Toys, toys, toys, there are so many choices for toddlers. And how does one really know how to buy the best toddler toys? I was thinking of advice for new moms and their family members about buying toys for toddlers. Follow the acronym TOYS the next time you go out for the big splurge.
T- test it. A good test to see if your toddler is really interested in a toy or not is to let him or her hold the toy while you shop. If by the end of the trip, your child has lost interest, then it's probably not a good choice. Even toys that seem to be educational at first can quickly lose a toddler's interest. Books are always the best bet, because they do not lose their educational value. Also, use play dates to your advantage. Observe the toy your child plays with the longest, then consider purchasing it.
O- overkill. Yes, that is a strong word. But, toy manufacturers know that if it's cute or popular, then chances are that you will want if for your child. For example, we all know children love to play inside a simple cardboard box or laundry basket. The toy manufacturers know this, so now you can buy nearly every cartoon character tunnel and play tent. Sometimes is better to save money and make it yourself, especially considering how fast toddlers can lose interest.
Y- ya-da, ya-da, ya-da. In other words, does the toy you are considering to buy have the same tune and/or functions that the other toys at home have? Developmentally, you want to buy toys that work on skills like, stacking, sorting, rolling, naming, grasping, in and out, dressing, cause and effect and so on. Once you have one or even two that do this, then why buy more? Before purchasing, consider how long your child will play with it. What is the maximum developmental age on the toy, if any? For example, if the maximum developmental age is 24 months and you are buying it at 18 months, then it's probably too late as your child will grow out of it pretty quickly.
S- safe. Check the toy over well. Are there loose parts or small parts? Sometimes toys at dollar stores and second hand stores are not safe. For example, my cousin's son got his finger stuck in a dollar store whiffle ball and had to be taken to the ER to remove it. The age recommendation was older than his age, but at the time when she bought it at a dollar store, she did not consider it a safety hazard. Follow the safety recommendations for age.
Best buying!
If you are looking for some fun toddler learning games that you can make at home, then read more from Laurie Patsalides.
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Nov 17 2009, 04:45 PM