Age Appropriate Guide

TOYS AND ABILITIES

As you shop, consider that children of all ages need a well-balanced assortment of toys to contribute to their development and pleasure -- ones for active play, manipulative play, make-believe play and creative play. Study your child, know what his or her interests and abilities are, and read labels to help you make the right selections.

About Labels on Products:
Labels on toy packages take some of the guesswork out of choosing safe, appropriate toys. Child development experts agree that while each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, there are certain stages that are fairly predictable. For example, children generally sit up unsupported in the middle of the first year and take their first steps in the early half of the second year. These averages help toymakers design and label playthings that will be safe for and appealing to children of a specific age group.

Toys are labeled based on four criteria: the safety aspects of the toy; the physical capabilities of the child (ability to manipulate the toy); the cognitive abilities of the child (understanding how to use the toy); and the child's interests.

The most common safety label warns against choking hazards. Any toy or game manufactured for children aged three to six is required to carry such a warning if the toy contains small parts, small balls, marbles or a balloon. Such toys are not intended for children under three or any child who is still mouthing objects. Other common labels to look for include "flame retardant/flame resistant" on fabric products, "surface or machine washable" on stuffed toys and dolls and "UL Listed” (for Underwriters Laboratories) on electrically operated toys. Some manufacturers add other safety warnings to the package and/or instructions advising parents that special care should be taken. Toys that would have cautionary labels might include: science toy sets with toxic chemicals; craft kits with sharp or breakable items; and crib gyms and mobiles, which should be removed when a baby reaches five months of age or begins to push up on hands and knees.

In our competitive society, it might be tempting to buy a toy for a young child that is intended for an older child. This is not advisable. The age label has been thoughtfully assigned based on many factors including safety. If a child is given a toy that is too advanced, he or she may become frustrated or be exposed to a safety risk. While labels help consumers narrow down their choices, no package label can tell you exactly which toy is right for your child. Use labels as a guide, but always keep in mind the maturity, skill level and interest of the child when making toy purchases. Be especially careful when selecting toys for children under three: Avoid those with small parts that could be swallowed, aspirated into the child's airway or inserted into the nose or ears. Check that the eyes and noses of stuffed animals and dolls are securely fastened and that seams are well sewn. Choose rattles, teething rings and squeeze toys that are too large, even in their most compressed state, to become lodged in a baby's throat. Avoid latex balloons, which present a choking and suffocation hazard. Select unbreakable toys that are lightweight, washable and free of sharp corners, rough edges or strings.

This information is an edited reprint of the consumer hand-out provided by the Toy Industry Association. For additional information, please visit the Toy Industry Association's web site.


Birth to Six Months

Abilities and Interests
Experts agree that even babies benefit from toys. Infants use their senses to learn about their world. For the first few months of life, babies are unable to grasp objects with their hands, but enjoy exploring with their ears and eyes. Therefore, toys that make noise or feature high-contrast, black-and-white or brightly colored images are especially appealing to newborns and young infants. Once infants can reach for objects, they enjoy toys that are textured and safe for mouthing. Remember, to avoid dangerous entanglement, toys never should be hung or attached to a crib, playpen, stroller, infant seat or around a child’s neck with elastic, string or ribbon.

Toy Suggestions
Crib gyms*
Floor gyms
Activity quilts
Mobiles*
Safety mirrors
Teething toys
Large, interlocking rings or keys
Cloth toys
Soft dolls
Stuffed animals (with short pile fabric)
Musical and chime toys
Rattles
*Remove when baby is five months old or is able to push up on hands and knees.


 Six Months to One Year

Abilities and Interests
In the second half of the first year, infants master the motor skills that enable them to play with toys in new and exciting ways. When babies can sit up, they enjoy playthings they can manipulate - to bang, drop, and stack, put in and take out and open and shut. Once they can crawl, “cruise” (walk while holding onto furniture) and walk, they enjoy things that move along with them. Toys that show cause and effect are also thrilling at this age.

Toy Suggestions
Balls (1 3/4 inches and larger)
Push-pull toys
Busy boxes
Nesting and stacking toys
Simple shape sorters
Pop-up toys
Soft blocks
Bath toys
Teething toys
Large, interlocking rings or keys
Soft dolls
Stuffed animals (with short pile fabric)
Simple musical instruments
Rattles
Squeeze/squeak toys
Cloth and cardboard picture books


One to Two Years

Abilities and Interests
In the second year of life, children are explorers. Fueled by curiosity and wonder, toddlers also possess the physical skills that make it easy for them to play and learn. A busy toddler needs toys for physical play - walking, climbing, pushing and riding - and ones that encourage experimentation and manipulation. At this age, children imitate adults and enjoy props that help them master life skills.

Toy Suggestions
Balls (1 3/4 inches and larger)
Push-pull toys
Ride-on toys (feet-propelled)
Wagons
Backyard gym equipment (infant swing, small slide, small climbing apparatus)
Nesting and stacking toys
Simple shape sorters
Pop-up toys
Puzzles with knobs (whole-object pieces)
Blocks
Sandbox/sand toys
Wading pool/water toys
Bath toys
Stuffed animals (with short pile fabric)
Dolls
Play vehicles
Kitchen equipment and gadgets
Play household items (telephone, lawn mower, workbench, shopping cart)
Playhouse
Child-sized table and chairs
Non-toxic art supplies (large crayons and coloring books, clay, finger-paints)
Musical instruments
Cardboard picture books, pop-up books


Two to Three Years

Abilities and Interests
Older toddlers love testing their physical skills -- jumping, climbing, and throwing -- and enjoy toys for active play. This age group also possesses good hand and finger coordination and enjoys putting these skills to work with basic arts and crafts, puppets, blocks and simple puzzles. Imaginative play also begins in the third year.

Toy Suggestions
Balls (1 3/4 inches and larger)
Backyard gym equipment (swing, small slide, small climbing apparatus)
Building blocks and building systems
Blocks with letters and numbers
Wading pool/water toys
Puzzles with knobs (whole-object pieces that fit into simple scenes)
Dolls that can be bathed, fed and diapered
Dress-up clothes and accessories
Hand/finger puppets
Play household items (telephone, lawn mower, workbench, shopping cart, kitchen equipment and gadgets)
Non-toxic art supplies (crayons and coloring books, clay, finger-paints, sidewalk chalk)
Child-sized table and chairs
Play scenes (e.g., farm, airport) with figures and accessories
Sandbox/sand toys
Tricycle and helmet
Play vehicles
Wagon
Shape sorters
Playhouse
Storybooks
Stuffed animals


 Three to Six Years

Abilities and Interests
After the age of three, children begin to play actively with each other. Preschoolers and kindergartners are masters of make-believe. They like to act out grownup roles and enjoy costumes and props to help them bring their imaginations to life. It is quite common for children this age to develop strong attachments to favorite toys, expressing feelings to a special doll or teddy bear. Materials for arts and crafts are also popular with this age group, which enjoys creating things with their hands.

Toy Suggestions
Tricycle and helmet
Bicycle and helmet
Ride-on Toys
Backyard gym equipment
Construction toys
Lacing and threading sets
Puzzles (10-20 pieces)
Stuffed animals
Dolls and doll clothes
Dress-up clothes and accessories
Props for make-believe play
Play vehicles
Hand/finger puppets
Play scenes with figures and accessories
Non-toxic art supplies (safety scissors, construction paper, crayons)
Simple board games; word and matching games
Storybooks


Six to Nine Years

Abilities and Interests
School-age children enjoy play that requires strategy and skill. Board games, tabletop sports and classic toys like marbles and kites are favorites. Grade School children also enjoy exploring different kinds of grown-up worlds and like fashion and career dolls and action figures. Children this age seek out new information and experiences through play and enjoy science, craft and magic kits. In addition, this age group possesses the physical skills and coordination to enjoy junior versions of adult sporting equipment.

Toy Suggestions
Complex gym equipment
Bicycle and helmet
Sporting equipment (baseball glove, hockey stick, tennis racket) and protective gear
Simple swimming equipment
Stilts
Ice or roller skates/in-line skates and protective gear
Construction toys
Pogo sticks
Jump ropes
Action figures
Paper dolls
Craft kits
Magic sets
Science sets
Art supplies
Tabletop sports
Jigsaw puzzles
Fashion/career dolls
Puppets, marionettes and theaters
Doll houses and furnishings
Video games
Board games
Books (children’s classics, fairytales)


Nine to Twelve Years

Abilities and Interests
Preteens begin to develop hobbies and life-long interests and enjoy crafts, model kits, magic sets, advanced construction sets, science kits and sophisticated jigsaw puzzles. Active play finds its expression in team sports. Painting, sculpting, ceramics and other art projects continue to be of interest.

Toy Suggestions
Sports equipment and protective gear
Bicycle and helmet
Ice or roller skates/in-line skates and protective gear
Advanced construction sets
Jigsaw puzzles, including three-dimensional puzzles
Puppets, marionettes and theaters
Remote control vehicles
Model kits
Science kits
Magic sets
Craft and handiwork kits
Art supplies
Playing cards
Board games
Chess, checkers, dominoes and other strategy games
Tabletop sports
Video games
Electronic games
Electric trains
Musical instruments
Books (biography, mystery, adventure, science fiction)

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