Toys are a real tool in a child’s social, emotional, educational, and physical development. Playing is more than just having fun, it is a child’s primary way of learning and developing the necessary skills he/she will need as they grow. Children begin learning from the day they are born. Even as a newborn with limited vision, a baby will absorb things around him/her. Babies can be comforted by hearing soft and soothing sounds, or the sound of a parent’s voice. An infant thrives on being held and touched because their sensory skills are present at birth.
Children are like little sponges. They are ready to soak up and absorb whatever we expose them to. Therefore it is critical that we choose what toys, books, music, movies and materials we put in front of them. Of course toys should never substitute a parent or caregiver’s love or unconditional attention and nurturing for a child. A parent or caregiver should always engage and/or interact with the younger child.
A carefully chosen toy can have significant benefits for a child. Some suggestions for choosing the right toys :
1.The right toy should nurture a child’s imagination and creativity.
2.The toy should be primarily safe, then fun, age appropriate, and durable. A toy does not have to be expensive or the “most popular toy on television” to be good for your child. It is much more important that it is safe, and that it stimulates and challenges a child without frustrating him/her. Toys should allow and encourage success for a child.
3.Choose toys that can be easily and routinely cleaned. Sanitize toys with a 2-minute contact with a 10% bleach solution. One recommended recipe for doing this is to mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 quart of water. This solution should be mixed fresh every day. Wipe or lightly spray the toys or equipment with this solution and let the items air dry. This is really encouraged when the toy has been exposed to saliva or other body fluids.
4. If we choose a toy that is too challenging or frustrating to a child, it can cause feelings of frustration, and failure. It lessens their motivation to try new things or take new challenges.
Some toys may pose emotional or social risks to a child. Exposure to violence, crime, fighting and killing can encourage a child to imitate such behavior and cause the child to act inappropriately. We need to monitor what we are exposing a child to in everything he/she engages in. We need to be careful when looking at the “Ratings” on video games, movies, and computer games. Many children’s games and movies are rated “For Everyone” and though they may not show extreme violence or vulgar language, there is often many subtle or hidden negative ideas and or themes intertwined in playing or watching them. Some things children see, can promote negative, racial, ethnic or gender stereotypes. The best rule of thumb I have found is to watch the movie, read the book, or engage in the game BEFORE we show it to our children. We as the adults in their lives must take the responsibility to make the judgment as to what we should expose our children to.
It has been recommended that we limit a child’s time spent on video and computer games to less than 1 hour a day. We should only expose For younger children under the age of 5, to age appropriate materials. There are so many wholesome products out there in today’s market that it is much easier to do this. We just need to take the time and make the effort to research which toys are safe, and which ones will encourage the morals, skills, and values that we want in our children’s lives.
Some examples of age appropriateness when choosing the right toys for your child.
1.Birth to 6 Months: Choose toys that stimulate sensory and emotional development. Example: Mirrors, Music, Mobiles, Tummy-Time. Spend time cuddling, massaging, singing, reading, and rocking them. Touching is critical at this stage of development. Make their feedings a calm and pleasant experience for the child.
2.6 to 12 Months: Choose toys that improve eye-hand coordination. Engage them in activities, like, Peek-a Boo, Pat-a Cake, and teach them to wave Bye-Bye. Read to children at this age frequently because it will help to develop their language skills. Children love to imitate things at this age. They will begin to imitate sounds and words that they hear you say.
3.12- 18 Months: Choose toys that begin to develop their fine-motor skills. It is also important to choose toys that strengthen their large muscles to help as he/she begins learning to walk during this stage. Push toys, walkers, etc., help to strengthen the muscles needed for this major development and increases a child’s sense of balance and coordination.
4.18- 24 Months: Choose problem solving toys and games for the child at this age. Puzzles, blocks, dolls, and books that teach a child to recognize and match colors and shapes are vital. Children should be learning to follow simple instructions at this age, and when they do it correctly, hug them, and praise their accomplishments. This will begin to build the child’s self-image and his/her sense of pride in their accomplishments.
5.24-36 Months: Children really begin to master skills at this age. Encourage arts and crafts and things that promote their creativity. Music is such a valuable tool to use with children. Music can help with memory skills, learning a sense of rhythm and is very helpful in developing their language skills even more.
For a list of appropriate and safe toys, I suggest the Goodson and Bronson Resource: “Which Toy for Which Child?” Above all, whatever toys you purchase, you need to spend quality time with your child as he moves from one developmental stage to the next. The moments spent modeling the behavior you want your child to have, the love you want your child to feel and to show you, and exposing them to the role models you want them to imitate, can be the some of the most valuable moments of their formative years. Let yourself enjoy the journey, have fun, and let your inner child come out !
