Choosing Toys for Your Preschooler
It is said that “play is the work of children,” and this is one old adage that holds true — play is the way that young children learn. Adults can help children learn and grow by providing appropriate tools to encourage creative, productive, imaginative play. The tools can be as simple as old clothes to play dress-up with, discarded paper towel rolls, pots and pans, an old briefcase or purse, or a simple toy with many uses.
When choosing commercially available toys, keep the following in mind:
- Select a variety of toys, so that your child can develop different skills:
- Puzzles to piece together
- Blocks for building
- Puppets for pretending.
- Invest in toys that will last and be appealing for many years.
- Wooden blocks, for example, can be a simple tower for a two-year old and become an elaborate castle for a six-year-old. They last forever and can be passed on to younger family members.
- Can the toy be used in many different ways? Can it be played with again and again?
- A sturdy pegboard can be used to sort by color, count, stack, and create a pretend forest. Who provides the power and the imagination to operate the toy? A battery? An adult? The answer should always be the child.
- Will your child be successful in using the toy? If a puzzle or game is too advanced for your child, he/ she will get easily frustrated and lose interest. On the other hand, if the toy is too simple for your child’s developmental stage, your child will get easily bored.
- Is the toy safe for your child’s age? Certain toys are not rated as being safe for children under age three. Things to watch for include: small parts that can come off and are choking hazards, sharp parts, pinching hazards, splinters, and rough edges. Although balloons are particularly appealing to children, they are serious choking hazards and should not be provided to children under the age of eight without adult supervision. Be aware that even a toy’s packaging might be dangerous to a very young child.
- Remember that a toy should help your child do one or more of the following:
- Explore
- Try new ideas
- Use language — their own language, not the toy’s
- Solve problems
- Learn how to cooperate
- Satisfy his/her curiosity
- Learn about people, nature, or the way things work
- Develop either large or smallmuscle control
- Develop mathematical skills
- Build her/his self esteem
New & Recommended
Puzzles and games are fun ways for children to learn problem solving, cooperation, and math skills. They can also improve fine motor coordination and develop language skills.
The Parent-Child Home Program Recommends:
Match-It Critter Puzzles — Each of the 3 puzzles features four different animals or insects. The puzzle pieces show the front of the critter and the base of the puzzle displays the view from behind. This is a fun and challenging exercise in logic, perspective, shapes, and colors and reinforces fine motor skills. Each board measures 11 inches x 5 inches and each puzzle piece averages 2 inches x 3 inches. Appropriate for 2-4 year olds.
Blossom Farm Large Lift-Out Puzzle — Wooden puzzle has eight individual pieces, each with a small handle. Even the tiniest fingers can easily remove and insert each piece. Puzzle measures 11 3/4 inches x 8 1/4 inches. Appropriate for 16 months - 3 years.
Button Bingo — Place a large, colorful button right onto the game card - it matches exactly. Use the buttons to play bingo, or simply practice matching the buttons to the cards. Buttons can also be used for counting, sorting, learning shapes, learning colors,
and many other school readiness activities. Cards are 8 inches square and buttons are 1 1/2 inches to 1 3/4 inches. A Learning Link Guide is included. Appropriate for ages 2-6.
Match It Up Animal Matching Game — A 20-piece set with ten wooden animal shapes and ten other wooden pieces showing their skins. Among the animals featured are a ladybug, turtle, cow, and zebra. Play as a simple matching game, or turn the pieces
over to play a memory game. Each octagon piece measures 2 3/8 inches in diameter. Appropriate for ages 2-3.
These items are available through Discount School Supply, 1-800-627-2829.
© 2002 The Parent-Child Home Program, Inc.
The Parent-Child Home Program
1415 Kellum Place, Suite 101
Garden City, New York 11530
www.parent-child.org
Reprinted with the permission of the Parent-Child Home Program, Inc.
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