How To Choose The Toys For Your Children Properly?
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by: alanmo
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Word Count: 697
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2011 Time: 9:28 PM
Toys are supposed to play the roles of tools in teaching children some skills and ability as expecting from most parents and educators. It is most important for kids in the early childhood period, as the kids can learn things through playing.
What toys are the best for your child development? It must come to the milestones a child should achieve in his age. For example, a girl of 2 months old needs a toy in color with simple shape instead of the iron man.
Besides looking at the age for the toys, parents should pay attention to those aspects with possibility of development delay. For example, a one-year old boy can't recognize the parts of his body. A doll may help him pick up the cognition faster. Of course, parents must help him play with the doll by naming each part of the toy, at the same time point to the relevant parts of boy.
In general, children in early childhood need to achieve certain skills in the four major developments:
• Social and emotional development
• Language and communication development
• Cognitive (learning, thinking and problem solving) development
• Movement and physical development
Your responsibility is to help your lovely kids to equip with the necessary skills properly not just entertain your children. It may be harmful to leave your children decide what toys to buy. First their interest may not help them to catch up the development milestone. Second, if you only follow your child's request, that may spoilt your child and form an unhealthy cognition.
It is really necessary for you to guide your child and provide proper toys for their development needs. Some tips on selecting toys for your children are listed here for your reference. When selecting toys for a child with a disability, use these questions to guide you:
• Does the toy fit child's individual abilities? Does the toy provide activities that reflect both developmental and chronological ages? Does it reflect the child's interest and age?
• Is the toy safe and durable? Does the toy fit with the child's size and strength? Does it have moisture resistance? Are the toy and its parts sized appropriately? Can it be washed and cleaned?
• Is the toy popular now? Is it a toy that will help the child with disabilities feel like "any other kid?" Does it tie in with other activities like books or games that promote other forms of play?
• Where the toy to be used: Will the toy be easy to store? Is there space in the home? Can the toy be used anywhere or some specific place? Is it for outdoor or indoor?
• Is it multi-sensory appeal? Does the toy respond with lights, sounds or movement to engage the child? Is the toy in contrasting colors? Does it have a scent? Is there texture? It is better to get the toy which can attract child attention in multi ways.
• How can the toy be activated? Will this toy provide a challenge without frustration? What is the force required to activate? What are the number and complexity of steps required to activate? The toy can't be too complex for your child.
• Is the toy opening for success? Can the toy be played with open-ended and no definite right or wrong way? Is it adaptable to the child's individual style, ability and pace?
• Is the toy for self-expression? Does the toy allow for creativity, uniqueness and making choices? Will it give the child experience with a variety of media?
• Is the toy adjustable? Does it have adjustable height, sound volume, speed and level if difficulty?
• Is the toy with potential for interaction? Will the child be an active participant during use? Will the toy encourage social engagement with others?
The more features the toys can provide to build up children's development, the better the toys are. But please don't forget your child age and its capabilities. Don't choose the toys with too advanced skills to your child. They may make your child frustrated and unhappy. Do carefully review what your child's development status and get the toys that help him develop properly.
About the Author
Alan Mo is the owner of http://www.earlychildhoodnow.com/ which is dedicating to enrich the child development in the early childhood. In this blog website, the experience, tips and knowledge will be shared for free. You will enjoy the useful tips on early childhood education plan and activities to help child growth development. Please Click Here to subscribe and receive more about early childhood development.
