www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/nov/24/have-toys-got-too-brainy-how-playthings-became-teaching-aids-young-children
For anyone putting pressure on themselves to buy lots of 'educational' singing, light up toys for Christmas for their little ones this article is an interesting read. The toys that are best for brain development are simple, non realistic toys with multiple parts that can be used for different games and allow the play to be 90% child and 10% toy. Big up the duplo, the dolls, and the wooden till.