Child Development

Some Primary Ways Children Develop:

• Through Physical Activity

In infancy, babies move reflexively with no intention or control.  During the first year, the child's movements become more intentional, more refined and more coordinated.

At first, infants make broad, awkward sweeps while attempting to reach a desired toy...a few months later, they reach out and nearly wrap their fingers around the toy and bring it to them...years later those children are jumping a hurdle cleanly or running a relay race.

Especially helpful in this developmental area are toys that require children to use their bodies during play - building, stacking, constructing, pushing, pulling, shaking, turning, spinning, threading, squeezing, kicking, throwing, etc.

• Through Mental Activity

Mental abilities are related to thinking, learning, creating, knowing, recognizing, developing concepts, organizing ideas, remembering, problem solving, cause-and-effect relationships, developing rules, drawing inferences, etc.  Babies reach out and find that a mobile moves when they touch it (ah-ha...cause-and-effect!)...they later hold the memory of Dad or Mom leaving, knowing they will return...and much later, they retain an understanding of square root as they work through an algebra problem.

Helpful in this area of development are books, games, puzzles, sand, water, clay; toys with various shapes, colors and sizes; and open-ended toys which may have many possible outcomes.

• Through Interaction with Others

From the moment of birth, children begin to form relationships with others-bonding to those who love them-and begin to form an understanding of themselves which will hopefully be positive and well-nurtured by those around them.  As they grow, they are able to handle many and varied relationships and growth within themselves, even making complicated judgements and taking responsibility.

Toys that enhance this area of development are games, stuffed animals, puppets, dolls, art materials, costumes, play figures, instruments, etc.

• Through Creativity

Creativity is the expression of one's originality and imagination.  We do not know what exists in the imagination of an infant, but in the second and third years of life we begin to see the expression of the child through imaginative play.  As a child's mind and body grows, they are better able to explore all the countless expressions of their creative self...pretend play, art, music, drama, writing, invention.

To nurture this area of development, open-ended playthings which have many possible outcomes are helpful; sand, water, construction sets, art materials, dolls, stuffed animals, play figures, vehicles, music and instruments, costumes and props, child-sized dishes and tools, etc.

What Makes A Good Toy?

The greatest benefits of a toy are the joy and self-esteem that children experience when they play with it.  One carefully selected toy can do so much for a child; the right toy can literally help them discover a love of learning!  A well-chosen toy has certain aspects that make it valuable to a child's growth:

• The toy can be used in several different ways.
• Children can power the toy with their own ideas and imagination
• The toy can grow with the child through more than one developmental stage.
• The toy has lots of developmental play value.
• The toy encourages open-ended play ( there is no one "right answer or way to use the toy...it allows lots of room for a child's own creative thinking to come into play.)
• The toy engages children's interest beyond a few minutes - they will continue playing with it.
• The toy is fun, safe, durable and attractive.

Humans are blessed with natural curiosity and the desire to explore the world around them.  Nurturing, loving environments, communications, having lots of room to run, and the availability of good toys are essential for that natural process of discovery to thrive-and this results in healthy, happy children!