EDU120/fall2007/DeGiorgio
Guidelines for selecting safe toys
The most important consideration when selecting toys is the child's age and developmental level. Too often, over zealous parents and friends, select toys that are inappropriate for a child's age and skill level. Most manufacturers. now include a recommendation for the age level to which the toy is appropriate (this recommendation usually appears on the outside corner of the toy). A toy that is too advanced will probably be misused and the likelihood of injury will increase.
How old should the child be to play with your toy?
Which skills are essential in order for a child to play with your toy?
Choking remains the leading cause of toy deaths; most often involving ingested balloons, balls, and small toy parts. Carefully inspect a toy before purchasing it. All of the toy parts should be larger than a child's mouth, so that no part of it can be accidentally swallowed. Some retailers sell a cylindrical tube that serves as a reference when selecting toys. If a piece of the toy can fit through the tube, it could also fit into the mouth of a child.
Inspect the toy. Are there any removable parts or anything that can fit into the mouth of a child?
Inspect toys for quality construction and design before buying them. Check to see that small parts on stuffed animals or soft toys are securely fastened. Avoid toys with sharp or pointed edges.
Are there any sharp or pointed edges on the toy?
Read the instructions for use before purchasing toys. Make sure that they are clear and will be understood by the child. Too often, children see toys advertised on television that look simple to set up and play, but in reality require more skill than the child possesses.
What are instructions for playing with the toy? Which skills are necessary?
Discard all plastic wrappers that accompany toys. They pose a risk for suffocation when children place them over their heads.
Consider the noise level of the toy. Some toys, like caps and guns, can produce sounds at noise levels that can damage hearing. The law requires that the following label be placed on boxes of caps producing noise above a certain decibel: "Warning- Do not fire closer than one foot to the ear. Do not use indoors."
Does your toy make noise? Describe the noise level of the toy?
Toys that shoot small objects into the air pose a risk for eye injury. Too often children place objects not intended for firing into dart guns and thus create weapons capable of inflicting harm.
Can your toy inflict harm?
When shopping for infants or very young children, do not select any toys with long strings or cords attached. The cord or string can easily become wrapped around a small child's neck and cause strangulation. Do not ever hang toys over a crib or playpen using ribbon or rope, since an infant can easily become entangled in them.
Does your toy have cords or strings attached?
Toy boxes can be dangerous if a child falls inside and suddenly becomes trapped. Only purchase a toy box that has a lid that will stay open in any position. For added safety, look for a toy box that has ventilation holes for fresh air. Never use pieces of furniture not intended for use as a toy box (chests, cedar boxes or other cabinets) for storing toys, especially if a small child could easily climb inside and get trapped.
Be cautious when selecting electric toys. Toys with heating elements can result in burns in younger children and they are not recommended for children under age 8. Even older children require adult supervision when using many electrical toys.
Suggestions for age-appropriate toys
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following list of toys for children of specific age groups. It can be used as a guideline when choosing toys for children.
Newborn to 1 year old
Choose toys that will appeal to a baby's sight, hearing, and touch. Examples include:
Large blocks
Rattles
Pots and pans
Soft, washable animals, dolls or balls
Bright, moveable objects that are out of the infant's reach
Busy boards
Floating bath toys
Squeeze toys
1 to 2 years old
Children of this age are quite curious. Toys for this age group should be safe and able to withstand a toddler's manipulation. Examples include:
Clothe or plastic books with large pictures
Kiddy cars
Musical tops
Nesting blocks
Push and pull toys (without long cords)
Stacking toys
Toy telephones
2 to 5 years old
Children this age like toys that imitate the activities of parents and older siblings. Examples include:
Books (short stories or action stories)
Blackboard and chalk
Building blocks
Crayons, non-toxic paints, clay
Hammer and bench
Housekeeping toys
Tape recorders
Puzzles with large pieces
Dress-up clothes
Transportation toys (tricycles, cars, and wagons)
Outdoor toys (sand box, slides, swings, and playhouse)
5 to 9 years old
Children this age enjoy toys that promote skill development and creativity. Examples include:
Sewing kits with blunt scissors
Card games
Doctor and nurse kits
Hand puppets
Balls
Bicycles
Crafts
Paper dolls
Jump ropes
Roller-skates
Sports equipment
Table- games
10 to 14 years old
Children this age often have hobbies and they enjoy toys with scientific activities. Examples include:
Computer games
Sewing, needlework, knitting
Microscopes, telescopes
Sports equipment (basketball and soccer nets)
Table and board games
Hobby collections (dolls, model cars, miniatures)
What should I do if my child is injured by a toy and how can I find out which toys have been recalled?
If you believe that a toy is hazardous, or if your child has been injured by a toy, write to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207, or call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission also has a website @
To get information about specific toys that have been recalled, contact the CPSC @
References
Child Safety Protection Act Fact Sheet
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
The American Academy of Pediatrics
The Child Safety Protection Act Public Law 103-267, June 16, 1994.
Children’s development involves not only physical and cognitive development, but also
emotional and social development. All four domains must be addressed to create playopportunities and environments in which children will thrive.
Children’s cognitive development,
which includes creativity, discovery, language skills, verbal judgment and reasoning, symbolic
thought, problem-solving skills, and the ability to focus and control behavior, are all heavily
influenced by their play experiences.
How does your toy foster cognitive development?
Their emotional development, which is also shaped by their
play, includes feelings of happiness, feelings of power over the environment, emotional
awareness, sensitivity to others, emotional strength and stability, spontaneity, humor, and
feelings about self. Social learning occurs largely during children’s play interactions, as children
learn to play in larger and larger groups, and as they begin to learn about appropriate behaviors
within certain contexts.
How does your toy foster emotional development?
Considering the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development
of children permits adults to address the well-being of the whole child as they design,
manufacture, package, sell, or purchase play items such as toys.
How does the toy contribute to the physical development of the child?
How can you use your toy to foster development in the literacy domain?
These categories apply to the various play behaviors in which children engage
and how they use toys during play.
In approximate developmental order, the main categories are:
Early Exploratory/Practice Play,
Construction Play,
Pretend & Role Play,
Game & Activity Play,
Sports & Recreational Play,
Media Play,
and Educational & Academic Play.
Which category best describes your toy?
Is your toy colorful?
Is your toy sensory stimulating? Which senses are utilized when a child interacts with the toy?
Is the toy durable?
Is the toy gender specific?
How much does it cost?
Does the packaging include directions?