The Great Toy Choice

1. 1

   Around the first birthday, your baby may begin showing clear preferences. Notice whether they repeatedly choose the same toy.

2. 2

   While your baby plays with a familiar favorite, place a different toy nearby and ask, “Here’s another toy. Would you like to try it?”

3. 3

   Whether your baby keeps the first toy or turns toward the new one, accept the choice: “Okay—you decided.”

4. 4

   Across repeated choices, your baby can experience that you notice and respect what they prefer.

What to notice

• Chooses one of the toys offered Sense of Identity and Belonging
• Points toward a toy while making a choice Communicating and Speaking

Tips

• The new toy is not a test of whether your baby remains consistent. It simply offers a chance to compare and explore.
• Offer toys with different textures, shapes, colors, or functions and notice which features repeatedly hold your baby’s interest.

Developmental benefits

• Social/Emotional: Freely choosing between toys and receiving your accepting response gives your baby experience expressing a preference and having their decision respected.