How does music affect babies?
The tunes and rhymes that make you and your baby sway have a plethora of positive effects on early baby development. Yes, all the sing-alongs pay off in the long run.Your baby is inherently a creative being. And music is in everything. We don't say that in vain, but seriously. Have you noticed how frequently kids make their own songs and rhymes from the words they’ve overheard you speak?
Unknowingly or with intent, they’ve made sentences and added tunes to their play. This shows how, with the support of the melodic medium, they have utilised their language and speech while exercising their memory skills.
Other than elevating your self-esteem, listening to music or singing helps regulate stress levels. The activity releases dopamine and oxytocin. These hormones aid in mood regulation and bonding, respectively.
At the beautiful age of two, your little one is on the journey to experience the world through their fingertips. Exploring and adding sensory elements to memory is what this year is all about.
How can music aid in my 2-year-olds development?
Just as your baby’s curiosity grows, it is essential to grab that window of opportunity with toys that will aid in their overall development. The best musical toys for 2 year olds will boost your child's growth in these ways:- It supports independence.
- It helps kids exercise structure while making music.
- Building motor skills like hand-eye coordination and wrist, palm and finger strength.
- Aids in language development
- Helps parents bond with their babies, encouraging social and emotional development.
- The art of music stimulates creative thinking.
Top Rated Musical Toys for 2 Year Olds 2022
1. Best for Overall Motor Skills: Hape Pound and Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone
Let your little ones' creativity run wild with the Hape Pound and Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone. Designed to encourage motor and cognitive growth, the toy includes various activities that together form one musical set.
Toddlers can practise their hand-eye coordination and learn the concept of impact when they curl their fingers around the hammer and send the balls crashing down onto the xylophone below with a melodic thud. Such musical toys for 2 year olds will keep your baby concentrated on the task at hand while having heaps of fun.
Pros: Non-toxic, Versatile and Establishes Object Permanence.
Cons: Needs keen supervision.
Specification: 23.88 x 13.46 x 14.99 cm; 136.08 Grams
Suitable Age: 6 months+
2. Best for Encouraging Conversations: Sevriza Smart Phone Cordless Feature Mobile Phone Toys
Seeing you interact with your smartphone, it is natural that your tiny tot is driven towards it. This Sevriza Smart Phone grabs your little one's attention from the get-go with a colourful design and features such as animal sounds and other sound effects that introduce them to several languages.
Not only can the soft case be used as a teether to soothe your baby’s gums, but you can also stimulate a call with the numerical buttons on the phone to bond with your little one.
Pros: Odorless, Hygienic, Gentle on gums
Cons: Made of Plastic, Batteries not included
Specification: 20.7 x 12.4 x 2.6 cm; 110 Grams
Suitable Age: 12 months+
3. Best for Hand-Eye Coordination: Woodykraft Wooden Xylophone Musical Toy
"Classics" are classics for a reason. To learn a language, your child needs to understand coordination, and this xylophone does an impeccable job of introducing them to it. Tapping on the colourful keys of the wooden xylophone not only helps your baby grasp the concept of structured rhythm, but also exercises their fine motor skills.
Non-toxic and durable, this is one of the best musical toys for 2 year olds on the market.
Pros: High-Quality Wood, Long Lasting
Cons: Playtime supervision is recommended.
Specification: 25.1 x 13.7 x 3.5 cm; 200 Grams
Suitable Age: 18 months+
4. Best in Pull-Along: Giggles Musical Snail Toy
Here’s a toy that will keep your child entertained for hours. The drum and colourful xylophone on this pull-along snail are meant to inspire kids' imaginations on the go.
The child-safe exterior of the toy supports all-round play. Along with helping your baby learn about cause and effect, this toy is great for fostering the growth of fine motor skills like pincer and palmer grasp, as well as leg muscles, as your child learns to crawl and then walk.
Pros: Versatile, No Batteries required, Sturdy
Cons: Playtime supervision is recommended due to the plastic mallet.
Specification: 19 x 27.5 x 4 cm; 650 Grams
Suitable Age: 18 months+
5. Best for Learning Rhymes: Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Rock and Record Microphone
Sound-producing toys such as these are an excellent choice to encourage children to speak and sing along. The microphone assists in teaching the kids numbers, colours, rhymes, and body parts, all of which are important language milestones for a two-year-old. Parents can efficiently use the toy to build their children's speech by prompting them to create full sentences as they follow along.
The Fisher Price musical toy is truly an investment that will make playtime more fun and interactive.
Pros: Odorless, Hygienic, Gentle on gums
Cons: Made of Plastic, The sound is too soft for adult ears.
Specification: 18.3 x 3 x 7.1 cm; 200 Grams
Suitable Age: 6 months+
6. Best in Developing Social Skills: PATPAT Musical Mat for Kids
Do you know what is portable, makes music fun and stimulates your munchkins' gross motor skills? This little piano toy right here.
The mat caters to kids aged one and above. It promotes overall cognitive and sensory development with its dynamic interactive play and visual training. The mat is waterproof, safe, and shifts into energy-saving mode after a minute of inactivity. You will love having this fun and easy-to-clean toy in your home.
Pros: Supports Overall Development, Versatile, Efficient.
Cons: Playtime supervision is recommended for younger toddlers, Batteries not included.
Specification: 35.7 x 28.6 x 2.7 cm; 279.7 Grams
Suitable Age: 12 months+
7. Best in Wooden Toy: Crocodile Wooden Pull Along Toy
Safe and durable wooden toys are ideal for young toddlers. Babies learn the most with toys that are simple since it helps them focus on the task at hand. The bright crocodile beating the drum keeps them company as they stimulate their motor skills crawling along beside the pull-along toy.
You and your baby will love having this aesthetic piece in their nursery.
Pros: Boosts Independence, Teaches Cause and Effect, Made from Wood
Cons: Might lose the water-based painted colour if washed.
Specification: 150mm x 170mm x 140mm
Suitable Age: 9 months+
8. Best For Sensory Stimulation: Maracas
Here’s the evergreen maraca. Made with safe rubber wood, the toy produces a soothing sound on impact that teaches children about cause and effect.
As they curl their fingers around the wooden maracas, they promote their radical palmer grasp while stimulating their sensory skills. These exercises help them coordinate finger movement efficiently, which is needed for motor development ahead. Your toddler will adore this vibrant musical toy.
Pros: Non-Toxic, Soothing to young ears, Made with wood.
Cons: Playtime supervision is recommended, Avoid washing, simply clean with a damp cloth.
Suitable Age: 3 months+
Things To Consider While Buying Musical Toys For 2 Year Olds?
Although a treasure trove of creativity, there is a lot to take into consideration when choosing the best musical toys for 2 year olds.
- They have to be age-appropriate for your toddler.
- The toys should cater to their developmental milestones.
- The products should be non-toxic because babies are likely to put them in their mouths.
- Toys catered to older kids can be a choking hazard for the younger ones. Hence, search for what fits best for your child.
- The battery compartments of all battery-operated toys should be securely screwed shut.
- Make certain that the volume of your toddler's musical toys isn't too high.
- And lastly, they should be durable, sturdy and safe.
While musical toys for 2 year olds are great for your baby's cognitive and motor development, they are also an amazing way to bond with your tiny tots. Make the most of the tunes, sing along, have a blast, and your little one will too!
Want to learn some new activities and stories to keep your little ones entertained? Head over to the BabyG App to make the most of your munchkin's early development today!
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