Are Your Child's Toys Safe?

Educational toys are one of the best ways to facilitate the educational and developmental growth of a child as well as promote strong relationship building between parent and child. However, when choosing a toy(s) for a child, there are three things that consumers should keep in mind before purchasing any toy. Is the toy(s) safe, affordable and age (developmental) appropriate. 

In today's toy manufacturing market, government regulations and improved safety standards have made most toys safe when used in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. However, although regulations and standards for toy manufacturing has improved over the years, parents and caregivers need to take note that this does not mean that a toy is safe. To determine a toy safety considerations should be made as to how much uses or abuse the toy may experience as well as how the toy is to be used for its optimum enjoyment. Also keep in mind that toy safety goes beyond its basic construction. For instance, some toys may pose an emotional or social risk which also renders them unsafe, such as violence and or negative racial, ethnic, cultural or gender overtones. The toys that parents and caregivers permit their children to play with good or bad will play a part in the development of their child's value system.    

Next, children do not need expensive toys although the expense may reflect the effectiveness as well as its appealing properties to keep a child engaged over a period of time. There is no benefit for child or parent whether a toy is expensive or inexpensive if the child loses interest in a short period of time, which brings us to the toy being age appropriate.

Age appropriate toys are toys that will challenge a child without frustrating him/her or cause the child to lose interest because he/she has developed beyond the toys capability to challenge their thinking and or motor skills. They are toys that not only cause children to use their current skills, but also aid in developing additional skills. An understanding of which toys are appropriate for which age is useful when purchasing toy, so if parents and caregivers are not quite sure as to which toys are safe, affordable and age (developmental) appropriate, they can consult a pediatrician or an educator the specializes in early childhood education and development.

There is great power released for brain development through positive daily interaction with your child. Educational toys can provide children with vigorous physical activities as well as social and emotional development as parents and caregivers provide quality experiences through interaction. Creating opportunities that will challenge their imaginations and cause their creative juices to flow with toys that are safe, affordable and age appropriate will open the door for your child's future success. 


.

The Technological Explosion

With the release of so many toys and videos in today's consumer market that claim to have educational and developmental qualities for children, consumers should do some research before accepting toy manufacturers claims. A little research can reveal a lot about a products potential educational and developmental benefits as well as whether it is age appropriate for a child.

Do not be surprised that even some of the television programs that your children watch as well as the numerous DVD's and video games, known as "screen media," are not educational at all but tend to only mesmerize or what is said in more modern terms, cause children to "zone out" rather than educate them. For some time now we have been experiencing great technological advances. Interestingly enough, as electronic technology advances the age of children using this technology has dropped considerably. Research reveals that the use of consumer electronics among children reaches all the way down to infancy. This is not a bad thing per se, but developmental science suggests that children from infancy to two years of age are most vulnerable to negative effects such as aggressive behavior, various fears or phobias as well as sleep disturbances due to exposure to various screen media.

Parents should keep in mind that critical brain connections are produced in children from zero to six years of age. During this age parents and caregivers should provide the necessary interaction through play to optimize the brains development. Because screen media does not provide this, researchers state that the risks of exposing children from infancy to two, to screen media far outweigh the benefits and so recommend parents and caregivers against its use. For children from age two to six, the use of screen media can be used but should be limited to one to two hours a day. However, parents and caregivers should keep a close watch for any negative behavioral reactions that their child may begin to develop.

The benefits of educational play during a child’s early years can provide the stimulation and experiences that create a foundation of learning and growing. As more parents grasp the idea of educational play as well as increased personal interaction with their children, we will all enjoy the benefits. It is much wiser and cost effective to invest into a child’s life today than to address the problems that could have possibly been avoided later in life

Let's Make Pretend

Pretend play is a very important of healthy childhood development. It is known to researchers as "Sociodramatic Play" or "Imaginative Play". It is a type of free play in which children engage in creative and imaginative social interactions. Pretend play has been shown to effectively promote the development of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills in children especially with autistic children.

Parents, teachers and or caregivers should create opportunities for children which allow their imagination to be released. It is the place where children carry out action plans, take on roles, and transform objects as they express their ideas and feelings about the world around them. Pretend play challenges children to see new solutions to life problems. Researcher believe children that do not play and use their imagination regularly when they are young may grow into anxious, socially maladjusted adults.

Educational toys provide support in the development of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills in children. They also provide a bridge for a child's interaction with parents or caregiver. According to an article by the "American Academy of Pediatrics" when adults participate in the play of children, learning is enhanced. Parents are able to observe the skills their child currently has and also help expand those skills.

When choosing educational toys that promote pretend play look for toys that reflect real life situations, such as a kitchen set, rocket ships, various vehicles, action figures, playhouses, various rockers, etc. Also be sure to check that the toy is safe for your child and that it is the right size as well as quality and durability. Be sure that they can stand up to heavy use because you don't want to restrict play in order to preserve a fragile toy. Then think about how it fits in his/her general interests. Most important, make pretend play an event for you and your child.