Experts Advice
THE JOY OF PLAY
Play is universal. Children of every culture engage in play; anthropologists have found evidence of toys dating as far back as there is a record of human life. Though play differs from culture to culture, generation to generation, it is clearly an instinctual, essential part of growing up.
While play has existed since ancient times, only recently have we come to appreciate its importance to a child’s development. Too often, we dismiss playtime as simply entertainment for our children. Yet, experts consider play to be a child’s work. Truly, there is no more constructive pastime for a child. While play is the essential joy of youth, it is also the primary way in which children learn about themselves, others and their world. Through play, children develop the physical, mental, social, emotional and creative skills needed for life.
Given the many benefits of play, parents and caregivers naturally want to make the most of it for their children – to choose appropriate toys or educational toys, encourage positive play experiences and, above all, ensure safe play.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY
- Play has an undeniable influence on every aspect of a child’s development, laying the foundation for reading, writing, mathematical reasoning and creativity. Through play children develop:
- Physical (gross-motor) skills, as a child at play learns to reach, crawl, walk, run, climb, jump, throw, catch and balance.
- Fine-motor skills (the use of hands and fingers), as he or she handles playthings.
- Critical thinking skills, through play that encourages problem solving and demonstrates cause and effect.
- Language skills, which blossom as a child interacts with others and uses words for favorite toys and activities.
- Social skills, which are mastered by learning to follow directions, cooperate, take turns, abide by the rules and share.
- Emotional skills, as children experience pleasure, bond with others, and work through feelings during role-play.
- Self-esteem, so crucial to one’s long-term happiness and success, enhanced when children achieve goals through play.
- Creativity and imagination; when a child pretends to be a doctor, a teacher, a parent, or a firefighter, he or she learns that life is full of possibilities and opportunities.
- Perhaps most important of all, play is fun. Years later, when we recall our childhood, it is the happy times spent playing with special people that we remember most fondly.
PARENTS: The First Playmates
It has been said that parents are their child’s first playmates. Not only do parents have an important role in choosing appropriate toys for their children, but research shows that children who play regularly with their parents enjoy the greatest developmental benefits. For children fortunate enough to have grandparents and other extended family members or close family friends who live nearby, playtime with these special adults can also be enriching.
Be sure to take time out of your busy schedule to join in and play with your child on a regular basis. This special time of childhood comes and goes all too quickly, so make the most of it. You’ll be delighted by how much fun you’ll have together while making memories that last a lifetime.
TOYS OR EDUCATIONAL TOYS SELECTION
As you shop, consider that children of all ages need a well-balanced assortment of toys or educational toys to contribute to their development and pleasure – ones for active play, manipulative play, make-believe play and creative play. Study your child, know what his or her interests and abilities are, and read labels to help you make the right selections.
About Labels on Products: Labels on toy or educational toys packages take some of the guesswork out of choosing safe, appropriate toys or educational toys. Child development experts agree that while each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, there are certain stages that are fairly predictable. For example, children generally sit up unsupported in the middle of the first year and take their first steps in the early half of the second year. These averages help toy makers design and label playthings that will be safe for and appealing to children of a specific age group.
Toys or educational toys are labeled based on four criteria: the safety aspects of the toy or educational toys; the physical capabilities of the child (ability to manipulate the toy); the cognitive abilities of the child (understanding how to use to toy); and the child’s interests.
The most common safety labels warn against choking hazards. Any toy or game manufactured for children age three to six is required to carry such a warning if the toy contains small parts, small balls, marbles or a balloon. Such toys or educational toys are not intended for children under three or any child who is still mouthing objects. Other common labels to look for include “Adult Assembly required” for toys where complicated assembly or safety requires an adult to prepare the toy for safe play, “flame retardant/flame resistant” on fabric products, “surface or machine washable” on stuffed toys and dolls and a laboratory certification e.g. “UL Listed” (Underwriters Laboratories) on electrically operated toys.
Some manufacturers add other safety warnings to the package and/or instructions advising parents that special care should be taken. Toys or educational toys that would have cautionary labels might include: science toy sets with toxic chemicals, craft kits with sharp or breakable items, and crib gyms and mobiles, which should be removed when a baby reaches five months of age or begins to push up on hands and knees to avoid potentially hazardous entanglement.
In our competitive society, it might be tempting to buy a toy or educational toys for a young child that is age labeled and intended for an older child. This is not advisable. The age label has been thoughtfully assigned based on many factors including safety. If a child is given a toy or educational toys that is too advanced, he or she may become frustrated or worse, be exposed to a safety risk.
While labels help consumers narrow down their choices, no package label can tell you exactly which toy or educational toys is right for your child. Use labels as a guide, but always keep in mind the maturity, skill level and interest of the child when making toy or educational toys purchases. Remember that manufactures are required to ensure products are safe for the ages the toy or educational toys is intended for.
Be especially careful when selecting toys or educational toys for children under three:
Heed labeling that cautions when toys are not intended for children 0 – 3.
Avoid toys with small parts that could be swallowed or inserted into the nose or ears.
Check that the eyes and noses of stuffed animals and dolls are securely fastened and that seams are well sewn.
Choose rattles, teething rings and squeeze toys that are too large, even in their most compressed state, to become lodged in a baby’s throat.
Select unbreakable toys that are lightweight, washable and free of sharp corners, rough edges or strings.
Avoid latex balloons, which present a choking and suffocation hazard. In fact balloons should not be given to children under the age of eight years due to potential choking hazards.
SAFE PLAY
Adult Supervision is Critical
The toy industry and the Federal government work hard to ensure that toys are among the safest products brought into the home. A toy may go through more than one hundred safety tests to imitate the kind of use and abuse it may get in the hands of a child. In addition, toy labels help parents and caregivers choose the right toys or educational toys for their children.
Safe manufacturing and careful toy selection, however, are not enough to protect our children. Parents and caregivers should be their own safety experts, ensuring that toys or educational toys are used, maintained and stored correctly. There is no substitute for adult supervision of play.
Toy-related injuries generally occur when an infant or toddler chokes on small parts of a toy intended for an older child, when a child trips over a toy that was not put away after use, or when an unsupervised child hits another with a toy. Most play-related injuries are avoidable.
As Good As New
Toys must also be properly maintained to ensure safe play.
- Check toys regularly for cracks, tears, sharp edges, small parts, loose buttons, dirt, etc.
- Remind children to let you know when toys need repair.
- Never allow toys to remain outdoors overnight; rain, snow and dew can cause rust damage.
- Discard a toy damaged beyond repair.
Everything in Its Place
Toys or educational toys inspire feelings of ownership in children. This sense of possessiveness presents a perfect opportunity for adults to teach children that care must be given to valued belongings. At an early age, children can be taught to store their toys properly in a place selected by you. This prevents toys from being lost, stolen or damaged. In addition, it may prevent falls and keep younger children away from toys intended for older ones. It is especially important to keep toys off of staircases to avoid falls.
If a storage chest is used, be sure it has a removable lid or a spring-loaded support that allows the lid to remain securely open. Also, check for smooth, finished edges, air holes to prevent suffocation and hinge-line clearances to prevent pinched fingers.
Other good options for storing and organizing toys are large, stackable plastic bins, smooth-edged baskets, or sturdy, open shelves.
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