The role of nurturing in developing a babys intelligence has received a great deal of attention in the past few years. Some parents go so far as to play Mozart and Beethoven to their child while it's still in the womb. On the other hand, simple objects are being passed off as educational baby toys because it's a good marketing ploy. But truly educational baby toys can indeed cultivate an early appreciation for complexity and problem solving.


Creative stimulation
The opportunity to be creative is important in developing a childs nascent intellectual skills. Educational baby toys that promote interaction are an essential part of that process. Sitting your baby in front of a television may provide visual stimulation, but there's precious little interaction taking place in that atmosphere.

Puzzles and matching games are wonderful baby learning toys that will promote a greater awareness of a babys surroundings. Educational baby toys that require recognition of shapes and colors and patterns are also beneficial playing tools.

Music has long been recognized as playing a key role in baby learning toys. Look for educational baby toys that will promote the creative stimulation acquired through music, such as sing along books, learning laptops, or even simple musical instruments.

Reading
Few habits will play such an important role in your childs intellectual development as reading. Books are the original educational baby toys, and books can open up huge new worlds of wonder, discovery, and emotional power for your child.

Books are baby learning toys that promote interaction - between your baby and the book, but also between you and your baby. Educational baby toys should inspire imagination and a sense of wonder, and books are perfectly suited for both of those things.

Books needn't be incredibly challenging to have a positive impact. Starting your child off with books about colors, sounds, and animals would be a great beginning.

Baby Einstein toys
Baby Einstein toys have become the leading educational baby toys since the Baby Einstein company was founded in 1997. Baby Einstein's mission was to provide age-appropriate educational baby toys that would also promote a love of art, classical music, language and poetry.

Many of Baby Einstein's products draw their name from a particular artist or scientist, such as Mozart, Wordsworth, or Galileo. The Baby Monet Discovering the Seasons DVD, for example, focuses on the sights and sounds of the seasons, incorporating musical tracks from classical composer Antonio Vivaldi.

The Baby Einstein Sing and Learn line of educational baby toys features soft, plush animal puppets that sing lullabies or speak the alphabet, making them perfect for younger children.