Which of the following is a purposeful toy for a child aged 9-12 months?

A purposeful toy for a child aged 9-12 months should promote development in areas such as motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social interaction. Playing with blocks aligns perfectly with these developmental milestones. At this age, children are starting to develop their fine motor skills, and manipulating blocks allows them to practice grasping, stacking, and coordinating their hand movements. Additionally, block play encourages spatial awareness and problem-solving skills as they learn about balance and how to create structures.

While talking toys can stimulate auditory development and learning, they may not offer the same hands-on interaction and physical engagement that blocks provide. Stuffed animals can serve as comfort items but do not actively contribute to skill development in the same way that interactive play with blocks does. Puzzles are generally more suitable for slightly older children as they may require a level of fine motor coordination and cognitive understanding that a 9-12 month old may not yet fully possess. Thus, blocks represent a more purposeful choice for this age group, offering opportunities for exploration and developmental growth.