crawling, and first steps, you are sure to be able to find a play mat on here that will grab your baby’s attention during this important time of development.
Want more great ways to keep your little one physically and mentally active? Swing on over to our list of the top activity cubes, activity centers, and more!
First, this play mat is a whopping 44 inches x 58 inches! Second, its material makes it easy to fold and moved to whatever room in the house you need. Also, it’s non-slip, for safe play with babies and parents no matter what kind of floors you have. In addition, the mat features all sorts of colorful and fun designs, including animals, letters, and fruits. This means you can use the mat for teaching even into the toddler stage.
And, unlike other playpens, this one isn’t made with mesh, gauze, or wires. That means, the sides are studier and don’t collapse easily. Further, it measures 47” in diameter and boasts holding 1000 balls, if it is used for a ball pit (here’s a bag of 400 to get you started). Lastly, it’s easily foldable and comes with a carrying bag for convenience.
This super adorable activity mat is giving me Candy Crush vibes. The donut shaped mat along with a popsicle pillow for the head rest is just too sweet (pun fully intended). Plus, the developmental toys (an ice cream cone, pretzel, lollipop, cupcake, and a unicorn with a teether attached) are all delightful. However, if this sweet, sugary look isn’t your thing, you also have the option of getting it in an equally adorable safari theme.
This mat features a piano keyboard for little ones just learning to crawl or walk. It includes tunes, animal sounds, and numbers. Most important, there’s an automatic shutoff for battery conservation and a volume control for the days that you really don’t need to be blasting baby Beethoven throughout the house. Finally, it’s easy to fold and carry around, so you can bring it anywhere.
Brightly colored and soft, this is a wonderful way to develop your child’s motor skills. Great for crawlers and early walkers to practice on without fear of bumps and bruises (adult supervision is required of course). Plus, your child can play with this all through their toddler years too. In addition, it features vegan leather and is Greenguard Gold Certified.
The post Best Baby Toys for 6 to 12 months appeared first on Geek Baby Clothes.
Stimulate your developing infant’s senses with these baby toys for 6 to 12 months!
The 6 months to 12 months stage in infant growth is amazing! There’s a lot going on, including first steps and first words. As personalities develop, it’s fun to see their humor and interests blossom. Most toys for this age group encourage discovery, visualization, and learning. In addition, and probably most importantly, baby toys for 6 to 12 months can withstand chewing and lots of saliva due to the teething process that typically occurs during this exciting time. At this stage, they also learn how their hands work, along with cause and effect, making mental stimulation a must.
Now then, let’s have some fun!
Electronic Baby Toys for 6 to 12 Months
Electronics have shifted how we learn and play. Infants at this stage are fascinated by flashing lights, sounds, and bright colors. From learning the alphabet to just keeping busy, electronic baby toys for 6 to 12 months can help entertain or educate your little one during this crucial stage of growth.
This adorable robot grows with your child with its different stimulation and education levels. The robot is actually made of three separate robots, each with their own function, and can be stacked together or broken apart. Not only does it boost learning the alphabet, shapes, and numbers, but it’s also motorized, so it moves around, encouraging your new crawler to chase after it for stimulating physical play.
This turtle is so much more than meets the eye (no it’s not a Transformer, sorry to disappoint). First, this turtle supports bilingual learning, with English and Spanish. Second, this toy moves around to encourage crawling as well. In addition, turning and tapping are primary skills that are used to fine-tune motor functions. Lastly, the turtle shell lights up with shapes, alphabets, and numbers to encourage learning throughout the toddler phase as well.
Tablets are becoming a huge must-have nowadays. Instead of risking it with your own tablet, babies can now have their very own educational tablet. In addition to featuring letter learning, shapes, numbers, words, and songs, it also has pretend apps. Little ones can check e-mails and look up the weather, so that they can “work” alongside mom and dad.
Have you ever seen or been the parent that gives their kid an unconnected controller to make them think they’re also playing? Well, now you can channel your infant’s inner geek with this mock gaming controller. Certainly, the controller encourages learning, but the most impressive part to me is how accurate the controller is, with its D-pad, joystick, face buttons, and even a right trigger button!
Like a regular smartphone, this baby toy has several apps that provide learning and social stimulation. Further, the 12 different apps engage your child as they learn the basics, such as numbers, alphabets, and words. Children can also pretend to call home, helping with safe imaginative play. They can also sing along with numerous melodies or listen to instrumental songs (kind of like what adults hear when they’re put on hold). Finally, this phone comes in blue, orange, or pink. Choose wisely!
If you decide to opt-out of the more modern controller or smartphone, you have the option to go retro with this mock Game Boy toy. I’m not talking about a Game Boy Advance either. This duplicates the original Game Boy that even our parents had the pleasure of playing, but with a full color image rather than four shades of green pixels. With cute aspects such as a pretend cartridge and a Tetris-like slider on the side, you can bet your last 1-Up that your little geek will be entertained!
This easy to hold elephant piano is great for those looking for extra-musical modes while also building fine motor skills with the piano keys. In addition, this features different modes that include nursery rhymes and animal noises. Further, each key has a different note and also a different color to help young ones with auditory and color recognition.
This toy is the gold standard in helping your child master crawling. The ball wiggles and rolls around while playing 45 different melodies, sounds, and phrases. Children can press, spin, slide, and twist the animal buttons to learn about different animals and help develop their fine motor skills. Lastly, it comes in two different multicolor options: red and yellow or pink and purple.
Prep your little nerds with the ultimate school-training toy. First, this notebook comes complete with a baby calculator and ruler. Next, it’s teaches the alphabet, shapes, numbers, colors, the weather, and even has a built-in Spanish mode. Lastly, the little gadgets strengthen your child’s fine motor skills. With tons of stuff going on, your baby will have a blast while learning!
Non-Electronic Baby Toys
Although lights, noises, and movement can fascinate babies, there are times when kids need to play quietly, or with toys that don’t require batteries. The best thing about this stage in infancy is that children are constantly learning and will play with anything that they can get their hands on. So, why not turn that curiosity into learning?
Not only do you get blocks and balls, but you also get toy animals and stacking cups. All parts are made with BPA-free, food grade material, so, they can be used for teething and bath toys. The ten multicolored blocks are made with learning in mind, as they have different numbers, animals and patterns on each side. The stacking cups are also great for motor skill development.
What’s better than a toy that entertain babies at home? Toys that can entertain on the go as well. This Baby Einstein clip-on zebra can go wherever a stroller or car seat goes. In addition, the developmental parts of the zebra include a mirror, a see-thru rattle, and various textures and crinkle sounds to stimulate your baby’s senses.
These adorable baby books talk about the tails of various animals. Choose from three options: jungle, farm, or rainforest. Further, these crinkle books are easy to clean (important because we all know how books can get around babies). In addition, there’s also a velcro strap for strollers or car seats for when you want to bring the tail stories with you.
With the emergence of fidget spinners, we introduce to you the ultimate baby spinner. These cute toys have a suction cup to stick on any window. Babies use their hands to spin the toy around, developing motor skills, and getting sensory stimulation. Further, they come in a three pack with a carrot, a bee, and the Sun.
You really can’t go wrong with this sensory block. Each side of the cube is a different texture fabric, including an ultra soft minky side and a crinkle material side. A wooden teething ring and ribbons and tags of various textures provide even more sensory fun!
Active Play Baby Toys for 6 to 12 Months
This stage in life is all about groundwork and transitioning to upright. From tummy-time, sitting, crawling, and first steps, you are sure to be able to find a play mat on here that will grab your baby’s attention during this important time of development.
Want more great ways to keep your little one physically and mentally active? Swing on over to our list of the top activity cubes, activity centers, and more!
First, this play mat is a whopping 44 inches x 58 inches! Second, its material makes it easy to fold and moved to whatever room in the house you need. Also, it’s non-slip, for safe play with babies and parents no matter what kind of floors you have. In addition, the mat features all sorts of colorful and fun designs, including animals, letters, and fruits. This means you can use the mat for teaching even into the toddler stage.
And, unlike other playpens, this one isn’t made with mesh, gauze, or wires. That means, the sides are studier and don’t collapse easily. Further, it measures 47” in diameter and boasts holding 1000 balls, if it is used for a ball pit (here’s a bag of 400 to get you started). Lastly, it’s easily foldable and comes with a carrying bag for convenience.
This super adorable activity mat is giving me Candy Crush vibes. The donut shaped mat along with a popsicle pillow for the head rest is just too sweet (pun fully intended). Plus, the developmental toys (an ice cream cone, pretzel, lollipop, cupcake, and a unicorn with a teether attached) are all delightful. However, if this sweet, sugary look isn’t your thing, you also have the option of getting it in an equally adorable safari theme.
This mat features a piano keyboard for little ones just learning to crawl or walk. It includes tunes, animal sounds, and numbers. Most important, there’s an automatic shutoff for battery conservation and a volume control for the days that you really don’t need to be blasting baby Beethoven throughout the house. Finally, it’s easy to fold and carry around, so you can bring it anywhere.
Brightly colored and soft, this is a wonderful way to develop your child’s motor skills. Great for crawlers and early walkers to practice on without fear of bumps and bruises (adult supervision is required of course). Plus, your child can play with this all through their toddler years too. In addition, it features vegan leather and is Greenguard Gold Certified.
The post Best Baby Toys for 6 to 12 months appeared first on Geek Baby Clothes.
Solo travel can be exhilarating and also terrifying. Instagram and YouTube are great resources for travel inspiration, but they often only show the glamorous side. With misogyny being a global problem, women face many barriers when solo traveling. Yet on top of worrying about strange men, women of color often have to face racism and bigotry. Therefore, community is so important when it comes to solo traveling. This might sound like a contradiction, yet the concept of community has become a part of the solo travel experience. One person who understands this importance is Sheldon Louis. As featured in TravelNoire, he created the Solo Traveler Group on WhatsApp. An invite-only group with over 150 members is a virtual space where travelers from all walks of life can give each other support as they cross the globe.
Born in Florida and of Caribbean descent, traveling was something Louis grew up with and is an integral part of his life. Through an exchange of emails, Sheldon and BGN discussed the conversations around safety he’s seen in his travel group.
Tell me about your WhatsApp group. How and why did you start it, and how have you seen it help travelers, particularly female travelers?
I started this group because I felt there was a need for a real-time community for solo travelers, and I didn’t see one for us. I’ve seen the group help travelers in a multitude of ways, especially for female travelers. The idea of traveling alone might be uneasy or scary for women, and this group has helped eliminate some of that fear. For instance, someone in the group created a super useful doc where people can voluntarily share their upcoming travel plans to connect and meet up with other travelers.
What makes your group different from other Facebook groups, Telegram groups, etc.?
The main difference with this group (compared to other travel groups on Facebook and Telegram) is that real-time interactions and conversations are at the forefront of the Solo Travel group. This makes communication among group members seamless, despite them being in different regions or time zones. Other platforms and groups focus on content, while this one focuses on communication.
What are some common challenges you’ve seen addressed in the group, especially for WOC?
One common challenge I’ve seen addressed in the group, especially for WOC, is the discomfort that comes with traveling alone. A perfect example is when one WOC solo traveler openly asked if anyone wanted to go to India in the spring. She shared that she was kind to head to India alone as a woman. Her openness led to another woman in the group saying that she’d be interested in joining along. This is what it’s all about with creating a community like this, open communication, and making solo travel easier for everyone.
Tell us about some of the conversations around the safety of female-identifying solo travelers?
There have been some valuable conversations as it relates to overall safety, especially for female-identifying solo travelers. One recurring conversation, in particular, is the hotel vs. Airbnb question. This topic was brought up when someone asked if booking an Airbnb as a first-time solo traveler was the right move.
Some WOC solo travelers share their personal travel experiences, both good and bad. One solo traveler, in particular, shared how much harassment she faced in a country she traveled to as a WOC traveler, and it helped shed light on the topic and country. This resulted in people sharing recommendations, like hiring a trusted tour guide and getting a driver. On the contrary, other solo travelers have shared positive experiences they’ve had in countries as well.
There are conversations centered on tips when traveling solo especially as a WOC, such as being aware of your surroundings, not having tons of flashy jewelry or an expensive smartphone, not hanging out of a window while you’re in a vehicle, etc.
Going beyond the information that Louis has shared, having a place for female travelers to share the ugly side of traveling alone can be incredibly healing. When a scary or even traumatic moment happens abroad, it can be easy to slip into isolation. Thinking you’re the only one that moment has happened to. Knowing you are not alone in a struggle is the ultimate source of empowerment.
What are some common safety tips you’ve seen shared in the group?
- Don’t tell people you’re traveling alone.
- Know a few different routes to/from wherever you’re staying
- Know where emergency services are, especially hospitals/pharmacies.
- Always check the license plate before getting in an uber.
- Make connections with the host or hotel personnel and ensure you meet them during your trip.
- Consider using the STEP program for US citizens abroad.
- Get travel insurance for the year or for an upcoming trip.
- Look up the address and area of your hotel or Airbnb accommodation. Reading previous/recent reviews.
What are three of the most important things WOC should remember when they take a trip?
(1) Do your research. It’s important to ask yourself questions like, “Has this country/ location been a problem for other WOC in the past? Are there any current safety risks happening in this particular location? Is dress code a factor in this country, or does it not matter as much?”
(2) Be visible/vocal. Always let someone you trust know what your plans are and where you’re going.
(3) Basic is sometimes better.When you dress too fancy or extremely different from the culture or population, you can become an easy target for scammers. I am guilty of being sometimes “too fresh or flashy”, and I have to remind myself that it’s better to tone it down. Avoid appearing like a tourist and leave the valuables at home.
What’s been the best part of creating and managing your Whatsapp group?
The best part about creating and managing my WhatsApp group is the discourse and the growing companionship. I love how the solo traveler group has become an open forum where people start conversations on numerous topics or ask general questions. For instance, some people ask for recommendations about upcoming countries they’re planning to visit, some people share their upcoming travel plans to see if anyone else will be in the area. The group really has taken on a life of its own.
Overall, I want people to know that this group is an open space and a judgment-free zone. The idea of traveling alone can sometimes be daunting and a barrier for people, especially for those who are WOC and/or LGBTQ+.
My goal with this group is to make that idea or decision a “not so hard one” for current and aspiring solo travelers, especially those who identify as WOC. The group is invite-only, but if anyone is interested in joining, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Instagram, @swipeszn!
Auteur Indie director Janicza Bravo doesn’t just want a seat at the table. She wants to design the place settings. She wants to challenge the other diners while making the table accessible and beautiful. She doesn’t want a hand up. She wants objectors to get out of her way. Bravo may have had her background in the theater, but her vision was made for the screen. She has a style all of her own, and this awards season, Janicza Bravo makes good on her potential with her latest film, Zola.
In March of 2022, awards season is upon us and Zola is a contender for several Independent Spirit Awards and has also snagged 9 nominations for the Black Reel Awards. Awards season can be a conflicting time for film creators. BGN sat down with Bravo over the phone on February 18, 2022, to discuss her thoughts on awards, some of her directorial choices on Zola, and expose why it deserves to be seen as a piece of art.
Some creatives have complicated feelings about awards. Some people think it’s great to be recognized for their hard work, while others believe they’re playing into the “machine.” Where do you fall on that spectrum?
You know, I’ve been making work for quite some time, and most of the work I’ve made has gone ignored or dismissed. I’m not really hanging my hat on this, but that said, the measure of the award, the tangible award, is you walk into a room, and something becomes easier by 5 or 10%. Do I want to wear a really cool outfit and stand in front of a bunch of people and say really smart words that make me sound really f*cking sexy? Sure, sure! But I’d also like to think that there is a breath of a career in front of me.
What keeps you grounded when considering the road-blocks?
I have to remind myself to do a gut check. Pedro Almodóvar never got a TV deal, you know? David Lynch made tons of movies that have changed my life that most people thought were freak sh*t. Rainer Fassbinder is one of the reasons I thought I could be a director and nobody ever knew who he was in Hollywood. When I can remind myself of that, it’s super helpful. I’m ultimately less concerned with prizes. I just want the road to be a little easier. I want to stop auditioning in every room that I walk into.
What was the connection you felt to the story of Zola and to Aziah King?
My job beyond my job, which, yes, to direct the film, was to protect this woman. Protect Aziah King who told this story. Part of directing is to protect my actors, and make sure they feel heard and cared for.
One of the stories behind the original script, and directors is the initial draft and ideas felt exploitative. I believe it speaks volumes when you say it was a priority to take care of [King], because it’s so easy to become manipulated in her position.
Absolutely! I think there’s a juicy conversation to be had around what our responsibility is when we work with real people and use their life as part of our storytelling. I have a lot to gain from doing a good job. I could easily walk away when the project wrapped and say my goodbyes, but there’s something transactional [in those relationships]. I felt I owed [King] and that we were forever tethered.
I can think of several examples where a director had the opposite idea and lesser success.
Listen, I’m not going to give examples because it’s going to look like I’m trying to start some rap war! Don’t get me wrong, we love a rap war, but it’s Black History Month; who has the time?
And this Black History Month people have been trying it so I won’t ask you to contribute to the messiness this time! Instead, was there a scene that you really loved in Zola?
In the whole film? I would say it’s what I refer to as “@Stephanie” which is Riley Keough’s retelling of the film basically. I would say it was one of my favorites only because I laughed. I generally do not laugh, like, we’re making a movie, what are we laughing about? Also, there’s usually always something stressful happening. But we laughed the entire time shooting her version of the story, and it was one of those moments that I thought I can’t believe I’m getting away with this.
Were there any scenes or setups that presented a challenge for you? What did you do to overcome it?
I could point to any scene in the film and tell you something about it! But off the top of my head, editorially, it was the sex montage. The sex montage is ultimately about looking at how this is our filthiest moment in the movies, but it’s also in the movie where you have to lay out all of the cards. We actually have to show the thing we’ve been talking about. How do we earn the male nudity in this film without turning off the audience – where the audience feels the film has earned it?
On the one hand, you want to take care of the audience, on the other, you want to challenge them to analyze their boundaries.
Right. There were people in the audience who are women who have done this work. I felt I had to take care of them first. And if I don’t show it like it is, they’re going to really feel the pain.
Where on earth did you find the girls in stuck cars videos?
Car Stuck Girls is something I’ve loved for a very long time. I don’t remember my exact introduction to it except that it was something that my first roommate after college loved and we used to make our own version of them. We didn’t have a car so we would do stuck girls and like bicycles or a cart, just really dumb, dumb sh*t. But it was a kink that immediately fascinated me and one of those kinks that makes you feel like – oh, the world is so much larger than I understand.
Would you say you have any directorial easter eggs that you put into your films? Is there anything Classic Janicza?
I think my photography. I tend to shoot in the proscenium. I really like hanging out in the wide. I’m not gonna go for the close-up, or tons of coverage. It’s not that I don’t like the close-up, I just like to think globally, so I’m really attracted to the juicy wide. In the theater, if you’re in the audience and you’re watching the performer, you don’t get a close-up. There’s no shot in Zola that is arbitrary. The film is littered with surprises for repeat viewers.
You can find Bravo’s work on episodes in popular series like In Treatment, Them, and Atlanta. Next, she’ll be directing an adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Beloved. Zola is currently available to watch on Showtime or VOD.