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alt="Images"/> Get your child involved in the selection process.

      

Prepare your child carefully ahead of time so she knows that everything that attracts her attention may not necessarily be purchased. The skill of saying “no” gently, but firmly—and sticking to it—is possibly a parent’s greatest challenge.

       Make The Most of Toy Shopping

      

Analyze what she needs before going to the store. Her attention span is short so you will want to narrow the different choices into specific categories.

      

Give her the choice among two or three possibilities.

      

Gather a few possibilities, and then ask her, for example, “Which puzzle do you like?”

      

Screen the products with the help of our guidelines. Giving your child several options is important to her learning process. This helps her become more discerning and self-confident by allowing her free choice while you exercise the necessary control over what she chooses from. By giving her choices, you show that you trust her judgment and she will become more confident and a more careful and knowledgeable consumer.

      In each chapter we will discuss specific things to look for when selecting toys for each stage of a child’s growth, but there are some basic points that you should remember for any toy that you buy.

       Shopping Guidelines

      What are some of the qualities to look for when selecting a good product?

      DESIGN. The product must have been tested carefully by the manufacturer with the intended age group. The best possible materials should have been used in assembly. The item should be durable. The toy should be easy for the child to use and to keep clean.

      QUALITY. Consider what materials are used to make the article. Is the product appealing in color, shape, and workmanship? We expect to get what we pay for but, unfortunately, sometimes this is not true and we are disappointed.

      DURABILITY. How long will the selection last? Is it childproof? Can it be easily broken? A plaything should be long lasting, substantial, and made of good materials.

      SAFETY. The toy must be tested by an independent toy testing laboratory. It must meet safety standards and requirements. See more details on toy safety later in this chapter and throughout the book.

      VALUE. You will want a product that lasts as long as possible and has many different and long-lasting uses. Good examples of toys with high play value are blocks, construction toys, and yo-yos. The item should have clear instructions so you and your child are guided to its best use by the designer and the manufacturer.

      APPROPRIATENESS. The toy must fulfill the usual play patterns for the child’s age. Products that are too complex are easily frustrating. Toys that are too easy are boring. When necessary, show the child how to use the plaything properly. It’s best, however, to allow your child to discover how to use the product himself, depending on his age and ability.

       Dr. Toy’s Product Guidelines

      Another important way to look at toys is by evaluating their active, creative, and educational features.

      Active playthings improve the child’s physical activity and exercise. They help develop large and small muscles, eye-hand coordination, dexterity, and encourage children to learn and practice climbing, crawling, and improving balance.

      Items that assist in active play include balls, bicycles, blocks, skates, punching bags, jump ropes, pounding toys, and ride-ons. Other active products include construction toys, adventure props, and manipulatives such as puzzles. Children do enjoy “destructive” play, which means breaking down or mixing up things like sand, clay, or blocks. Kids like to build up, take apart, and punch things. Why not? It’s fun!

      Creative toys stimulate the child’s imagination at all levels. She can experience surprise, can expand her thinking, and she will be encouraged in self-expression.

      Examples of creative toy products are blocks, crafts, dollhouses, mirrors, musical instruments, puppets, stuffed animals, and art supplies. You will also want to select items to foster the child’s dramatic ability, social skills, musical and artistic development. Puppets, games and cooperative activities help children to interact with each other, while being considerate and taking turns may be fostered with baby dolls and art or music activities.

      Educational aspects of a toy help a child learn specific skills, and sometimes several skills at once. Any toy can be educational if the child’s shown how to use it in an enriching way. The right object can help with reading and writing, and can build skills, which prepare the child for science and counting. You will want a balance of playthings to stimulate your child’s mental abilities, challenge his thinking, and help him in problem solving.

      Some items, which contribute in the educational arena, are board games, blocks, books, checkers, construction toys, pegboards, puzzles, science projects, hobbies (stamps or coin collecting), software, CD’s, audio- and videotapes, apps, microscopes, telescopes and other special equipment.

      Certainly you, as “Play Guide,” must think about future school participation, after-school activities, vacation times, sickness and other encounters the child will have. How can you assure that the toys he plays with now will help ready him for future demands? The answers can be found in this book.

       Dr. Toy’s Tips on Selecting Toys

      

Is the toy safe? Are there any potential hazards? Is the product too small? Any sharp edges or loose ties? Is it nontoxic? Durable? Will it take rough treatment? Does it meet Consumer Product Safety Standards? Is there a guarantee on the product?

      

Is the product fun? A toy or children’s product is supposed to entertain the child. It should amuse, delight, excite, and be enjoyable.

      

Is the product appropriate? Is this toy or product significant now? Does it fit the child’s age, skills, and abilities? Will it hold his or her interest? Will s/he use the product happily?

      

Is the product well designed? Is it easy to use? Does it look good? Feel good?

      

Is the product versatile? Is there more than one use for the product?

      

Is the product durable? Will it be something that will last a long time? Children play hard and subject their toys to a lot of abuse and wear.

      

Is the product enticing to the child? Does it offer an opportunity for fun, to learn, and to think? Does it help her learn about her living environment? Is the toy or product inviting?

      

Will

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