objects and simple toys that fit this description can be introduced that early.

This pre-Christmas message came yesterday from paediatric nurse Liz Boden, who has been teaching child development to parents for several years.

The Phoenix Stores consulted Ms Boden and have now set up a special section in their toy department, devoted fully to toys Ms Boden has suggested.

She explained that toys could be instrumental in the learning process of children and stressed that the key was introducing the right type of toy in the right developmental stage of the child.

The new toy lines introduced in the Baby Zone section of the Phoenix feature the various toys Ms Boden advocates for the various levels of child development.

Most are clearly labelled with the appropriate ages but Ms Boden has warned that less is more.

"I want my babies to have toys,'' she said, "but only a few, not too many.'' Several of the items for newborns are conveniently priced under $10, but Ms Boden cautioned that gift-givers should not be too driven by price.

Phoenix sets up Baby Zone "People might feel that they are not spending enough if they buy one of these toys,'' she said, "so they buy five. That is wrong. Too many toys only confuse children.

"If parents bring their children into this toy store and tell them go and play, a young child will not know what to do, there is simply too much here for one child,'' she added.

Pleased with the Phoenix's decision to open a speciality section, Ms Boden said it now means that parents have a wide variety to choose from right here in Bermuda.

"I want my babies to have the toys and I don't want their parents to have to fly away to New York or Raleigh Durham to get them,'' she said.

"I want the parents to be here spending quality time with their babies, that is important.

"There are other stores on the Island that sell some of these items but there's been no focused approach like this one,'' she said.

A keen believer that children should engage in active play and refrain from watching television and videos, Ms Boden explained that many play activities helped develop children's minds in a way that makes later learning easier.

"I like musical toys,'' she said. "They help in wiring the brain of a child.

Through listening to music a part of the brain that is also responsible for solving maths equations is developed.

"The music should be simple and relaxing and the same tune should be repeated as this teaches the child to concentrate.'' Ms Boden also advocates giving books to babies. She says while it does not in those very early stages, help them to read, it does get them to love books.

All purchases made in the new Baby Zone over this weekend will be receive a 15 percent discount.