WHAT ARE PUSH/PULL TOYS ?
Push/pull toys are toys on wheels that move when pulled by a string or pushed by a long handle that resembles a stick. Pull toys have a long string attached to them and are often in the shape of an adorable animal such as a duck, caterpillar, or dog. The animal moves when the string is pulled and sometimes makes a sound suck as a clacking. Push toys can be small and in the shape of an animal such as a duck or large and in the shape of a pram. These toys are great for babies and toddlers who have mastered the motor milestone of walking. The toys also stimulate baby curiosity and benefit babies not yet crawling.
PUSH/PULL TOYS DEVELOP BALANCE AND COORDINATION
A Push Toy
Babies and toddlers benefit from the motor skill activity of pushing and pulling. The benefits include improved balance and coordination. As baby pulls the string on a pull toy she turns in circles and must turn her body to observe the toy. She learns to organize her body movement to allow for the action of pulling something and turning to observe it as she moves. This requires a certain amount of dexterity. Sometimes she shifts her weight onto one leg as she turns which develops balance.
Playing with a push toy, such as the above wooden duck on a stick by Bella Luna Toys, develops spatial awareness. As they push the toy they learn to pay attention to the space in front of them where the toy is moving on the ground. This develops the toddler’s ability to pay attention to what is going on in front of her so she may avoid colliding with other people and objects such as furniture and toys. Children also develop dexterity as they adjust their body and movement in order to maneuver the toy around corners and through doorways.
PUSH/PULL TOYS INVITE MOTOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT
A Pull Toy
Even before baby is able to push or pull the toy herself it can benefit her motor skill development. The novelty of these toys for a baby is that they mysteriously seems to move and then stop. Baby does not understand that her mother is pulling a sting or pushing a stick to create the movement. She is intrigued by these toys. Use a pull toy playfully with baby when she is close to learning the motor skill of crawling. Try placing the toy just out of baby’s reach and then pull on the string to get the toy moving. Baby’s curiosity will motivate her to to go after this moving animal. She may figure out how to crawl one or two “steps” just to reach this toy. Once she takes her first few “steps” she will crawl with more confidence. Please include push/pull toys in your collection of developmental toys for babies and toddlers.