Some Thoughts on Toy Buying (continued)

The Joy of Reading

Don’t forget books. There are affordable, attractive paperbacks for children of all ages. Even infants enjoy looking at a page from a picture book! Treating books with special care will enhance their value for a child and begin the process toward reading. As with toys, books should be selected with a careful eye toward each individual child’s interest. If your two-year-old likes playing with trucks, choose a simple, colorful book featuring pictures of cars and trucks. Children enjoy both fiction and nonfiction books about their favorite subjects. Books give children knowledge, comfort, art appreciation, humor and joy.

As a Child Grows...

Toy selection changes as children get older. Now they may know exactly what they want and the question becomes whether you can afford it or whether you think it’s appropriate for them. Video games can be considerably more expensive than toys. Be honest and tell the child if a game is simply out of the question financially. Buying a toy that you will feel compelled to “police” is probably only setting you and your child up for conflict. If your family has a home computer or is planning to buy one, select software content you are comfortable with that is appropriate for your child’s age and learning style.

Plan to spend time thinking about your toy purchases before you go shopping. The “perfect” gift can turn up unexpectedly, it’s true (and sometimes is half the fun of shopping), but if you give some thought to your child’s interests and preferences, you’ll be in a better position to judge before you buy. Then enjoy watching as your child has fun playing and learning with your selection.

Toy Safety

Toys should be chosen with care, especially for the very young. Safety considerations don’t end with the purchase of a toy; proper maintenance and safe storage are equally important. Be a label-reader, particularly on toys that are labeled, “not recommended for children under three, due to small parts.” Always discard plastic wrappings on toys immediately. Avoid toy boxes with heavy lids and those with no ventilation holes. Protect outdoor toys from rust.

Toys to Avoid

• Those small enough to be swallowed; be especially vigilant about deflated or broken balloons, which are a major choking hazard.
• Toys that have detachable parts that can lodge in the windpipe, ears or nostrils; stuffed animals with squeakers that can be easily removed, etc.
• Toys that can easily be broken into small pieces or pieces with jagged edges; that have sharp edges or points; that are put together with straight pins, sharp wires, nails, etc.
• Glass or brittle plastic toys.
• Toys that have parts that can pinch fingers or toes, or catch hair.
• Items that are painted and lack a “nontoxic” label; avoid painted toys for infants altogether.
• Toys with long strings or cords.

Toys to Monitor

• Anything that makes sharp, loud noises that can cause hearing damage, such as extra-loud sound effects or music, cap guns, etc.
• Darts, flying toys or toys that propel objects.
• Toys that use electricity or are otherwise meant to be used by older children.