Health: Birth to 5

If you haven’t started the holiday gift-buying, this may be the day, or week. Here are suggestions: First, start with your child’s ability, then think safety. Ask, “What is my child doing – with his body, with her mind?” This will help you find a toy that delights – one that is not so difficult it’s frustrating, or so easy it’s boring. Then, make sure the toy that fits your child’s ability is safe.

    Look for an age-appropriate toy. The labeling is not related to how smart a child is at a certain age, but to what they can accomplish developmentally, like putting things in their mouths.

What’s good for infants?
    By 6 months, children are moving around and curious about their environment, but will grab at things and put them in their mouth. By 10 months, they can pick up very small objects.

    Look for toys to stimulate their senses – with bright colors, sounds, movement and textures they can explore. For older infants, try toys where they can use their hands, putting objects in and dumping them out, over and over.

Toddler-pleasing toys
    Children who are 1 and 2 years old are walking and climbing, carrying toys as they go. They find hidden objects, turn knobs and dump containers. And…they still put small objects in their mouth. Older toddlers have learned the magic of building, opening and closing, and unscrewing lids. They love to play “make-believe.”

    Find toys they can manipulate: ones they can take apart and put together; fill and dump; push or pull. As children grow, choose construction toys that can be put together in many ways (not 1 “right” way), outdoor climbing toys, and pretend play toys, such as dress-ups, dishes and tools.

The perfect toys for preschoolers
    Children ages 3, 4 and 5 are becoming independent, yet are developing socially, playing more with other children. Five-year-olds are getting ready for school. They are learning to follow rules, but may not always do so.
    Good toy choices are those that children can handle themselves: at first, nesting cups and blocks, puzzles with a few pieces, crayons. And toys that encourage play with others: balls, “make-believe” toys, such as dishes, costumes and play money; and simple matching games. As they grow, try simple board or card games, puzzles (12 to 15 pieces), modeling dough, and sorting, matching and counting games that use colors, numbers, letters and sounds are also great choices.
 
Always think about safety!
    Choking is a real concern for children under 3. Avoid toys that have small parts, or parts that could break off. Try this: Take an empty toilet-paper roll and drop the toy through the opening. If it falls through, it’s too small. For all ages, stay away from toys with sharp edges, or toys made from thin or brittle material that could shatter. Look for toys that are marked non-toxic.

Encourage reading with books
    Children’s toys wouldn’t be complete without books. Children love to be read to, and it teaches them about sounds, language and reading. Just make sure you buy a back-up for your baby, who might enjoy gumming the book more than reading. m

    This article was supplied by the Children and Families Commission of Orange County. For information, visit ochildrenandfamilies.com.