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When a child is first-born, children respond to
the five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch and
hearing). Toys that allow a child to stimulate any
of these senses strengthen the experience and skill.
Toys that feature movement, color, sounds and different
textures develop these senses.
Types of toys to consider:
• Mobiles
• Squeeze Toys
• Rattles (be sure the rattle does not have
any long stems or small pieces a child can break
off or choke on.)
• Soft Washable Stuffed Toys
• Musical Toys
• Floating Bath Toys
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Children who have learned to identify their five
senses now find an interest to use all of them.
Learning to walk, speak and imitate sounds and words
are the 3 skills to emphasize the most. Toys to
choose include musical toys that allow a child to
repeat a number, letter and eventually words with
sequencing. Push-pull toys enhance walking and puzzles,
nesting blocks and other preschool building sets
allow a child to learn spatial relations and hand-eye
coordination. Be aware that children at this age
put mostly everything in their mouth so the toys
should be LARGE in size.
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Pretend and make-believe play enhances imagination
and creativity. Housekeeping toys, hammers, building
toys, chalk, crayons, finger paint, dolls, appropriate
action figures and imitation toys promote opportunities
to learn real-life skills. Talking toys that encourage
sequencing, repetition and speech strengthen speaking
skills. Ride-on toys, ice and roller skates and
sports toys promote motion and movement strengthening
arms and legs. Increasing muscle movement strengthens
a child's body tone and refines dexterity and gross
and fine motor skills. |
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Children in grade kindergarten through fourth grade
learn to make friendships and experience conflicts
with relationships. Toys such as board games and
puzzles that encourage participation, learning to
win/lose enhance pro-social behaviors. Character
development is extremely important at this age and
toys with television and movie characters make an
impression. Make sure these are impressions you
approve of. |
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Toys that encourage responsibility and independence
strengthen the role of individual development and
personality. Mind-games that challenge promote analytical
skills and thinking. Look for toys that enhance
self esteem and group play that promote social interaction.
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Family
Toys – Everyone
Encourage social
toys that allow all members of the family to play
together. Choose board games or large piece puzzles
for multiple age groups. Humor, skill and sports
toys encourage family experiences that create memories.
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©1997-2006 Toy Tips, Inc. All rights reserved. No reproductions of any kind without the written consent of Toy Tips, Inc. Toy Tips® and Kid Tips® are registered trademarks of Toy Tips, Inc.
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