Since he was able to sit up and manipulate objects with his hands, Gavin has demonstrated an ability to think outside the box.

For instance…

When hubby told Gavin not to play with his glasses, he conveniently dropped a blanket over the glasses and “accidentally” picked up the glasses when he attempted to lift the blanket.

When I told him not to play with the switches on the bedside lamp, he sneakily got his toys to do the deed.

When my FIL told him not to play with the tissues, he drooled saliva down his chin so he would have to take a tissue to wipe it up.

When the maid told him he couldn’t walk in the house with his shoes on, he dropped onto all fours and started crawling on his hands and knees.

Although it can be quite annoying when he finds ways to circumvent our instructions, I’ve got to admit that I am secretly pleased to see him thinking outside the box. To further encourage this habit, I have been on the lookout for “IQ” toys (to use the term rather loosely) that can help refine his problem solving skills.

I’ve been searching online and offline for such toys and have discovered a good selection at the following locations:

1. Isetan, KLCC

They carry a brand called Plan Toys which offer a good range of “thinking” toys for children age 2 or 3 and above.

Isetan also stocks some wooden development toys by a brand called Eichhorn.  I bought the following cube toy for Gavin for RM109.  It contains five puzzles in one.  The top is the bead manipulation game which trains the use of his fingers.  The four sides of the cube offer:

1. Abacus
2. Matching patterns (seen below)
3. Shape sorter
4. Peg puzzle

I was actually looking for the bead manipulation game but thought this toy was too good value to bypass.

They also have thes wooden puzzles - although I think they look like they are designed for a much older age group.

Aside from these, I have been thinking of getting him the two-by-two Rubik’s cube which is now selling at Toys ‘R’ Us, although I think RM22 is rather steep to pay for it when you can get the regular three-by-three for RM30.

York House also stocks quite a number of interesting brain development toys, although most of them are for ages 3 and up.

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