Babies do not gain long-term benefits from having stimulating toys to play with, researchers say

Toys and books had a major link to children’s development at the time, but the Institute of Education found no significant future associations. The most important factor, especially for mothers with little education, was playing with and talking to their children, said the London institute. The report’s lead author, Leslie Gutman, said toys and books in the home did have an impact on children’s physical coordination and social development. “It just doesn’t have an effect 12 months later,” she said. “To have parents read to their children is much more important than having a hundred books.” Read more at the BBC News website.