Play is a Child's Work

Play is fun, but at the same time it helps children develop and learn.  Toys are often part of play, therefore choosing good toys for children is important.

Stores are filled with dazzling, loud electronic toys whose lights and noise catch the attention of children and adults.  Toy makers try to convince us that these toys will make children smarter, and keep them happy for hours.  These claims can be unrealistic, and even false.  In fact, basic, 'low-tech' toys usually provide more play value than expensive 'high-tech' toys.

Good Play Value

A toy has good play value when it:

• has many different uses (e.g. cups of different sizes can be used for stacking, nesting, filling, and pouring);

• can continue to be enjoyed as the child grows, and develops new skills (e.g. blocks for grasping, putting into containers, and stacking);

• provides chances to explore, experiment, and imagine, helping the child learn about the world, and how to play with others (e.g. dolls, balls, and dress-up clothes); and

• helps the child learn to solve problems (e.g. pull-toys and pop-up toys).

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"High-Tech" Toys

Electronic toys often: 

• do not offer good play value; 

• have many buttons, lights and sounds, which limit creativity, imagination, and learning;

• teach children to expect immediate rewards; and

• can be costly to buy and supply with batteries.

Prevent Hearing Damage

Some toys are loud enough to damage hearing permanently - some are as loud as a lawn mower!  Hearing damage occurs when a noisy toy's sound is:

• very loud, even of very  short (such as a bang);
• listened too close to the child's ear; or
• repeated over and over.

It's up to you to protect your child's hearing.  You can:

• listen to the toy - if it's too loud, don't buy it!; 

• choose quiet toys;

• choose toys with a volume control, teach your child to use it, and establish a 'low volume' rule;and

• remove the batteries from noisy, electronic toys.

Make Informed Toy Choices

When choosing toys, it is important to look for toys that meet the good play value criteria.
Remember:

• most basic toys offer good play value, and never go out of style (e.g. blocks, balls, and stacking rings); and

• some good toys are simply safe household objects (e.g. plastic tubs, pots, pans, and wooden spoons).

When Selecting toys, also consider:

• all aspects of safety including noise level;

• the child's age and abilities, 

• whether the toy promotes play with other people as well as solitary play; and 

• the costs to buy, to operate, and to the enviroment.

       Never forget...you are your child's favourite toy!!!

 

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