SELECTION & SAFETY OF TOYS

TOYS The word “Toy” comes from an old English term that means :TOOL Toys are TOOLS for a child. With these tools, children are allowed to use their senses, fine and gross motor skills, and their imaginations. Cognitive and social skills are also increased as a child plays with toys. Toys are valuable TEACHING tools.

SELECTION of TOYS Make sure the toy is DAP Soft & Cuddling Toys Toys for age-appropriate development of the child Soft & Cuddling Toys Dolls, stuffed animals, etc. Manipulation/Small Motor Skill Toys Blocks, puzzles, snap, gears, games, etc. Large Motor Skill Toys Tricycles/bikes, balls, jump ropes, scooters, etc. Dramatic Play Dress-up clothes, furniture and accessories, etc.

SAFETY ISSUES SIZE of toy and pieces No SHARP edges or points Larger than the child’s two fists No SHARP edges or points Broken toys should be fixed or thrown away NON-TOXIC materials Avoid all painted toys for babies & toddlers DURABLE, WASHABLE and CLEAN Toy’s that won’t break easily Toys that can be cleaned easily

CHILD PROTECTION & SAFETY ACT Passage of this act was influenced by complaints regarding the safety of many toys. The CHILD PROTECTION and TOY SAFETY ACT was passed in 1969. Gave Food and Drug Administration the authority to remove and keep off the market toys and other products that are dangerous to children.

W.A.T.C.H. LISTS "TOY HAZARDS TO WATCH OUT FOR"  for Toys Marketed On The Internet, without warnings, instructions or age recommendations   posted on the website.  for Battery Operated Toys For Children Under 8 Years Of Age since batteries may leak,   overheat and explode.  for Toys With "Fur" Or "Hair", including dolls and stuffed animals, that can be ingested and   aspirated by oral age children.  for Toys With Small Removable Attachments at the end of laces and strings (e.g., bells,   knobs, etc.).  for Projectile Toys, including dart guns, sling shots, and pea-shooters which shoot objects   and can cause eye injuries and often blindness.  for Toys With Pointed Tips, And Blunt Or Sharp Edges that could crush, cut or puncture   children's skin.  for Toys With Strings Longer Than 6 Inches which could strangle small children.  for Any Crib Or Playpen Toys which are to be strung across cribs or playpens. This type of toy   has resulted in strangulation deaths and injuries.  for Toys Marketed With Other Product Lines, such as food, clothing, books, cassettes and   videos which could have dangerous designs and are often sold with no warnings, instructions or age recommendations.  for Toys Composed Of Flammable Material which will readily ignite when exposed to heat or   flame.  for Realistic Looking Toy Weapons including guns, dart guns, Ninja weaponry, swords, toy   cleavers, knives, and crossbows which promote violence.  for Toys Which Require Electricity to function and do not have step-down transformers to   reduce risk of shock and electrocution.  for Toys With Small Parts that can be swallowed or aspirated, causing choking.  for Long Handled Toys For Children Up To 4 Years Of Age due to a tendency of such children   to place these toys in their mouths and choke.  for Toys With Toxic Surfaces Or Components that have the potential to be ingested or cause   skin irritations (e.g., some children's' play make up kits have components which contain ferrocyanide, a known poison).

Toys should be: AGE- APPROPRIATE (DAP) SAFE TEACH a Skill or Concept Check the suggested age on the packaging SAFE This applies to new and used toys TEACH a Skill or Concept Aide in one of the 5 areas of Child Development FUN - FUN - FUN!!!

Terms to know: Universal Toys: Toys that can be used throughout several age groups Cause & Effect Toys: If you do something to the toy, something else will happen. Manipulation Toys: It takes skillful use of the fingers, wrists, and hand in order to play with the toy.

Group Activity Analyzing Toys