from Inside SCV Magazine
December 2007
In our attempt to create a generation of children who
are brilliant, talented over-achievers, it’s easy to forget that the
real work of children is play.
It is through play, especially unstructured play, that they
develop skills they will need throughout their lives such as sharing,
taking turns, creativity and using their imagination.
Through toys, children experiment, develop new skills, and
experience a sense of accomplishment.
There are more toys to choose from than ever before,
and it can be difficult to choose the perfect gift that a child will
enjoy, that allows for creativity, and that is safe.
There’s a general
tendency to think that educational toys are somehow better than more
“traditional” toys. However,
“true toys” like blocks and dolls are encouraged because they allow for
the creativity and imagination that many of today’s “toys” don’t permit
due to their proscriptive nature.
Think about the
Toys that promote physical activity such as jump
ropes, bicycles, roller skates, and sports gear are all recommended,
especially in the face of the obesity epidemic.
Children are most likely to appreciate and play with
toys that are appropriate for their age and development.
Toys that are designed for children younger than you intended
might be too simplistic, might not be challenging enough, or may be seen
as too baby-ish for older kids to hold their interest.
On the other hand, toys that are for children older than your
gift recipient might contain parts that present choking hazards, might
be too complicated for them, or might rely on skills that the younger
child simply doesn’t possess yet.
Consider checking out the Consumer
Product Safety Commission website at
www.cpsc.gov.
They have consumer’s guides for selecting suitable
toys by age.
There are always safety concerns such as the risk of
choking on small parts, strangulation from toys with long strings or
cords, and falls from riding toys like wagons and skateboards.
I don’t even need to mention lead-based paint and magnets that
are hazardous when ingested.
The Toy Manufacturers of
As the gift-giving season draws upon us, let’s
remember that we will all have to live with the choices we make during
this holiday season (reconsider that drum set); and that we would all do
well to seek out “true toys” that depend on the children to bring to
life. Even though play is
traditionally the work of children, adults would probably do well to let
themselves play a little more too.
News
Check back here to learn about our Monthly Open House