Considerations while Choosing Play Toys - Essay Example

The age of a child is key in deciding what would be more helpful to them as they go through a specific milestone. The manufacturers often indicate the age suitable for a particular toy but this is only but a guide. Children are unique in their own way and therefore the child could be within the age specified by the manufacturer but their skill levels incompatible with the toy functionality. (Stephens). For example, a child who hasn’t learned language can’t use the word puzzle toy even if within the age specified by the manufacturer.

Other than toys being a source of entertainment, they play a crucial role in assisting the children to learn. A good choice of toy would be one that can help a child master a skill they are currently learning. A child learning language would be greatly assisted by buying word puzzles toy which will assist them to be able to construct words thus build on their vocabulary. (Stephens). One learning color differentiation would benefit from a toy that has different colors, for example, crayons.

Toys if not well selected could present hazards that might cause injuries thus slowing down child development. (Stephens). It is critical that a toy carefully checked before purchase to ascertain the quality and avoid loose fittings that could be ingested by the child causing choking. The toys should therefore be of a more preferable bigger size which can’t be swallowed by the child. One should check that they are no sharp edges, no harmful chemicals, and also fits into the age bracket of the child.

The actual form of the toy is also very paramount. As a parent you will need to decide whether you want to expose your child to toys with violent themes, Some toys are constructed in the form of weapons which might make your child want to emulate their functionality thus depict arrogance in their plays and pick up vices associated with the usage of the toy. (Stephens). On the other hand, carefully picked toys would enhance child’s imaginations, a sense of accomplishment once they use them successfully, and eventually build on their self-esteem. (Stephens).

Gender is also vital in toy choice as some toys are deemed too masculine for girls and the reverse also holds. (Stephens). Boys are more fascinated with cars, for example, and not dolls, unlike girls. Boys also like action-like creations such as guns, running people, football shapes while girls like toys that express emotions such as parental love. (Kuykendall). Colour choice associated with a different gender can also be considered. (Kuykendall).

                                          Suggested Toys (Part II)

At this, the paper narrows down to toys that are suggested by a number of manufacturers for children between ages 3 and 6 years. These children's best toy choices would be puzzles, numbers, and letters which enhance their imagination. Below is an analysis of three manufacturer-recommended toys for this age group.

This toy can be used by a child to identify and match shapes as it has a shape-sorting lid and five different shapes that help to horn their identification skills. They are easy to hold and the numerous colors help the child learn them and the handle makes them easy to carry.  The child develops great eye and hand coordination is able to solve problems, and generally attractive to a child given its appearance. A parent would go for this toy for its portability and as an educator, this will be a good toy to enhance the skills a child of this age would be mastering. (Kuykendall).

                                    (Dado)

Each set of Dado has ten cubes, scaled from one inch to five inches, and has the ability to build structures of over 32 inches high. Dado puts together art and science as the child explores architectural principles being a proportion, balance, structure, and color. These are classic building blocks that engage a child’s imagination as the slits on each cube are interlocked to create an infinite number of three-dimensional structures. It develops problem-solving skills and visual development. It, therefore, makes a child represent the real-world images they encounter in their day-to-day interaction with the environment.  A parent would buy this for the child for the value it will add to the child’s skills development and also durability. I would find this very useful in stirring a child’s creativity skills. (Kuykendall)

The toy is fresh in the market, redesigned, and is alphabet-themed which includes plenty of colorful, generously-sized wooden magnets, upper and lower case letters that are high quality. Its developmental value is on learning words, grammar. A parent will buy it for their durability and for the fact that the entire back of the letter is a magnet it won’t fall off easily making it less messy in the house, I would not select the toy for the use of magnet in the creation can be harmful to the child if they put it in the mouth and can also be hazardous due to its size.

All the above two toys would be valuable in teaching and learning young children. The teacher will find the toy appropriate in encouraging the child to be more creative and come up with different creations using the cubes. The child also learns to problem solve, element of stability, and reflection on the things they see in the world they live in with the help of these toys.