Signs of giftedness appear early, as early as infancy. Like all gifted children, gifted babies need stimulation, both sensual and mental. Like all infants, gifted babies learn about the world through their senses, and like all gifted children, gifted infants can become frustrated by a lack of mental stimulation. In fact, they can get fussy when they are forced to sit in the same environment with nothing new to look at. These toys will provide your infant with the stimulation he or she needs.
1. Playnest and Gym
This "nest" is a soft, inflatable activity gym. A soft washable fabric covers an inflatable tube, which can be adjusted as your baby grows. The nest includes a play arch with five soft (and washable) toys that can be rearranged, thereby altering the visual environment, so your baby will not lose interest. The cover, arch, and toys provide plenty of sensory stimulation with their rich colors and varied textures. For ages birth through twenty-four months.
2. Drivetime Mouse
Textures! All children love to explore textures, but for gifted babies with Sensual Overexcitability, this adorable mouse is wonderful. Adding to the fun is a ringing phone. This mouse is machine washable and can be easily attached to a car seat, which gives baby something interesting to do and look at. Stimulation is important for gifted babies. For ages six months and up.
3. Winkel
Babies love to touch and feel and taste. They learn about the world through their senses. The Winkel is a perfect way for them to do some exploring. The colorful, flexible loops make it easy for baby to grab and hold and the rattle entertains them. What makes the Winkel stand out from other such discovery toys is the fact that is also makes a perfect teether. The Winkel can be placed in a freezer and then given to baby. The cold plastic instantly soothes sore gums. For ages six months and up.4. Whoozit Baby Activity Toy
This Whoozit Baby Activity Toy is great for gifted babies who need lots of stimulation. It is made of soft material colorful material with contrasting graphics like stripes. Not only is it interesting to look at, with its hidden noisemakers, it is also fun to listen to. It comes with a strap that allows it to be attached to strollers and carriers.5. Tiny Love 1-2-3 Discovery Lane
This award-winning crawling toy has ten activities to stimulate baby's sensory and motor skill development, perception and cognition. Four padded fabric panels, each with its own set of activities and toys to squeeze, hug, or roll, can be set up three ways. The first set up is a circle, allowing baby to explore before she can crawl. The second set up is a curved lane which encourages baby to crawl and reach. The final cone-shaped set up is for baby when she can sit up. Ages 3 to 18 months.6. Lamaze Grip & Grab Rattle
This rattle is quite unique. It is made up of four clear "bulbs" that form the corners of the pyramid-shaped rattle. The "bulbs" are connected by ribbed plastic bars that provide tactile stimulation for baby. Each corner "bulb" contains small colorful balls that slide through the bars from one bulb to another. Babies seem to love this rattle. Many young toddlers have fun with it as well, making a game getting the balls from one bulb to another.7. Octotunes
Introduce your baby to music! This soft and cuddly octopus will delight baby. It's tentacles ends with a colorful pad that plays a note when it is pushed. Baby can cuddle with it, learn colors from its tentacles and enjoy the different notes played. As baby grows, she can push the tentacles in a specific sequence to play a song. It has an attached handle to make it easy for a toddler to carry it around. For ages birth to three years.8. Mind-Shapes by Wimmer-Ferguson
These soft, award-winning shapes are easy for baby to grab and will provide sight and sound stimulation. Mind-Shapes are mostly black and white with a touch of red, yellow and blue -- perfect colors for baby's developing vision. The four-inch ball, pyramid, and cube are have varied textures and sounds and can be attached a stroller or car seat. Winner of Dr. Toy's 10 Best Educational Products, Oppenheim SNAP Award, Oppenheim Platinum Seal Award, Parenting Magazine's Toys of the Year, Parents' Choice, and Honors Seal. For ages birth to 24 months.9. Lamaze Clutch Cube
This plush cube provides stimulation of the senses with a variety of features on each of its sides. Colorful pictures and black-and-white patterns stimulate sight. Tactile stimulation is provided by the The fleecy and satiny sides as well as the soft and fuzzy or flat and scrathcy handles. When the cube is shaken, it jingles or makes sounds like crinkling paper. Even the sense of smell is stimulated by the cube's apple scent. And when baby is teething, she can chew on the plastic rings. The cube can be surface cleaned. For ages birth and up.10. Fisher-Price Deluxe Sensory Selections Freestanding Bouncer
A bouncer seat is a must for a gifted infant. Baby can sit and bounce and take in the surroundings. When baby gets tired of facing one direction, the bouncer can be turned around. This bouncer has the added benefits of providing sight, sound, and touch stimulation. An overhead arm has a motorized mobile with black and white patterns. Speakers provide the sound stimuli as ten songs plus sounds play. Slots on each side hold interchangeable toys baby can reach for and touch. The bouncer's bright, colorful cover is machine washable.