Evidence shows that play contributes to the development of important cognitive, motor, emotional and linguistic skills, and has a key role in raising self-confident, creative, and happy children.

The crochet projects in this collection all have interactive and educational elements that help children meet important developmental milestones in a fun way. Author Svetlana Golova has designed a range of adorable toys which can be played with in different ways to enable children to develop a wide range of skills.

- Sensory Stimulation: Toys with textured fabrics and noise-making elements engage multiple senses.

- Motor Skill Development: Shape sorters, stacking toys, and threading activities promote fine motor skills.

- Cognitive Development: Interactive elements like sliders and flaps encourage problem-solving and curiosity.

- Social and Emotional Development: Engaging in imaginative play with these toys fosters social interaction and emotional expression.

- Language and Literacy: Quiet books and story-based toys spark language development and storytelling skills.

The toys have been designed around popular themes such as farm animals, sea life, dinosaurs and wild animals, and will entertain babies and young children for a number of years. As the child grows older, they will surely become treasured members of a soft toy collection and be passed on through the generations.

All the patterns are written in easy-to-follow US crochet terms, and range from beginner-friendly to more advanced projects so you can gradually build your skills by starting with the simpler designs. No need to worry about complicated stitches or techniques - these toys use basic stitches that are easy to master. Each toy's construction is broken down into simple steps, complete with clear photos to guide you. And if you need a refresher, the General Techniques section has you covered with all the essential crochet know-how.