| Fond memories of childhood usually bring to | | | | learn by doing. They are busy developing new |
| mind a favorite toy. A cuddly doll, colorful | | | | skills. They like drawing, painting, and |
| crayons, or a special wagon are all childhood | | | | building. They also spend a great deal of |
| favorites. Toys bring a great deal of joy to | | | | time pretending. Dress-up clothes, pretend |
| children, but they also can be valuable | | | | play and puppets are big favorites. |
| learning tools. Exploring, pretending, and | | | | Preschoolers are energetic and active. They |
| sharing are just a few of the important | | | | need large balls to roll and throw, wagons to |
| skills children develop while they play. Toys | | | | pull, and tricycles to ride. |
| don't have to be expensive. Cardboard boxes | | | | |
| in the backyard and measuring cups in the | | | | School-age Children - At this stage child |
| bathtub are favorite standards. But parents | | | | learn about getting along with others, and |
| who do wish to purchase toys may find it | | | | about the adult world of sports, games and |
| helpful to know what toys to choose and which | | | | careers. They develop intellectual and social |
| to avoid for children of different ages. | | | | interests and make strong friendships, likes |
| | | | and dislikes. School-age children feel more |
| Infants and Toddlers - Every child is unique, | | | | grown-up and love activities that lead to |
| has its specific pattern of development and | | | | "real products" such as jewelry, "designer" |
| has different ways of cruising through the | | | | T-shirts, or stamp collections. They also |
| milestones of physical, mental and social | | | | develop a keen interest in sports and enjoy |
| development. Infants and toddlers learn about | | | | having adult-like physical equipment such as |
| the world through their senses. They are | | | | softball gloves, tennis rackets, or skates. |
| interested in the sight, sound, smell, | | | | They have a better understanding of rules and |
| texture, and taste of things. Objects or toys | | | | enjoy playing with others. Board games, |
| that can be squeezed, dropped, poked, | | | | cards, or dominoes teach math concepts and |
| twisted, or thrown are sure to cause delight. | | | | problem-solving skills. |
| Toddlers also enjoy any item that can be | | | | |
| stacked, poured, opened, closed, pushed, or | | | | The age of your child and not the activity |
| pulled. Toys are vital for the physical and | | | | level, is a primary factor in selecting an |
| mental development of your infant baby. The | | | | appropriate educational learning toys. Toys |
| toys have a significant bearing on your | | | | should not promote a single thought or |
| infant's personality, therefore must be | | | | concept; instead, they should enhance |
| carefully selected. | | | | creativity and thinking skills. Toys and |
| | | | games are also important for the child to |
| Preschoolers - During these years, children | | | | learn and practice logical and |
| use their imagination to imitate adult | | | | problem-solving. Toys that can be played in a |
| activity and participate actively in physical | | | | number of ways serve as great educational |
| games. Their physical coordination develops, | | | | tools and endorse comprehensive development |
| and the foundation of printing and writing is | | | | of your child. |
| also laid at this time. Preschool children | | | | |