There you are standing in the middle of a toy store and you are overwhelmed. Where do you start? How can you choose the correct toy?
The Toy Testing Council is a terrific resource for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. It is a non-profit organization which has been testing toys for over 55 years. They enlist the help of children from infant to 16 years to test toys!
The toys are tested in families’ home environments for eight weeks throughout the spring to fall season. The parents are required to fill out an evaluation report.
It is the council’s philosophy to evaluate each toy from children’s perspectives and gain their input. Each toy is evaluated based on its design, function, safety, durability, battery consumption and play value.
But, before you check the report, think about the individual child. What does she like to do? I watch three toddlers play. One loves stand-up push toys, preferably ones that make noise; another likes to dance and the third is crazy for vehicles. Knowing all this, I can go to the list and find the best toys for their particular interest.
Children play and learn all day. Whether they are playing with a cardboard box, action figures or a teddy bear, they are learning.
Our job is to keep an eye on their toy collection to see that they have materials that co-ordinate with their developmental level and interests.
Some kids love dress-up clothes while others want building toys. It is important to note that choosing your kids’ toys should have nothing to do with gender-specific choices. Little girls will happily trundle dump trucks through the sandbox and boys can prepare a pretend feast with the best of them.
A 12-month-old child wants to start to do things for herself but doesn’t have much co-ordination. So toys that allow her to dump, fill and put things together easily are great. These kids love water toys, stacking toys and lovely big blocks.
By 18 months they want to push, pull and lug things around. So a doll buggy or small wagon that they can load up with their stuffed animals offer great fun. This is also when imaginative play, imitating Mom and Dad begins so a toy cell phone works well.
After their second birthday, kids will get involved in longer-term play so things like tea sets and doctor kits are fun and will engage your child. This is also when miniature barns and garages with animals and cars are popular.
Not everything has to be toys you buy. Kids love things like empty yogurt containers. Boxes or old magazines are a treat for these little ones.
There are a few classics. A good set of building blocks will grow with your child. First they will be dumped out of a container. When the child gets a bit older he will stack them and later build castles and mansions.
Play-doh is a great favourite and can be made at home. Cookie cutters, a rolling pin and some small plastic animals lead to many child adventures.
As soon as kids can keep things out of their mouths it’s time to stock art supplies. Big fat crayons and sheets of paper, or some watercolours or finger-paints are popular with children. When they are painting remember to cover their clothing with aprons or raincoats work well.
Dress-up clothes lead to some wonderful imaginative play. Old hats, shoes, dresses and shortened pants will provide solitary and group play. And if you want to splurge, a magic wand or firefighters hat will add to the fun.
Kids of all ages love music. Sing with your kids (they love when you sing, and they have no idea if you are in tune). Dance with them. Don’t limit yourself to children’s music, also put on your songs and whirl around the floor with them.
And don’t forget books. Read to your kids. Read to them every day. Kids who learn to enjoy books and reading from a young age will be able to entertain themselves. When they are little they will love looking at the pictures and as they mature will be keen to read their favourite books.
However, once they can read, don’t stop reading to them. Story time is a very special time between children and adults. So read to them and encourage their aunts, uncles and grandparents to also curl up with a child or two and a good book.
When the kids have a good range of toys with great play value they will learn and grow.
Kathy Lynn is a professional speaker and author of Who’s In Charge Anyway?, But Nobody Told Me I’d Ever Have to Leave Home and Vive la Différence. If you want to read more, sign up for her informational newsletter at www.parentingtoday.ca.
