In light of the recent scare involving lead contaminated toys, I decided to conduct an experiment. I placed my daughter on the floor (her favorite pastime is rolling or scooting from one end of the floor to the next), placed a wooden spoon and a brightly colored plastic something or other in front of her, then stood back to see which object she would go for. The wooden spoon was in her mouth in less than 5 seconds, and she was gnawing away and looking pretty satisfied. Ok, ok…I know, not a very scientific experiement. Perhaps she went for the spoon because she’s teething. Currently she likes anything that she can put in her mouth…which is EVERYTHING! But I wrote this to make a point, one that focuses on her satisfaction with the mundane, simplicity, and not the gadgets and trends. She doesn’t really know the difference. If I choose not to purchase the big shiny plastic contraptions with the whistles and “beep-beeps,” she would probably be content with banging away on a pot or pan with her favorite wooden spoon 
Sure your experiment is not “scientific” but it’s no less persuasive. Especially since it’s already what I believe. I’m always surprised by the pressure from others to get things for the child. That’s just not me — I can’t imagine suggesting to my friends that they “need” to buy XYZ for their child. Let your daughter play with wooden spoons, pots, pans, empty paper towel ring, etc. It’ll be soon enough that she’s 10 and dying to have things - -the price of which will make your head spin!
Hi Amina’s Mama,
I haven’t had to buy many toys because they were passed down from my 2-yr old niece. Together they have a ton of toys, and when we put them in the playroom they only play with the same few toys every time. So we started paring down and getting rid of some. And they both like playing with “non-toy” items…like the empty paper towel ring. My niece uses it for a microphone, and my daughter bangs with it…or tries to eat it
p.s. love your site!
Your daughter is soo cute! Let her play with those wooden spoons, she’s using her imagination and saving you tons of money!
thanks Sheena!
Your daughter is TOTALLY adorable:)
why thank you.
yes, she’s my cutie patootie!
She is such a gorgeous baby!!! That picture of her alone should make every parent rush out to buy wooden spoons for their little ones
LOL! yes, i personally recommend wooden spoons for all babies.
I like the experiment. My daughter would gnaw on anything she could get her hands on.
In our house wood trumps plastic toys any day. I try to avoid plastic as much as possible.