Choosing Toys for Children

Choosing Toys

Toys don't have to be expensive. After all, cardboard boxes in the backyard and measuring cups in the sink are favorite standards. But when you do need to purchase toys, you may find it helpful to know what toys to choose and which to avoid for children of different ages.

Infants & Toddlers

Infants and toddlers learn about the world through their senses. They are interested in the sight, sound, smell, texture, and taste of things. Objects that can be squeezed, dropped, poked, twisted, or thrown are sure to cause delight. Toddlers also enjoy any item that can be stacked, poured, opened, closed, pushed, or pulled.

Preschoolers

Preschool children learn by doing. They are busy developing new skills. They like drawing, painting, and building. They also spend a great deal of time pretending. Dress-up clothes, pretend "props," and puppets are big favorites. Preschoolers are energetic and active. They need large balls to roll and throw, wagons to pull, and tricycles to ride.

School-age Children

School-age children feel more grown-up and love activities that lead to "real products" such as jewelry, "designer" T-shirts, or stamp collections. They also develop a keen interest in sports and enjoy having adult-like physical equipment such as softball gloves, tennis rackets, or skates. They have a better understanding of rules and enjoy playing with others. Board games, cards, or dominoes teach math concepts and problem-solving skills.

In addition to choosing age-appropriate toys, it's also a good idea to get several sets of popular toys. Young children often have difficulty sharing. Toddlers simply do not understand the concept and preschoolers have very limited skills in trading or negotiating. Have several play telephones and a ball for each child to make the day go more smoothly.

Before you buy. . .

You will be spending money and time choosing and buying toys. Here are some questions for you that can help you get going on the right track with toys and equipment:

• Will children of different ages enjoy it?
• Is the toy durable? Will it last?
• Is the toy safe?
• Can the toy be used in a variety of ways?
• Does this toy encourage cooperation or does it encourage aggression or violence?
• Is it easy to clean?
• Can I buy a more useful toy for the same money?
• Do I need more of these for the number and ages of children in my home?
• Do I have something at home that is similar and for the same kind of play?
• Is this item essential? Can it wait?

Toys and Safety

More than 120,000 children are taken to hospital emergency rooms each year for treatment of toy-related injuries. Evaluate toys for the children in your care from the standpoint of safety. The following are some guidelines:

• Choose toys appropriate to the child's age. Some toys intended for children more than 3 years old may contain small parts which could present a choking hazard for infants and toddlers. Toddlers should never play with anything that is smaller than a half dollar.
• Think BIG when selecting toys, especially for children under age three. Big toys without small parts can be enjoyed by youngsters of different ages. Keep toys intended for older children, such as games with small pieces, marbles, or small balls, away from younger children.
• Keep uninflated balloons out of reach for children under age 6 and discard pieces of broken balloons because of the choking hazard.
• Explain and show children the proper use of safety equipment such as bicycle helmets. Studies show that helmets can reduce severe injuries from a fall.
• Check all toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. Damaged toys can be dangerous and should be repaired or thrown away immediately.
• Store toys safely. Teach children to put toys away so they are not tripping hazards. Periodically check toy boxes and shelves for safety.

Toys to Choose - Toys to Avoid

NEWBORN TO 1 YEAR
Choose: Brightly colored objects Pictures within view but out of reach Mobiles that have objects attached with cords less than 12 inches long Unbreakable toys that rattle or squeak Washable dolls or animals with embroidered eyes Stacking ring cones Tapes or records with gentle music	Avoid: Toys with parts smaller than 1 1/4 inches (about the size of a half dollar) Toys with sharp edges Toys with detachable small parts Toys with toxic paint Toys with cords more than 12 inches long Stuffed animals with glass or button eyes Balloons Push and pull toys
1 TO 2 YEARS
Choose: Books with cloth or stiff pasteboard pages Non-glass mirrors Take-apart toys with large pieces Blocks - foam, plastic, or cardboard Nested boxes or cups Musical and chime toys Floating tub toys Pounding and stacking toys	Avoid: Small toys that can be swallowed Toys with small removable parts Stuffed animals with glass or button eyes Toys with sharp edges Balloons
2 TO 3 YEARS
Choose: Play dough Large crayons Pegboards with large pieces Low rocking horses Sandbox toys Soft balls of different sizes Cars or wagons to push Simple musical instruments Simple dress-up items like hats, scarves, shoes Sturdy riding toys Books with rhymes, pictures, jingles	Avoid: Toys with sharp edges Toys with small removable parts Small objects such as beads, coins, or marbles Electrical toys Lead toys Tricycles with seats higher than 12 inches Riding toys used in hilly or inclined driveways Balloons
3 TO 4 YEARS
Choose: Dolls with simple clothes Balls of all sizes Nonelectrical trucks, tractors, trains Building blocks Toy telephones Dress-up clothes Sturdy play dishes Plastic interlocking blocks Blunt scissors Play dough Washable markers, large crayons Sewing cards Simple board games Books Simple puzzles	Avoid: Electrical toys Lead toys Flammable costumes Toys with sharp edges or small, removable parts Riding toys used in hilly or inclined driveways
4 TO 5 YEARS
Choose: Building blocks Simple construction sets Modeling clay Nonelectrical trains, battery operated toys Puppets and puppet theaters Finger paints Stencils Board and card games Simple musical instruments Small sports equipment Bicycles for 4- to 7-year-olds with 20-inch wheels and training wheels (all should wear bike helmets) Books 9- to 24-piece puzzles	Avoid: Toxic or oil-based paint sets Flammable costumes or ones that can be easily tripped over Kites made of aluminized polyester film (this material conducts electricity) Electrical toys (unless battery operated) Shooting toys with darts with pointed tips Fireworks of any kind Lawn darts
5 TO 8 YEARS
Choose: Construction sets Sleds, roller skates Sewing materials Simple cameras, film Printing and stamp sets Paints, colored pencils Sketch pads Kites Battery powered electrical toys (Underwriters Laboratory approved) Jigsaw puzzles Dominoes Board games Simple tool sets Dolls Magnets, magnifiers Simple calculator Bicycles (24-inch wheels)	Avoid: Kites made of aluminized polyester film (this material conducts electricity) Shooting toys and toys with loud noises like cap guns Fireworks of any kind Sharp-edged tools Electrical toys run on household current Bike or skateboard riding without helmets
8 TO 12 YEARS
Choose: Hobby materials Arts and crafts materials Musical instruments Sports equipment Camping equipment Construction sets Electric trains Bicycles (26-inch wheels for kids 10 and older) Models	Avoid: Fireworks of any kind Air rifles, chemistry sets, darts, and arrows (unless with parental supervision) Bike or skateboard riding without helmets

Reprinted with permission from National Network for Child Care - NNCC.

What to Consider When Buying Kids’ Furniture

Your child spends hours in his or her bedroom and playroom, so it is important to create a fun atmosphere that stimulates the imagination, as well as providing a sense of comfort and security. Here are some of the things you will want to keep in mind when buying kids’ furniture and decorating your child’s space.

1. Theme: Choosing a theme, or having your child pick a decorating scheme, will make shopping for furnishings and accessories much easier. Whether you have a little prince or princess, a future firefighter, or an animal lover, a themed bedroom or playroom will fuel your child's imagination and create a space that is uniquely their own.

2. Safety: Safety is always an important consideration; you will want to choose children's furniture that is made with non-toxic materials, including lead-free and non-toxic paint and finishes, and is free of any sharp edges or corners that can cause injury to kids. If you are looking for storage solutions, look for toy boxes with safety hinges and lid supports to be sure that heavy lids won't fall on your child. You will also want to be sure that the toy box you get has side vents, to prevent your child from suffocating should he or she accidentally become trapped inside the chest. Furniture with wheels should have a locking mechanism to prevent rolling or falls.

3. Durability: Kids are rough on furniture. While discount store furnishings may seem like a good deal, they are not necessarily built to last, and you may find yourself replacing them before your child has outgrown them. Look for solid wood furnishings from quality manufacturers like Levels of Discovery that will last through years of tough use.

4. Versatility: Especially when space is limited, furniture that serves more than one purpose is a great option. Beds with storage drawers, toy boxes that double as benches, and step stools with storage are great choices for your child's bedroom.

5. Cleanability: Small children are not noted for keeping their things clean; you can expect spills, smears, and marks from paint and crayons to occur over and over again. Choosing furniture that can be easily wiped clean will save you hours of unnecessary work.

A Kid Place has everything you need to outfit your nursery, child's bedroom or playroom with attractive, high-quality furnishings and accessories that will last for years. We have great deals on Levels of Discovery furniture, as well as several other award-winning manufacturers, with free shipping for eligible items.

Waiting Room Toys for Kids Make Waiting Fun

Pediatricians, dentists, and any other individuals who deal with small children in their business practice on a regular basis know that it is important to have a way to keep kids occupied while they are waiting for an appointment. A waiting room that is equipped with plenty of engaging toys and books keeps kids busy and prevent them from running wild, annoying other clients and creating a stressful environment. In addition, waiting room toys help little ones to feel less nervous while waiting for their turn and can even give them a reason to look forward to visiting your office.

Here are some suggestions for sturdy, durable, and fun waiting room toys and furniture to make your space bright and pleasant.

1. Kid-friendly furniture: Start with child-size tables and chairs to create a welcoming environment for your smallest clients. Add toy bins and bookshelves to keep the area neat and clutter-free, and add colorful artwork to brighten the space and make it seem cheerful – this will help to keep your waiting room warm and friendly.

2. Wooden puzzles: Kids of all ages love to put puzzles together; make sure you have a variety of puzzles for different ability levels. Wooden puzzles work better than the cardboard kind, as the pieces are less likely to get lost or damaged during play.

3. Train tables: Wooden train tables, such as those made for Thomas the Tank Engine and similar train sets, are ideal for the waiting room. Tracks, scenery, “people,” and train cars provide plenty of scope for imaginative play, and the tables can accommodate several children at once. Be sure to have several engines and other train cars available to prevent squabbles!

4. Books, coloring books, and crayons: Books and magazines suitable for the age range of the children who visit your office are a must; coloring books and crayons are also a great way to keep kids busy while they wait.

5. Activity play cubes and activity tables: Manufacturers like Anatex are known for their award-winning wire-bead mazes that are found in waiting rooms and preschool classrooms all over the country. Kids love to explore and imagine with the manipulative toys and puzzles that are part of an activity play cube or table.

If you are looking for waiting room toys to equip your patient or client waiting area, A Kid Place has plenty of educational toys and kid-friendly furniture at the best possible prices. Visit us today and find out how we can help you make your waiting area a place where kids will look forward to playing.

Child Development: A Guide For Parents - The Fourth Year

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

THE FOURTH YEAR

Have you ever wondered how your child is growing and developing compared to other children of the same age? How do you know if your child is "on the right track"?

Your child is going through many physical and mental changes. Although no two children grow at the same rate, experts agree there are "normal" signs of development. This brochure will provide you with a checklist of important milestones in your child's development during the first year of life.

It is a simple tool you can use to become aware of and appreciate the dramatic changes that are occurring in your child.

Watch for these signs in your child over a one month period. (Even children have "bad days.") Remember, each child is different and may learn and grow at a different rate. However, if your child cannot do many of the skills listed for his or her age group, you should consult your pediatrician. If your child was born sooner than expected, be sure to deduct the number of months early from his or her age. A 5-month-old born 2 months early would be expected to show the same skills as a 3-month-old who was born on his or her due date. Several additional sources of information are listed on the back of this brochure.

You are the most important observer of your child's development. If your child has special needs, early help can make a difference.

By 4 years of age does your child:

Motor Skills

• Feed herself (with little spilling)
• Try to use a fork
• Hold a pencil
• Try to write name
• Draw with the arm and not small hand movements
• Draw a circle
• Draw a face
• Try to cut paper with blunt scissors
• Sometimes unbutton buttons
• Try to buckle, button, and lace, even though she probably needs help
• Completely undress herself if wearing clothes with simple fasteners
• Brush teeth with help
• Build a tower of 7-9 blocks
• Put together a simple puzzle of 4-12 pieces
• Pour from a small pitcher
• Use the toilet alone
• Try to skip
• Catch a bouncing ball
• Walk downstairs using a handrail and alternating feet
• Swing, starting by himself and keeping himself going

Sensory and Thinking Skills

• Recognize red, yellow, and blue
• Understand taking turns and can do so without always being reminded
• Understand "big," "little," "tall," "short"
• Want to know what will happen next
• Sort by shape or color
• Count up to 5 objects
• Follow three instructions given at one time
• ("Put the toys away, wash your hands, and come eat.")
• Distinguish between the real world and the imaginary or pretend world
• Identify situations that would lead to happiness, sadness, or anger

Language and Social Skills

• Have a large vocabulary and use good grammar often
• Often talk about action in conversation ("go," "do," "make")
• Enjoy rhyming and nonsense words
• Use regular past tenses of verbs ("pulled," "walked")
• Use "a," "an," and "the" when speaking
• Ask direct questions ("May I?" "Would you?")
• Want explanations of "why" and "how"
• Relate a simple experience she has had recently
• Understand "next to"
• Separate from his parent for a short time without crying
• Help clean up toys at home or school when asked to
• Like to play "dress up"
• Pretend to play with imaginary objects
• Act out elaborate events which tell a story (as in serving an imaginary dinner or going on a "dragon hunt")
• Sometimes cooperate with other children
• Often prefer playing with other children to playing alone, unless deeply involved in a solitary task
• Change the rules of a game as he goes along
• Try to bargain ("I'll give you this toy if you'll give me that one")
• Share when asked
• Enjoy tag, hide-and-seek and other games with simple rules
• Like moderate "rough and tumble" play
• Like to do things for himself
• Know her age and the town where she lives
• Act as though a doll or stuffed animal thinks and feels on its own

If you have questions about your child's development or want to have your child tested,

• Call your pediatrician
• The local health department
• The Make-A-Difference Information Network (They can help you find a testing location near your community.) 1-800-332-6262
• The Parent Helpline (They can help you with questions about child rearing.) 1-800-332-6378

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Powell, J. and Smith, C.A. The 4th year. In *Developmental milestones: A guide for parents*. Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service.

Child Development: A Guide For Parents - The Third Year

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

THE THIRD YEAR

Have you ever wondered how your child is growing and developing compared to other children of the same age? How do you know if your child is "on the right track"?

Your child is going through many physical and mental changes. Although no two children grow at the same rate, experts agree there are "normal" signs of development. This brochure will provide you with a checklist of important milestones in your child's development during the first year of life.

It is a simple tool you can use to become aware of and appreciate the dramatic changes that are occurring in your child.

Watch for these signs in your child over a one month period. (Even children have "bad days.") Remember, each child is different and may learn and grow at a different rate. However, if your child cannot do many of the skills listed for his or her age group, you should consult your pediatrician. If your child was born sooner than expected, be sure to deduct the number of months early from his or her age. A 5-month-old born 2 months early would be expected to show the same skills as a 3-month-old who was born on his or her due date. Several additional sources of information are listed on the back of this brochure.

You are the most important observer of your child's development. If your child has special needs, early help can make a difference.

By 3 years of age does your child:

Motor Skills

• Feed himself (with some spilling)
• Open doors
• Hold a glass in one hand
• Hold a crayon well
• Wash and dry hands by himself
• Fold paper, if shown how
• Build a tower of 54 blocks
• Throw a ball overhead
• Try to catch a large ball
• Put on shoes (but not tie laces)
• Dress herself with help
• Use the toilet with some help
• Walk up steps, alternating feet
• Walk on tiptoes if shown how
• Walk in a straight line
• Kick a ball forward
• Jump with both feet
• Pedal a tricycle

Sensory and Thinking Skills

• Recognize sounds in the environment
• Pay attention for about 3 minutes
• Remember what happened yesterday
• Know what is food and what is not food
• Know some numbers (but not always in the right order)
• Know where things usually belong
• Understand what "1" is
• Understand "now," "soon," and "later"
• Substitute one object for another in pretend play (as in pretending a block is a "car")
• Laugh at silly ideas (like "milking" a dog)
• Look through a book alone
• Match circles and squares
• Match an object to a picture of that object
• Match objects that have same function (as in putting a cup and plate together)
• Count 2 to 3 objects
• Avoid some dangers, like a hot stove or a moving car
• Follow simple one-step commands

Language and Social Skills

• Use 3-5 word sentences
• Ask short questions
• Use plurals ("dogs," "cars," "hats")
• Name at least 10 familiar objects
• Repeat simple rhymes
• Name at least one color correctly
• Imitate housework or help with simple tasks
• Ask to use the toilet almost every time
• Enjoy being read to
• Talk about feelings and mental states (e.g., remembering)
• Demonstrate some shame when caught in a wrongdoing
• Try to make others laugh
• Play spontaneously with two or three children in a group
• Assign roles in pretend social play ("You be mommy;" "I be daddy")
• Know her first and last name
• Understand "I," "you," "he," and "she"
• Believe everything centers around him ("if I hide my eyes, no one will see me")
• Answer whether she is a boy or girl

If you have questions about your child's development or want to have your child tested,

• Call your pediatrician
• The local health department
• The Make-A-Difference Information Network (They can help you find a testing location near your community.) 1-800-332-6262
• The Parent Helpline (They can help you with questions about child rearing.) 1-800-332-6378

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Powell, J. and Smith, C.A. (1994). The 1st year. In *Developmental milestones: A guide for parents*. Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service.