CHOOSING A TOY
Today there are endless varieties of toys available for you to choose for your children. The two points parents usually consider first are quality and cost. The third and equally important point parents should be aware of is safety.
Safety and durability - Sharp edges and toxic paints should not be used in toys. Toys should be of sturdy construction and able to withstand active play. Parts should be firmly fastened together and easy to clean.
Age-Appropriateness and Versatility - Toys should stimulate and retain your child's interest as they grow and develop. Toys that are compatible with other accessories or sets which can be added later have added value and versatility.
Educational Value - Toys that lead to learning while your child is having fun are ideal. For instance, blocks encourage creative play when building and also teach children colors, shapes, sizes, number, and number ordering.
Small pieces - Your under 3-year-old should not be playing with toys that contain pieces small enough to put inside her mouth, causing a choking hazard.
Discouraging aggressive play and possible injury - Toys that are replicas of real weapons, or include darts or arrows should not be given to young children to avoid physical harm and aggressive group play.
Toys with guaranteed quality and safety - Parents should look for toys with approved safety ratings by trusted institutes such as the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and the EN71 (European Standard for Toy Safety Requirements).
PATTERNS OF PLAY
As children grow, they are able to adapt to different styles of playing. Psychologists classify these styles of play into the four following patterns:
Solitary Play
Birth to Two Years Old Babies and young toddlers play alone: exploring their own body and getting familiar with their environment. They're very attached to their own toys and aren't ready to share with others.
Parallel Play
Three Years Old - At this age, your child is interested in other children but still prefers individual play. It's common to see three year olds playing quietly next to each other, but not interacting.
Associate Play
Four Years Old - Your child is beginning to form relationships with peers. Four year olds have developed more social skills. They understand that My toys are mine and yours are yours. They are more willing to share their toys and enter into one-on-one play situations.
Cooperative Play
Five Years and Older - They can now understand and follow the rules of games. They can accept problem-solving suggestions from adults and are more willing to compromise in order to get along with their friends.
GOOD PLAY TIME
Parents have a major role in shaping their child's play experience. By selecting the right toys, creating an appealing play area, and understanding their child's developmental needs as well as their individual preferences, they can enjoy taking part in childhood's most magical moments.
Parents' Role
Mother and Father are the two most important people in a child's world. When parents participate and play along with their child, they are their children's best toys! Parents should encourage and admire their child when they are playing happily. A smile, a simple phrase or a hug shows that you are proud of their accomplishments.
Play It Their Way
Giving your child the freedom to play the way they like allows them to explore at their own pace. Follow your child's lead and do not direct them to play the way you want. This will help to develop self-confidence and foster creativity. Parents' nurturing care during playtime helps build a strong and healthy parent-child relationship.
Appropriate Toys
You can provide toys that are just right for your child at any stage by observing their interests and following guidelines for age appropriateness. As you watch your child grow and acquire new skills, you can help them learn by providing toys that offer exciting new challenges. When your child is playing with specific toys often and repeatedly, it shows that they're enjoying the learning process and have developed comfortable patterns of play.
When selecting toys, it is essential to consider quality rather than quantity. Children can be easily overwhelmed with too many toys, or be disappointed in poorly constructed toys that break. While watching your child play, you'll be able to see which types of toys they prefer. Rotating toys can be a useful strategy for parents. This means selecting some of the lesser used toys and removing them from the play area for a period of time. You can return these toys when your child appears to be losing interest in their current set of playthings. By combining groups of toys in different ways, children can create new ways of playing.
Sharing
Learning to willingly share one's toys with others is one of the fundamental social tasks of childhood. Parents need to be aware that this skill develops gradually over time. Two year olds are not ready to share simply because they're not able to think about the other child's point of view. However a five year old knows the difference between sharing and owning toys. They are also able to appreciate the concept of sharing toys in order to make friends. Parents can help by setting up situations where sharing is a positive choice. Also, specially treasured items should not be required to be shared (i.e. a special blanket, or teddy bear). It can be explained to the other child that some things are not for sharing, but other toys can be offered.
The Play Area
An ideal playing environment is clean, bright, well organized and scaled to a child's size. During infancy, most toys are kept in a playpen or fastened to the crib. As the child grows they need a space indoors and outdoors where they can play safely. Toys should be stored in bins or boxes where they can easily be seen and parts can be kept together in sets. Children will have more fun playing with their toys if they know where to find them. Even very young children gain great satisfaction from taking care of their things and learning to put them away in the right place when playtime is over.
MY WORK IS PLAY
Children have a job that they love, and that job is to play. It is during play that they learn about themselves and the world around them. From infancy through childhood, children learn, grow and express themselves creatively while they play.
When a three month old baby sees an object, he is not yet able to grasp it with his hands. He is still trying to master controlling his arms and measuring the distance to the object with his eyes. But in a few short months, he can focus on a toy at almost any distance, reach for it, grasp it, and bring it close to him. This level of coordination develops with time and practice. Parents can help by providing encouragement and age appropriate toys.
Throughout childhood, play serves as a means to develop physical abilities, cognitive skills, speech, and language understanding. While absorbed in play, children establish friendships, build self esteem and learn new ways to solve problems. It is one of life's great joys to watch children happily engaged in playing. By carefully choosing toys and providing a safe play area, parents can ensure that their children will make the most of this special time.
