Toys for Different Age Groups
Parents, teachers, and guardians have begun to voice concerns about the toys currently on the market for young children. Recently, many toys have been recalled due to safety concerns. This has led to many people wondering how to choose a safe, interesting toy for their young child or student.
NAEYC suggests that all toys for young children should have no sharp points or parts that may pinch small fingers or become a choking hazard. These toys should be painted with nontoxic, lead-free paint, be shatterproof and easily cleaned. For electronic toys, make sure to check that it has been “UL Approved,” which means the Underwriters Laboratories has approved the toy for safety. Even once the toy has been purchased, it’s important to remember that general wear and tear on a toy may cause it to become hazardous and parents should check on toys frequently to ensure they are still in safe, working order.
Once you have determined that the toy is safe, make sure that it also meets the developmental stage and ability of your child. While a trip to the toy store is always fun, many safe and stimulating toys can be found right at home, such as bowls, lids, cardboard boxes and hundreds of other household treasures that can become almost anything with the right imagination. The following list gives a general idea of what toy works best with what age child. Remember this is a guideline and you should choose toys according to the interest and developmental level of your child.
Birth-6 Months
- Babies this young typically respond to bright colors and noise. They are learning to follow with their eyes and grab for things. Good toys for this age would be rattles, squeeze toys, vinyl books, soft dolls, teething toys and textured balls.
7-12 Months
- Babies this age are beginning to roll over and scoot around. They can identify body parts and enjoy finding objects and putting things in containers. Good toys for this age group are nesting toys, large blocks and cubes, pull toys, and soft toys to crawl over.
1 year olds
- At one year old, a baby can walk and loves to move around. They are beginning to say their first words and enjoy hearing stories. These children love to experiment and test the limits. One year olds will enjoy board books, rhyming songs, crayons, toy phones, baby strollers, play cars and puzzles.
2 year olds
- At this age, children are typically learning language and are interested in testing their physical limits. Their fine motor skills have improved and they are able to play with smaller toys. Toddlers will enjoy problem-solving toys such as puzzles, sorting games, dress up, picture books, and pre-made tunnels for running and hiding in.
3 to 6 year olds
- These children have longer attention spans. They talk a lot and ask a lot of questions. In turn they are able to share, but don’t always like to. Children this age are also becoming more confident in their physical skills and like to play with more physical toys. It’s at this age that children begin to experiment with “real life” toys such as kitchen sets, play food, etc.
Also, toddlers this age will continue to enjoy problem solving toys as well as crayons, markers, finger paints and clay. At this age, children are safe to ride a YBIKE, and play with faux hammers and other toys that involve using their gross motor skills.
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