This information is taken from a workshop by Cari Ebert called The Power of Play: Effective Play-Based Therapy and Early Intervention. Cari is a Speech Language Pathologist who works in the field of Early Intervention in Kansas City. Her passion is to "empower parents and pediatric therapists who want to gain an appreciation of the power of play in the development of young children." Consider these criteria as you look for Christmas presents for your little ones.
Top 10 Criteria for Choosing a Good Store-Bought Toy
- Select toys without batteries. The more the toy does, the less the child does. battery operated toys limit creativity and imagination. We want the child to provide the power and the imagination.
- Choose simple toys that can be used in a variety of ways. These toys are more likely to grow with the child. For example, nesting cups can be used to stack, to nest, in the tub or sand box, to match like colored items, as a hat, etc.
- Look for toys that encourage active play instead of passive entertainment. Is the toy entertaining or does it have actual play value?
- Select toys that are safe and durable. We want toys that are constructed well and will hold up to lots of use.
- Choose toys that can be easily manipulated. We want the child to be successful during play time while challenging his abilities just enough.
- Seek out toys that are made of natural materials. Children need a break from cold, hard plastic toys.
- Select toys that are interesting to your child, but expose him to new toys as well.
- Look for toys that allow the child to learn naturally through exploration and encourage problem solving. Avoid toys that force-feed academics.
- Select toys that spark the child's imagination.
- Choose toys that are interesting to the adult too so cross-generational play can be fostered.
Traditionally Recognized Good Toys for Toddlers
Blocks Stacking towers Balls
Wooden puzzles Shape Sorters Pegboards
Pounding sets Activity Boxes Lacing Beads
Musical Instruments Push-pull toys Ride-on toys
Chalk and Chalkboard Art supplies Fisher Price Barn
Toy Vehicles Toy tools Play figures
Household objects Puppets Toy food and dishes
Baby doll and accessories Stuffed animals Books
Cari's Favorite Toys for Toddlers
Velcro Food Muffin tins
Empty bottle and wooden clothespins Hot Wheels cars and a wrapping paper tube
Basket and balls Container "blocks"
Small cookie sheet and magnets Mickey Mouse paint samples from Home Depot
Random objects/manipulatives Tub of dry beans, lentils, macaroni, or rice
Toy animals Large cardboard boxes (big enough to get inside)
100 piece cookie cutter set & play dough Any activity based on the premise "put in, dump out and do it again"
Toys with multiple identical pieces Car ramps
Memory Game cards and mailboxes Empty containers (Huggies wipes, yogurt, etc.)
Crocodile Dentist game Bubbles
Tunnel and Parachute Magna Doodle
Puzzles with doors Board books with flaps
Soft blocks Wooden blocks
Buckets Non-plastic toys
Dollhouse Flashlight
