| 1. Of course, the first criterion to check is SAFETY. | | | | 8. Include toys that are designed to expand your child's |
| Inspect the toy to see if any of the parts are too small | | | | creativity. All children need a creative outlet. Art |
| for a young infant or toddler; does it present a choking | | | | supplies, building toys, craft projects, pretend toys, |
| hazard? Does it meet North American or European | | | | puppets, costumes and play figures all stimulate |
| Consumer Product Safety Standards? Does it have | | | | imagination and creativity. |
| rough or sharp edges? Will it shatter or break easily? | | | | 9. Look for toys that are just fun. Not all toys have to |
| 2. Is the toy appropriate for the child's age and /or | | | | serve an end, such as learning or creativity. Is the toy |
| developmental level? Most often toys will indicate the | | | | amusing, entertaining, exciting or even silly? Include |
| age level for which they are designed. Match the toy | | | | some of these fun toys in your child's toy box. |
| to your child's ability and skill level. If you child is | | | | 10. Finally, consider if the toy can be used to enhance |
| advanced, a toy for an older child may be suitable, but | | | | your relationship with your child. Is it a toy that can be |
| check for small parts if the child is under 3 years of | | | | played with together, such as blocks, dolls, cards or |
| age. | | | | games? Stanley Greenspan, founding president of |
| 3. Assess the toy for durability. Will it withstand | | | | Zero to Three promotes the idea of parents spending |
| heavy-duty play? Will it have long-lasting value? Does | | | | time each day joining into some activity with their child. |
| the manufacturer offer any guarantees on | | | | This valuable one on one time builds trust, security, |
| workmanship and/or normal wear and tear? Some | | | | relationship, rapport and memories that will last long |
| companies will actually replace or repair broken toys or | | | | after your child leaves home. |
| parts. | | | | Keep in mind that no one toy will meet all of these |
| 4. Play with the toy yourself before giving it to your | | | | criteria. Some toys will meet more than one, offering a |
| child. See if you think it is well made. Is the design | | | | good value for the money, but most parents will have |
| play-friendly? Can a child figure out how to use it with | | | | to invest in a number of different types of toys to |
| little adult instruction? | | | | meet a child's developmental needs. Toys need not be |
| 5. Is the toy versatile; can it be used in different ways? | | | | expensive or ecologically costly. Consider sharing toys |
| Many toys such as blocks, cars, play food and dishes, | | | | or passing them on to friends, siblings, relatives or used |
| dolls and dress up items are what we refer to as | | | | toy outlets like Goodwill. Used toys can also be given |
| open-ended toys. There is no one right way to play | | | | to some charities or to schools, daycares or homeless |
| with these toys. They can be used in a number of | | | | shelters. There are even a few charities that refurbish |
| different ways and invite creative exploration. | | | | and redistribute toys and stuffed animals to |
| 6. Check for child appeal. Does the toy invite curiosity, | | | | underprivileged children both at home and abroad. In |
| problem solving or thinking? One way to find out if a | | | | some cities there are toy lending libraries that allow |
| particular toy is appealing is to watch children at | | | | parents to "check out" toys for a few weeks, either |
| preschool or in play groups to see if it holds their | | | | free or for a small fee. This is a good way to test out |
| interest. Sometimes toy stores allow children to try out | | | | a toy before you purchase it. You might even form a |
| the product before the parents purchase it. Observe | | | | small scale toy lending library with other parents in your |
| your child's reaction to these trial toys. | | | | community, pooling, trading or sharing the toys your |
| 7. Consider if the toy will challenge your child or allow | | | | children own. |
| him to learn something new. There are many quality | | | | We can all do our part to reduce materialism, waste, |
| educational toys on the market today that are | | | | excessive consumerism and environmental destruction. |
| designed to teach, offer practice or | | | | Parents naturally want to give their children the best, |
| encouragemastery of a concept or idea. Try to | | | | but we can also give them a healthy planet and a |
| choose a toy that is at your child's learning edge; that | | | | sustainable future. Our precious children deserve no |
| means the toy is challenging but not too frustrating. | | | | less; they are the future of humankind. |