Remember the basics when choosing toys: Think about the exact age of the child, the child's gender, the child's personality, his or her current interests and skills, any special challenges that can affect a child's physical limitations and play experience, and how he or she will use the toy. Children will become bored with toys that don't challenge and stimulate them. Conversely, children who try unsuccessfully to play with toys that are too challenging might grow frustrated, disinterested, and upset. With toys, children can interact with objects for their own amusement while working on cognitive and motor skills, which is especially important in very young children and kids with learning or physical challenges. However, no one toy will allow your child develop faster. Group toy choices by age and choose toys that focus on skills your child will understand. Toys for infants (birth - 12 months): Toys should expose a baby to a variety of experiences: sight, sound, touch (shape, size, texture), and taste (because many times, toys go into the mouth). Bright colors, lightweight toys such as rattles, and squishy toys encourage early grasping, holding, and exploring. Once a child is able to sit up, introduce large blocks, nesting cups, stacking rings, and toys that require reaching. For crawlers and early walkers, choose large balls and push-pull toys.
Toys for toddlers (1-3 years): Focus on physical play. For outdoor play, choose ride-on toys, wagons, balls, and sandbox accessories. For indoor play, choose chunky blocks, large-piece puzzles, and toys that allow a child to use excess energy and develop emerging muscle control. At this stage, children like to imitate parents with play food, kitchen sets, housekeeping tools, ride-on cars, sport sets, baby strollers, and musical instruments. Also introduce board games that give children the chance to practice taking turns, communicating, and socializing. Plus, board games are fun for the whole family! Modify rules by eliminating time limits, enlarging pieces, or working in teams to make games less frustrating for children with short attention spans or motor difficulties.
Toys for preschoolers (3-5 years): Preschoolers are fascinated with how and why things work. Construction sets, washable crayons and markers, paints, modeling clay, books, and simple board games encourage creativity. Introduce toys that inspire pretend play and allow children to imitate mom or dad to practice life skills. Examples include cash registers, toy telephones, make-believe town sets, doll houses, and furniture. Licensed toys with a recognizable character, whether animated or humanlike in the form of a television or movie character, are popular because children quickly identify with them; they want the toy with a personality. If you buy licensed character toys, keep in mind the personality. Is it something you approve of? Remember that your child is learning from this personality and might even mimic what it does. Balance the request with a book about the character or a different toy that encourages skill development. Communication skills can also be expanded through play. For children with language delays, repetition is a plus. Look for books that have repetitive phrases or toys that continually repeat concepts and directions.
Toys for school-age children (5-9 years): Encourage children to share. Introduce toys that teach both team play and independence. Also consider toys that boost self esteem and allow children to use their personality and skills. Hobby sets, sports toys, computer software, problem-solving math toys, construction sets with detailed elements, and storybooks with valuable messages all make good choices. Games and electronic toys are also available that teach specific skills such as counting, matching, and problem solving. Electronic toys featuring a variety of lights, sounds, and music are usually a good choice for teaching cause and effect.
Toys for preteens (9-12 years): Acceptance from friends and self-esteem are very important preteens. Kids in this age group often become less interested in toys. Look for complex construction toys, board games, strategic puzzles, science toys, and activity kits to engage them. Preteens can also refine social and intellectual skills with board games, electronic games, and card games. Active and physical play should be an area of focus through team and group sports.
Toys for children with special needs: When choosing toys for children with special needs, keep in mind that specifically designed or modified toys are not always necessary. For all children, toys are only props used in play, and the process of play itself is valuable for development of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
If choosing battery-operated toys, be sure to buy extra sets of batteries for continued play. When buying large toys as gifts, be considerate of the amount of space in the recipient's house. You don't want to buy a huge ride-on toy for a child who dwells in a small apartment or for a child who lives in a suburb without sidewalks. Also, many toys require assembly so be sure you have the right tools to avoid disappointment.