2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
Stores are full of toys of all kinds, good and bad. How to find it? Here are some suggestions to help you choose the right toy!
Fun
The primary purpose of a toy is to provide pleasure and entertainment. Think about the possibilities of the coveted toy and if you see fun in it, chances are the child the toy is for will love it too.
Appropriate for the child's age
Manufacturers always state a minimum age or age range on toys. It is a good indicator to assess the interest of a toy.
Children's tastes
Whether the child is a little cook, a tireless handyman, a car enthusiast, a budding builder, a fan of the plastic arts or a director of everyday life, you will have success by feeding his imagination with thematic toys related to their interests.
Recommendations
Do not hesitate to inquire with your acquaintances and friends to find out the favorite toys of their children. You might discover a toy that you would not have thought of directly.
A durable toy
If there are toys that last the time ofa few hours and which break easily, there are others which are solidly designed and made to last and grow with the child. Chances are that a durable toy will go through the lives of several children in the same family and withstand the not always delicate assaults of the youngest.
Stages of development
Another criterion to remember when choosing a toy: the important motor and intellectual stages of the child: crawling, sitting, holding objects, standing and walking for toddlers; recognize letters, read and write for older children, etc. These toys are always winners.
Versatility
Babies grow tired of a toy with little diversity, even toddlers who easily give up one toy for another. A versatile toy that gives options based on the child's current interests is more likely to hold their attention.
To play together
There are toys for solitary play and there are others that require interaction with a parent or other children, for example board games. Here again, ask your acquaintances which multiplayer games have been successful in their family.
Smart Toys
A toy that the child can adjust himself (volume control, on-off button, learning levels, etc.) is likely to please him more than a more static toy. If a toy is supposed to familiarize the child with the alphabet orfigures for example, make sure that it contains all the letters of the alphabet and that it allows interactivity. Toys that offer multi-sensory learning (sight, hearing and touch) are preferred.
Security
Just because a toy ends up on store shelves doesn't mean it's safe. A visit to the He alth Canada website can tell you if a toy has been subject to a recall or a safety alert.
Ask parents for advice
Even if it's a gift and you want to surprise, consider asking parents what their child loves (and hates). They can also tell you what games and toys the child already has to avoid buying a toy they already have.
We also have a video that illustrates the criteria for choosing the right toys for children under 2 years old.
