This is because girls have leeway in American society that boys do not ... Being comfortable with certain types of toys may also shape kids’ confidence in specific subjects, adds Auster.

During this time, your baby boy will be increasing his communication ... Boys tend to be a little rougher with their toys than girls, so you may want to select more durable toys.

Toys that were gendered tended to focus on occupations the child might have in the future - baby dolls for girls, or building blocks for boys. But by the 1990s, things started to shift ...