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