When picking out a gift for baby, you don't need to be concerned with their wants so much as their needs.

Of course it is fun to buy baby that first toy but there are some other things to consider. Will the toy help to nurture the babies development? Will it stimulate his senses of hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling and touching? After all, as parents, we want our children to be successful and getting an early start on education, or brain stimulation, can give them a leading edge on their development path.

I have come up with a list of toys that are sure to stimulate and educate your baby. They all fulfill a baby's need to have his five senses stimulated in order to complete the necessary nerve connections in the brain.  Since a babies brain grows most during the first year of life, it makes sense to give the most stimulation at this time.

This is one time period in life where learning doesn't cause stress.  Babies don't even realize that they are learning when they are playing with these toys, they are just constantly intrigued and that is fun!

When babies are first born they only see black and white.  To stimulate their vision, toys with a balance of bright high contrast patterns and bold solid colors are just what they need.  All of the toys featured provide just that.

The IQ baby blocks are soft and feather light so baby can stack and knock them over without getting hurt.  Blocks are an important tool for teaching cause and effect and these blocks with the bright colors and eye catching patterns are the perfect set for a baby builder.

Not only does the Einstein Bendy Ball offer visual stimulation but it also has a colorful rattle ball tucked inside for additional sound.  The soft flexible plastic makes it easy for little hands to bend and squeeze.

I love Jacques the Peacock!  His large friendly eyes give baby something to focus on and offer a sense of calm.  He offers visual and auditory stimulation galore with his soft body and busy wings.  There are multiple textures and crinkles to feel.  He even includes a peek-a-boo mirror and squeeker.  This toy was developed in conjunction with child development experts from Yale University and they definitely didn't leave anything out.

For a total baby workout, the Fisher Price Rainforest gym fits the bill.  It stimulates baby with music, lights, nature sounds, games and textures.  This encourages healthy development while entertaining in a magical way.  The rainforest is brought to life with spinning butterflies, a crinkly leaf, a spinner with rattling beads, a shiny mirror, and activity toys.