Selecting Developmentally appropriate Toys and

Equipment

TOYS The word “Toy” comes from an old

English term that means :TOOL Toys are TOOLS for a child. With these tools, children are allowed to

use their senses, fine and gross motor skills, and their imaginations.

Cognitive and social skills are also increased as a child plays with toys.

Toys are valuable TEACHING tools.

In your table group ask each other these questions:

What were the toys that you liked when you were younger?

What makes a toy interesting to a child?

What is a safe toy?

Babies can’t show the

universal sign for choking!

A child’s chronological age and developmental age can be quite different.

Choosing an appropriate toy is determined by their development. This is referred to as Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)

A toy that is developmentally inappropriate is not considered safe for a child to be playing with.

SELECTING of TOYS

Make sure the toy is DAP Toys for age-appropriate development of the child

Soft & Cuddling Toys Dolls, stuffed animals, etc.

Manipulation/Small Motor Skill Toys Blocks, puzzles, snap blocks, beads, counting bears,

etc.

Large Motor Skill Toys Tricycles/bikes, balls, jump ropes, scooters, etc.

Dramatic Play Dress-up clothes, furniture and accessories, etc.

SAFETY ISSUES

SIZE of toy and pieces Larger than a choke tube

No SHARP edges or points Broken toys should be fixed or

thrown away NON-TOXIC materials

Avoid all painted toys for babies & toddlers

DURABLE, WASHABLE and CLEAN Toy’s that won’t break easily Toys that can be cleaned easily

CHILD PROTECTION & SAFETY ACT

Passage of this act was influenced by complaints regarding the safety of many toys.

The CHILD PROTECTION and TOY SAFETY ACT was passed in 1969.

Gave Food and Drug Administration the authority to remove and keep off the market toys and other products that are dangerous to children.

Toys should be: AGE- APPROPRIATE (DAP)

Check the suggested age on the packagin SAFE

This applies to new and used toys Be sure to check that used toys have not been

recalled TEACH a Skill or Concept

Aide in one of the 5 areas of Child Development FUN - FUN - FUN!!!