| Although it's hard to say when the first stuffed dogs | | | | Interactive play between parent and child, using |
| appeared, I would guess that it was soon after dogs | | | | stuffed dogs as props, can be a fun way to |
| were domesticated. We do know that as long as | | | | introduce them to the idea that a pet should be |
| there have been children, there have been dolls, | | | | handled with gentle loving care. |
| rattles, miniature weapons, and hand-made animals. | | | | At this stage, objects still get mouthed, so stuffed |
| Anthropologists have found evidence of toys dating | | | | dogs should still have short pile fabric.2 to 3 |
| back to the earliest records of human life.Play is | | | | years=========Finally, you can graduate to nice, |
| universal and cross-cultural. Though it may vary | | | | furry stuffed dogs! The long pile isn't considered a |
| among cultures and generations, it's clearly instinctive | | | | hazard--mainly because children age 2 to 3 no longer |
| and a key part of our development. A child's play is | | | | place everything in their mouths.* Kids this age have |
| his way of learning about himself and his world. Play | | | | developed good hand coordination and like to put it |
| opens the door to a child's imagination. Some of our | | | | to work with arts and crafts and simple puzzles. Plain |
| fondest memories from childhood are recollections of | | | | stuffed dogs make use of a creative imagination. You |
| time spent playing with special people and favorite | | | | might also consider a doggie hand or finger puppet. |
| toys.A classic among childhood toys is the Teddy | | | | These work the mind as well as hands and |
| Bear, who made his appearance in 1903 and is still | | | | fingers!*No more thumbs or pacifiers at this age!! It |
| popular today. Although the Teddy Bear may be | | | | will affect your child's oral and dental development.3 |
| famous because of his political affiliation (he was | | | | to 6 years=========After age three, make-believe |
| named after Theodore Roosevelt), just about any | | | | is a favorite pastime and children interact with each |
| stuffed toy can become a child's favorite. Especially | | | | other, using toys as props. It's common at this age |
| for infants and toddlers, there's great comfort and | | | | to develop strong attachments to favorite toys, and |
| reassurance in having soft, cuddly companions like | | | | express feelings towards a particular doll, teddy bear, |
| stuffed dogs to snuggle up with.As surely as children | | | | or stuffed dog. Toys representing favorite cartoon |
| play with toys, their needs and interests change as | | | | or TV characters might be the objects of affection. |
| they grow and mature. As a child matures, a stuffed | | | | Puppets are also lot of fun for games of |
| toy may come to represent a favorite animal in | | | | make-believe.6 to 9 years========By now, more |
| nature. Toy stuffed dogs might be huggable versions | | | | sophisticated games and toys are likely to have |
| of media characters like a cartoon or comic strip dog | | | | replaced stuffed toys. The exception is young |
| ("Snoopy", "Scooby Doo", "Blues Clues", etc.). Finally, | | | | collectors, looking for stuffed dogs to add to their |
| stuffed dogs can play the role of imaginary family | | | | menageries. Collectors defy age categories; the |
| pets.When shopping for stuffed dogs for small | | | | "beanie baby" craze is a great example of this. |
| children, keep in mind the child's age, interests, and | | | | Personally, I never played with dolls as a kid but had |
| abilities. Be especially careful when selecting toys for | | | | an enviable collection of stuffed animals, and am still a |
| children under age 3. Labels help consumers narrow | | | | sucker for a cute stuffed toy. Puppets are still |
| down which toys are right for a child, but here are | | | | appealing, as well as some of the nontraditional forms |
| some general guidelines regarding stuffed toys for | | | | of stuffed dogs. These might include a pair of slippers |
| children from birth to three years of age:For children | | | | in the form of a favorite dog breed, or bookmarks |
| in the one to three year age range, avoid toys with | | | | made to look like stuffed dogs.9 years and |
| small parts that could be swallowed, aspirated (inhaled | | | | up==========Especially as they approach their |
| into the air passages or lungs) or inserted into the | | | | teens, children want to impress their peers and leave |
| nose or ears. The eyes and noses of stuffed dogs | | | | "childish" toys behind. Stuffed dogs, and stuffed toys |
| should be securely fastened and the seams well | | | | in general, are only for young collectors in this age |
| sewn. Avoid stuffed dogs with any sharp corners, | | | | group. There are variations on stuffed dogs you |
| rough edges, or strings.Here are some specific | | | | might do better with. For example, a pair of dog |
| guidelines to keep in mind according to a child's | | | | slippers, a dog backpack or purse, or stuffed dogs |
| age:Birth to 6 months=============For the first | | | | suspended from key chains. Young (and old1) golfers |
| few months babies can't grasp with their hands, so | | | | would love a plush golf head cover in the shape of |
| choose toys that stimulate with sight and sound. High | | | | their favorite dog.Finally, since your household (or the |
| contrast, black-and-white or brightly colored toys and | | | | one you're shopping for) may have children of |
| toys that make noise (like a squeeker toy) will get | | | | different ages, here are some general rules you can |
| baby 's attention. Puppets can be used by adults to | | | | follow for fun and safe play:TEN STEPS TO FUN |
| entertain baby.Once the baby has learned to grasp, | | | | AND SAFE PLAY *1. When shopping for toys, keep |
| look for textured toys that are safe for mouthing. | | | | in mind the child's age, interests and abilities.2. Read |
| Choose stuffed dogs with short pile fabric.Never | | | | toy or packaging labels for age ranges and safety |
| hand a toy from the crib, stroller, playpen, etc., or | | | | warnings.3. Be especially careful when choosing toys |
| around babies neck.6 months to 1 | | | | for children under three. Select toys that are free of |
| year=============Infants become more mobile | | | | small pieces (or pieces that separate or can be |
| at this age and interact more with their toys. This is | | | | broken off), are lightweight, have no sharp edges or |
| also the age when they love to drop things, so nice | | | | points and are non-toxic.4. At home, read instructions |
| soft stuffed dogs will earn points with Mom for the | | | | for assembly and use. Keep product literature in case |
| absence of loud crashing sounds as they hit the floor!! | | | | of future questions and complete warranty cards.5. |
| Of course, your peace and quiet could be spoiled by | | | | Remove and discard all packaging from a toy before |
| the fact that toys that squeak when squeezed are | | | | giving it to a baby or small child.6. Consider the home |
| popular at this age. Puppets are still a great way for | | | | environment in which a child will play with a toy and |
| parents to hold a child's attention, and there's even | | | | younger children who may be there. A toy intended |
| one popular brand that doubles as a washcloth at | | | | for an older child may be dangerous in the hands of a |
| bath time.The stuffed dogs you choose should still | | | | younger one.7. Always provide toys in conjunction |
| have a short pile fabric. Babies start teething at 6 | | | | with sensible supervision. Supervise children when |
| months, and will definitely chew on their toys, so | | | | they play and set good examples of safe play.8. |
| make sure you buy toys that you can throw in the | | | | Remind caregivers, including grandparents, of |
| washing machine1 to 2 years=========During their | | | | play-related safety concerns9. Do not leave toys on |
| second year of like, children love to explore. Their | | | | stairs. Choose a safe storage place for toys. ( |
| play is more physical and involves experimentation | | | | Anything large enough for a child to climb inside |
| and imitation of adults. At this stage, stuffed dogs | | | | should have a cover that's easily removed).10. Check |
| might be seen as "pretend pets" to befriend and care | | | | toys at least every three months to determine their |
| for. This could be a good rehearsal for the real thing. | | | | safety. Make any repairs immediately or throw away |
| Children are not instinctively gentle with animals. | | | | damaged toys. |