Consumer Reports on Toys

I have found Consumer Reports to be a really helpful resource on a number of things...car buying, selecting a new washer and dryer, shopping for electronics, and now: baby stuff! Advice from friends is invaluable, and this goes a step beyond - it's resource that helps comparison shop, too. I've been reading all about strollers and monitors. And I came across some helpful info on toys that I'd like to share. While these two articles doesn't necessarily reflect our "toy philosophy" it does help put things in perspective...

The first article has some helpful, general advice about how to find age appropriate toys, what appeals to babies at different ages, and ensuring that toys are safe. It's mostly common sense, but helpful!
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/play-and-activity/stuffed-animals/toys-for-babies-and-young-children-4-07/overview/toys-for-babies-and-young-children-ov.htm

The second article, about "high-tech" toys, seems pretty on the mark with the conclusion that, "children will get far more meaningful stimulation from the sounds of the people, animals, and objects around them." I've already heard from a few of you who have told me "you'll change your mind when the baby comes!" And heck, we might just have to reconsider our plans if he turns out to be a real techie. But even then, we would like to "take it easy" on these types of toys. Even if the baby is appeased for a few moments with such a toy, I'm pretty sure all those bells and whistles will start to drive us nuts pretty quickly. When he's old enough we might introduce a few electronic gadgets, but for the early months I can't imagine he'll learn more from something that beeps and whirs than from us, the garden, and the simple objects around him. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/play-and-activity/stuffed-animals/toys-for-babies-and-young-children-4-07/are-high-tech-toys-worth-it/are-high-tech-toys-worth-it.htm