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Preschool Toy Selection

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Submitted By missyg30
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When choosing toys for young children an early childhood educator has guidelines to follow to make sure they are appropriate for a specific age group. First, the toy needs to be developmentally appropriate for the age group in question. This means the toy should be challenging but not frustrating. The complexity of the toy needs to be age appropriate as well. If the child is unable to figure out how the toys works, he or she will not want to play with it they will give up and move on to another toy. The toy also needs to be safe for the intended age group. This means the toy passes the choke test for ages 0-3. There should be no sharp edges that could scratch or cut the child. Any possible eye danger should be considered as well. Another guideline to be considered is whether or not the toy is appealing to a child in the intended age group. The color, shape, and style should be considered and looked at when choosing appropriate toys. Play opportunities with the toy should be open ended, meaning the toy should stimulate thinking within the intended age group. There should also be more than one answer or way to use the toy. In an educational setting, toys should be multicultural but not stereotypical, meaning there should be no biases or prejudices in the classrooms. Weapons should not be included with toys and any aggression should not be encouraged. There are many other ways and guidelines to be considered when purchasing age appropriate toys for children. These should be considered whether a parent is purchasing toys for their children or an educator purchasing toys for the classroom.

The age group I chose is toddlers, aged one to three years. I am currently working in a child care, educational facility with young children within this age group. I find it helpful to research this age group. The firs toy I chose to research appropriate for this age group is the Wooden Geometric Stacking Puzzle. This toy is labeled appropriate for children aged eighteen months and older. The puzzle has larger pieces which makes it easier for younger children to manipulate the pieces. This toys is also vibrantly colored, which makes it more appealing to children of this age. It is also durable and not easily broken by children. As a parent, I would say that parents would choose this toy because not only is it educational but it is fun and a toy that is easy for children to play with. As an educator of children of this age group, it is a toy that I would love to have in my classroom. It teaches the children to understand the idea of puzzles and hopefully give them an early love of puzzles and even education.
Wooden Geometric Stacking Puzzle

The next toy I found that I thought appropriate for this age group is the Mega Blocks Play n Go Table. This is a great toy for both younger and older toddlers. Younger toddlers will learn to demonstrate more refined hand skills for stacking blocks. Older toddlers can use it for more elaborate pretend play, the table includes a car and racetrack, which will help with imaginative play. The toy is appealing to children this age because it is colorful with many different options for play. Another reason children love this toy is because there are block and all children love blocks. Parents would like this toy because it has the potential to keep children occupied for a long time. It also is easily manipulated to be stored in a smaller space, which parents will find convenient. It also has a hidden handle, which will make it easy for parents to carry which makes it easier to take with on vacation and other places. I would definitely use this toy in my classroom because children this age love blocks. This toy also has educational advantages as well as imaginative.
Mega Blocks Play n Go Table

The final toy I felt would be appropriate for this age group is the Fisher Price People Animal Zoo Talker. This toy is educationally appropriate and fun for toddlers. This toy will teach children their animal names and the sounds they make. Parents would buy this toy because it is educationally appropriate for their child. They will be happy to see their child learning the names of animals and the sounds they make. They will see their child grow educationally as well as develop the speech. I would choose this toys for my classroom for many of the same reasons. I think it would be a great toy to teach children about animals and develop their speech. They also love toys that make noise and this will be very fun and appealing for them.
Fisher Price People Animal Zoo Talker

Abrams, S. (1990) Toys for early childhood development Atlanta, GA: The Center for Applied Research in Education

American Society for Testing Materials (1998) Standard Consumer Safety Specification on Toy Safety Chicago: Author

Boehm, H (1986) The Right Toys New York: Bantam Books

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