Toys are enjoyable and essential to a child’s growth. However, many children receive treatment for toy-related injuries in hospital ERs each year. Because they have a tendency to put things in their mouths, children ages 3 and younger are at risk for choking.
Manufacturers adhere to regulations and designate the majority of new toys for particular age ranges. However, the most crucial thing a parent can do is to watch over play, especially for small children.
Why Is Toy Safety So Important?
A newborn is usually fascinated about everything, and practically everything ends up in her mouth. Despite your best efforts as a parent, accidents can still occur. Because of this, it’s crucial to think about toy safety when choosing which toys your child can play with.
Follow Age Restrictions For Toys’ Safety.
Age restrictions on toys are more than just lovely ideas. Instead, they’re there to make sure your child’s toys are both safe and developmentally suitable for their age (purchasing toys for older kids makes your child frustrated). For instance, toys marketed for infants under the age of 18 months will not contain any strings, straps, or cords longer than twelve inches..
- Inform you if the toy is secure. If there are any potential choking dangers, for instance.
- give you a hint as to whether your child will be able to comprehend how to use the toy.
- assist you in choosing a toy that will suit your child’s interests, needs, and developmental stage.
Select Toys That Are Durable
Your child’s toys must be durable enough to survive jarring drops, pulls, twists, and falls without breaking. Additionally, they must remain intact if your child attempts to chew on them or merely puts a piece of the item in their mouth.
Because babies and toddlers can often be rough with toys as they play and explore, it is important to secure all toy parts tightly. Check for any loose or breakable components that, if baby eats and dislodges them, could present a choking hazard.
Toys made of plastic should be thicker rather than thinner, and other toys should be made of durable materials that won’t break easily. Additionally, picking stuffed animals without potentially detachable buttons, eyes, ears, or noses is necessary.
Be Sure To Read And Follow The Labels
Make sure the age suggestion on the package corresponds to the age of your child to ensure that the toys your little one plays with are age-appropriate. The age restrictions on toys for small children are there for their safety.
Continue when you’ve confirmed that the ages match. Recognize the toy’s intended usage and check to see if it’s actually appropriate for your youngster. After choosing a toy, demonstrate safe play for your child before handing it on. Encourage toddlers not to put the toys in their mouths as part of this.
Make Sure They Choose Toys That Promote Exploration And Problem-Solving
Children have the opportunity to repeatedly practice new abilities while playing. Toys that allow children to solve problems independently or with some guidance help them develop their capacity for logical thought and help them become persistent problem solvers. Additionally, they aid in the development of hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills (using the small muscles in the hands and fingers), and spatial relations abilities (understanding how things fit together).
Try To Find Toys That Will Inspire Your cmChild’s Creativity
In his third year, your child’s imagination truly begins to blossom as he can now pretend to be someone else (such as a king) and to transform everyday objects (such as blocks) into a variety of other things (like a piece of cake). Consider buying your youngster some toys that he may use to act out and build stories. Playing pretend helps children develop their language, literacy, and sequencing skills as well as their problem-solving abilities .
Give Your kid The Opportunity To Play With “Actual” Objects—Or With Toys That Mimic Real Objects
Your child is getting better at figuring out how everyday objects, such as television remote controls and light switches, operate. She wants to be strong and capable like you, therefore she also enjoys playing with your “real” things, like your cell phone. These kinds of toys assist kids in problem-solving, learning spatial relations (how things go together), and honing their fine motor abilities (use of the small muscles in the hands and fingers).
Place A Few “Reading Readiness” Toys in The Mix
Your child can learn the basics of writing and reading with the aid of books, magnetic alphabet letters, and art supplies like markers, crayons, and fingerpaints. Your child will enjoy looking at and playing with “real-life” props like takeout menus, catalogs, or magazines while also becoming more accustomed to letters, text, and print.
We Should Look For Toys That Encourage Intergenerational Play
Although practically everything can be played by both adults and children, some toys are made specifically for adult engagement. Early board games that require using one’s memory or basic board games that don’t require reading are enjoyable for players of all ages as your child approaches age 3 and beyond. Start a “family game night” when you play games together. Playing board games fosters listening, self-control, memory, matching, and counting skills (as children learn to follow the rules). They also develop communication and interpersonal skills. Teaching kids how to accept defeat and be gracious winners has significant positive effects.
Conclusion
Depending on the child, the effects of each toy may differ. The toyfort provides three feet of entertaining sliding play equipment as a result, which may be used both inside and outside. To encourage your child’s cognitive, emotional, and motor development, you must choose a variety of toys. Toys should be used to keep kids entertained while promoting learning because kids need to play. After reading our suggestions for choosing toys for toddlers, you are now ready to go toy shopping.