CHILDREN AND TOYS
WHAT ARE EDUCATIONAL TOYS?
Playing is important to children.
It is the way they practice growing up. Toys are the tools children
use in play. Toys can be purchased, or they may be as simple as
kitchen pan lids or paper sack puppets. Anything children can
play with safely can be a toy. In fact, you may have watched infants
open presents and noticed that they spent more time playing with
the ribbon and wrapping than with the toy inside.
Try to remember two or three
of your favorite toys. Were they ones you created yourself or
ones someone made for you?
Toys can be divided into several
groups, depending on the part of the child it helps to develop.
* Toys for physical or muscle
development such as wagons, bikes, boxes, puzzles, blocks, brooms,
and shovels.
* Toys for sensory (touch, sight, sound, taste, smell) development
such as water toys, musical instruments, bubbles, play dough,
and sand toys.
* Toys for make-believe and social development such as dolls,
dress-up clothes, cars, trucks, games, and books.
* Toys for creative and intellectual development such as clay,
crayons, paints, books, paper, and scissors.
Sometimes toys fit into more
than one category. A wagon can help develop children's muscles
and also be used as the "ambulance" in a hospital game.
Children need a balance of toys from each of these groups to ensure
their whole development.
WHY ARE EDUCATIONAL TOYS IMPORTANT?
Children need to have direct
experience with the world in order to make sense of and learn
about it. Have you ever thought about all the things children
learn after they are born? They learn how to talk, sit up, walk,
and run. They learn what things are and how they work. They learn
about people and the world. They learn all of these things by
playing with toys.
For example, babies are not born knowing
about gravity. They do not know that anything dropped will fall
to the floor. They learn this, by playing with toys. Infants may
accidentally let go of a rattle and notice that it falls to the
floor. When you give it back, they may deliberately drop it to
see if it falls again. Sure enough, it hits the floor! They enjoy
the game "drop the toy" for as long as you are willing
to play. Soon everything in their grasp becomes a toy for dropping
- bottles, spoons, balls, and even bowls of food. They practice
this "experiment" and play this game with everything
they touch. They understand about gravity because they have actually
experienced it with their toys.
Toys are important for other
reasons, too. Children exercise their muscles with toys. Next
time you see children rocking horses or riding bikes, notice the
muscles they are using.
Think of the coordination and
balance they practice when they climb to the top of the jungle
gym or the muscle control they develop when they put one more
block on the tower without it falling down. All these necessary
skills are developed easily through toys.
Toys also invite children to
create and use their imaginations. Give an empty cardboard box
to a child and watch all the things it becomes - a train, house,
or cage at the zoo. Children start many play times with "Let's
pretend..." and toys encourage this.
Children gain self-confidence
as they play with toys. As children master their toys - as they
finish a puzzle, ride a trike, or blow a bubble - they develop
a sense of power. They say, "I can do this. Look at me."
As a caregiver, you often may find children want to show you what
they can do with their toys. It is important to recognize their
accomplishments. When an adult pays attention to children's play,
they feel worthwhile and gain self-confidence. Their self-concepts
grow stronger.
Along with building self-esteem,
toys can be the basis for friendships. Toys like teeter-totters
only work when children cooperate. Projects like building sand
castles go faster with friends.
Children often talk more easily
to one another over toys. Playing with toys in a group helps children
discover how others think and feel and what brings approval or
disapproval. They learn what happens when they share the truck
they are playing with or when they refuse to share and the truck
is taken from them.
With toys, children can use energy
and discover emotions. Children have lots of energy. It may not
be okay for them to use their energy to jump on the bed, but it
is almost always okay for them to use it to ride a trike or bike.
Toys also are useful as a way to deal with working through emotional
conflict or anger. Splashing water or pounding play dough can
help children release tension.
TV AS A TOY FOR CHILDREN
Children and caregivers sometimes
use television as a toy. In fact, studies show that children watch
an average of 30 hours of television a week, and many people feel
that is too much.
The time children spend watching
television is passive time. It is time that children could be
using to do something active. Remember how children need to be
actively involved with real things in order to develop their muscles
and their minds? This usually does not happen with television.
A moderate amount of television
can lead to fun learning experiences for children. The secret
is to balance television time with other activities and to help
children get the most out of that television time. There are several
ways to do this.
* Check with children's parents
to see if there are any family rules about how much television
the children can watch or what programs they are allowed to view.
Always follow these rules.
* As a caregiver, do not use the television set to do the caring
for you. You need to pay attention to the children and spend time
with them. This can mean talking about what is real and what is
pretend; explain how stunts are done; or ask about their reactions
to what they see. Even a 3-year-old can discuss simple ideas about
television programs. This helps them participate in what they
are watching instead of being inactive.
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AGES AND STAGES OF EDUCATIONAL
TOYS
Some toys are better choices
for children than others. When children come to you and say, "I
don't have anything to do!", you can help them choose a toy
or game. But, what makes a toy a good choice?
First, look at the children themselves.
How old are they? What interests do they have? What do they like
to do? Judge an idea that you have for a toy by asking:
* Is it safe? In the ages and
stages to follow we will discuss what safety means for a particular
age. Always keep in mind that any toy can be unsafe if it is misused.
For example, roller skates are unsafe if they are worn to go up
and down stairs. Toys that are safe for one age may be unsafe
for a younger age. As a caregiver, you need to make sure a 6-year-old's
marbles cannot be reached by a 1-year-old.
* Does it capture the child's interest? Is it attractive? Children
automatically play with a good toy; they do not have to be forced
or tricked into it. Toys that can be used in a variety of ways
keep children's interest longer than those with only one use.
Will they think the toy is fun? Is the toy appropriate for their
age and abilities?
* Can the child use it alone or is another person needed? Children
need to have both kinds of toys.
* What kind of activities will it encourage? If you want to settle
children down, books or puzzles are better choices than balls.
Once you and the child have selected
a toy, there are five simple "rules of play" to be aware
of as a caregiver.
1. Watch children without interrupting
their play and make-believe games. Observe their interests and
skill levels. What toys are their favorites? Why?
2. Ask children to tell you about
what they are doing. Do not judge their projects.
3. Join in and play at the child's
level. Let the child lead. If you try to add ideas too quickly,
it might confuse the child and disappoint you.
4. After playing for awhile at
the child's pace, introduce a slightly more difficult stage of
play. For example, if a child can build a tower of five blocks,
encourage him or her to try seven. Show the child how to use cars
with the blocks by making the tower a garage.
5. Watch again to see if and
how the child explores this new way to use a toy. After children
learn to do something new by themselves, you can get involved
again and suggest another new activity.
People who study children's play
have found that when caregivers play with them and slightly expand
on what the children are doing, the quality of the play improves.
Children learn more from playing and enjoy it more. As you read
the following suggestions on toys for different ages, remember,
there are no perfect lists of toys. Also, remember that it is
important to choose toys based on a child's particular age and
interests.
INFANTS AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS
Infants need bright-colored toys
of many textures. They should be washable, non-breakable, and
have no sharp edges that might cut or scratch. Toys should be
large enough so they cannot be swallowed and they should have
no small attached pieces (like eyes on a stuffed animal or bells
on a shaker) that could be pulled off and swallowed. At this age,
babies put everything into their mouths as part of exploring their
worlds. Any toy they are given must be safe when used in this
way.
Infants are interested in looking
at toys, touching them with their hands and mouth, fitting pieces
of things together and making sense of their worlds. Choose toys
for them to look at, feel, chew on, hold, and drop. As infants
begin to walk or crawl, they also will be interested in push-pull
toys and balls. Appropriate infants toys include: rattles, squeak
toys, blocks, crib mobiles, stacking toys and rings, push-pull
toys, stuffed animals or dolls, nested boxes or cups, books with
rhymes, simple picture books, noise making toys, small soft toys
for throwing, strings of beads (large, plastic), and music-making
toys.
How you can help
1. Be understanding when you
play with infants. Play with them for short periods of time so
they will not get overly excited. Babies do not understand or
enjoy teasing. For example, when they reach for a toy, let them
get it instead of dangling it then snatching it away. Teasing
frustrates babies and may make them cry.
2. Play "pat-a-cake, peek-a-boo"
and simple games with infants.
3. Let babies play with your
fingers and hair.
TODDLERS
AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS
Toddlers are active and enjoy
climbing, running, and jumping. They need toys to meet these needs.
They also are interested in doing things with their hands as the
small muscles in their fingers become more developed. However,
toys for this age group should be simple and require little coordination.
During this period, toddlers become interested in playing with
others and in imitating grown-up activities. Toys like dress-up
clothes are great for this!
As a caregiver, be careful about
imposing sex stereotypes on toddlers' toy choices. Boys will sometimes
show interest in dolls or want to be "the mommy." Girls
may want trucks or to be "Superman." That is okay. This
exploration is normal and necessary for them to learn about the
world.
Toddlers also are interested
in sensory materials such as paint, play dough, crayons, and chalk.
They usually are not interested in drawing or painting a specific
object. They like to scribble and mix colors. When talking to
young children about their creations, it is better to say "Tell
me about your picture," rather than "What is it?"
Toddler's still put toys in their
mouths, so you will need to watch for objects with small parts.
Also, watch out for items, such as paint and chalk, as toddlers
think it is great fun to eat these! Toys should be sturdy and
should not have sharp edges or points. Toddlers enjoy balloons,
but caregivers should be careful to keep uninflated or broken
balloons out of reach. A child could suffocate if these are swallowed.
Appropriate Toddler Toys
push-pull toys
pedal toys
truck/cars big enough to ride
wagons
balls and bean bags
balloons (with close supervision) swings
climbing structures
books with simple stories
blocks
peg boards
puzzles
creative materials (crayons, playdough, paint)
water play toys
simple dress-up clothes
dolls and stuffed animals
boxes
How you can help
1. Play pretend games with children.
For example, create a traffic jam with the toy cars they use.
Make believe you are animals like kittens, dogs, or horses.
2. Play tag, bounce, or catch
with balls or bean bags.
3. Play follow-the-leader or
design a toddler-size obstacle course.
4. Let children imitate your
activities such as sweeping the floor.
PRESCHOOLERS AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS
This is a dramatic and creative
age. Many conversations between preschool-age friends start with
"Let's pretend...." Children become social. They become
interested in playing with each other instead of preferring to
play alone. Many toys become props for cooperative play.
Preschool-age children also are
interested in active physical play. They have more control of
their muscles at this age and this can be seen in the move from
a tricycle to a two-wheel bike. Preschoolers also are increasingly
curious about the world around them. They enjoy realistic toys
such as farm and animal sets, grocery store prop boxes, model
cars, and trains.
As hand coordination increases,
so does the child's interest in simple construction sets and more
difficult puzzles. They can manage more difficult creative projects,
and enjoy cutting and simple sewing projects, in addition to the
paint and play dough of earlier stages. Since children at this
age also are busy learning to read and write, give them play equipment
that encourages these interests.
You may notice that preschool
children play with many of the same toys as toddlers, but do so
in different ways. As a caregiver, encourage them to be creative
and to experiment. There are fewer safety concerns in this stage,
but sharp or cutting toys and electrical toys are still too dangerous.
Appropriate Toys for Preschoolers
puppets
farm and community play sets
transportation vehicles of all types
simple construction toys
creative materials
books and records
wheel toys
sleds
simple musical instruments
boxes
climbing structures
prop boxes
water play toys
puzzles
balls
cognitive games
dress-up clothes
housekeeping props
dolls and stuffed animals
character toys
How you can help
1. Get a book on puppets from
your local library, and make or help the child make a puppet.
Then act out a scene.
2. Act out fairy tales or other
children's stories. *The Three Bears*, *The Three Billy Goats
Gruff*, and *Caps for Sale* are good starting stories for this.
3. Reverse roles with the child.
Let him or her pretend to be the caregiver and you pretend to
be the child.
4. Preschool children enjoy card
games like Concentration and Go Fish. They also enjoy board games
such as Candyland and Chutes and Ladders. Remember, do not place
too much emphasis on winning. At this age doing is still more
important than winning.
EARLY SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN
AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS
This is the age that children
start collections or hobbies. Toys occupy less time for this age
group because children spend more and more time playing with friends
in groups. Early school-age children start to show more awareness
of sex role stereotypes, that is, what girls and boys are supposed
to do. Often girls play with girls and boys with boys. Girls may
play with dolls as "babies" and pretend they are doing
"real" housekeeping. Often boys enjoy electric trains
and construction sets. Encourage children to change these stereotypes.
Boys can play with dolls and be happy, if they feel it is okay
for them to do so.
School opens a whole new world
for early school-age children. They begin to make use of reading
and writing skills, as well as their improved muscle control.
They can do many things for themselves now; they previously needed
your help with reading stories, doing more complicated, creative,
and craft projects, and acting out stories by themselves. Your
role may be "behind the scenes" or as a member of an
audience more often than as a participant.
This is the age of active games.
Ball games, biking, swimming, and hiking are popular with this
group. There also is an increased interest in table games that
require two or more players. These include games that use simple
number skills and increased coordination, such as dominoes, jacks,
or marbles.
Appropriate Toys for Early School
Age Children
board games
marbles
jacks
electric trains (UL approved)
construction sets
science kits
craft kits
larger bicycles
prop boxes and costumes
puppets
fashion and career dolls
doll house and furniture
jump ropes
art materials of all kinds
work bench with real tools
roller and ice skates
How you can help
1. Play games with children and
help them practice sport activities that interest them.
2. Play table games with children.
Remember that early school-age children tend to take rules seriously.
3. Ask children about their toys
and play. "Tell me about it," and "What did it
feel like?" are good questions. Show an interest in their
hobbies and collections.
4. Children this age feel big
and important when they can do things with you. Let them be a
real part of what you are doing. Be careful not to do things for
them that they can do themselves.
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LEARN BY DOING
1. Ask your mother and father
about what toys you liked as a child. Did you have a favorite
household item to play with? How did you play with your toys?
Do you still have any of those favorite toys?
2. One complaint that people
have about television is that children want everything they see
in commercials. Think about what you would do if a child asked
you for a toy that was too advanced for him or her.
3. Make a card file of activities
that children can do indoors to use their energy. What are acceptable
physically active games for indoors? What quiet activities might
you do with each particular age?
4. Make a kit of homemade toys
that you can take with you as a caregiver. Read the suggested
books in the resource section for ideas or get a book on homemade
toys from your public library.
5. Observe children watching
television. Think about ways you could help them participate in
what they are watching. How could you help make their television
watching a valuable experience?
6. Make a poster or a display
to show your club what you have learned about toy safety, toy-making,
or toy selection.
Reprinted with permission from
the National Network for Child Care -
NNCC. Lagoni, L. S., Martin, D. H., Maslin-Cole, C., Cook, A.,
MacIsaac, K., Parrill, G., Bigner, J., Coker, E., & Sheie,
S.(1989).
Good times with toys. In *Good times with child care* (pp. 193-205).
Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University Cooperative Extension.
MORE ON CHILD CREATIVITY
Make
your child
more creative for life.
Every child has creative
ability just waiting to be tapped. Even infants have budding creative
potential. The right educational toys can bring it out. and let
children enjoy the benefits of creative pursuits at many levels.
Infants,
toddlers,
preschoolers,
early
school age and older
school age children all delight in opportunities for creative
expression through colors, shapes and sounds.
At The Creativity Institute, we handpick each infant educational
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Toy
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and animal hand puppets, art
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creativity can be profound, offering children tools for success
in all endeavors athletic, artistic or academic. Let your baby
begin now.