| Fond memories of childhood usually bring to mind a | | | | They are busy developing new skills. They like |
| favorite toy. A cuddly doll, colorful crayons, or a | | | | drawing, painting, and building. They also spend a |
| special wagon are all childhood favorites. Toys bring a | | | | great deal of time pretending. Dress-up clothes, |
| great deal of joy to children, but they also can be | | | | pretend play and puppets are big favorites. |
| valuable learning tools. Exploring, pretending, and | | | | Preschoolers are energetic and active. They need |
| sharing are just a few of the important skills children | | | | large balls to roll and throw, wagons to pull, and |
| develop while they play. Toys don't have to be | | | | tricycles to ride. |
| expensive. Cardboard boxes in the backyard and | | | | School-age Children - At this stage child learn about |
| measuring cups in the bathtub are favorite standards. | | | | getting along with others, and about the adult world |
| But parents who do wish to purchase toys may find | | | | of sports, games and careers. They develop |
| it helpful to know what toys to choose and which to | | | | intellectual and social interests and make strong |
| avoid for children of different ages. | | | | friendships, likes and dislikes. School-age children feel |
| Infants and Toddlers - Every child is unique, has its | | | | more grown-up and love activities that lead to "real |
| specific pattern of development and has different | | | | products" such as jewelry, "designer" T-shirts, or |
| ways of cruising through the milestones of physical, | | | | stamp collections. They also develop a keen interest |
| mental and social development. Infants and toddlers | | | | in sports and enjoy having adult-like physical |
| learn about the world through their senses. They are | | | | equipment such as softball gloves, tennis rackets, or |
| interested in the sight, sound, smell, texture, and | | | | skates. They have a better understanding of rules |
| taste of things. Objects or toys that can be | | | | and enjoy playing with others. Board games, cards, or |
| squeezed, dropped, poked, twisted, or thrown are | | | | dominoes teach math concepts and problem-solving |
| sure to cause delight. Toddlers also enjoy any item | | | | skills. |
| that can be stacked, poured, opened, closed, pushed, | | | | The age of your child and not the activity level, is a |
| or pulled. Toys are vital for the physical and mental | | | | primary factor in selecting an appropriate educational |
| development of your infant baby. The toys have a | | | | learning toys. Toys should not promote a single |
| significant bearing on your infant's personality, | | | | thought or concept; instead, they should enhance |
| therefore must be carefully selected. | | | | creativity and thinking skills. Toys and games are also |
| Preschoolers - During these years, children use their | | | | important for the child to learn and practice logical |
| imagination to imitate adult activity and participate | | | | and problem-solving. Toys that can be played in a |
| actively in physical games. Their physical coordination | | | | number of ways serve as great educational tools and |
| develops, and the foundation of printing and writing is | | | | endorse comprehensive development of your child. |
| also laid at this time. Preschool children learn by doing. | | | | |