Holiday Smart List
The holidays are creeping up and families will begin to feel the pressure of rushing to the store to buy the best gifts for their loved ones. Children's toys are everywhere. As a parent or caregiver, you need to be selective about what you decide to buy for your child.
When shopping for infants, you need to make sure that the toy you wrap up is one that is safe for him/her. Remember to look at the recommended age for each toy. Always check for BPA-free, small parts, and non-toxic paint. Infants are going to put toys in their mouths to explore them before you can teach them how to play with them. All toy manufactures will have important information on the packaging, look for it.
Toddlers are fun to shop for. Keep in mind that they too put toys in their mouths at times and love to test toys' durability by throwing them. A safe toy does not contain loose parts that will fit into a child's mouth (if it fits through a toilet paper roll, then do not buy it.) A good toy to buy is one that can grow with your child. An example is a push toy that transforms into a ride-on toy as your child masters walking. Think about educational and creative toys that will help your child attain a skill or achieve a developmental milestone. Good examples are shape sorters, ring stackers, nesting cups, and 4-5 piece puzzles.
Preschoolers are also exciting to shop for. Do not be distracted by all of the advertisements for electronic educational devices. The best educational partner for your child is YOU! Books, crayons, paints, play dough, and paper are great things to buy. If you do decide to purchase an electronic device, make sure the device has educational features, is durable, and has parental controls. Other great ideas are board games, dolls, and craft kits. Limit video and computer games.
If you are looking for toys geared towards a certain diagnosis, check out this resource on Fat Brain Toys.
