Choosing the Right Toys and Games for Children at Different Ages

PRESCHOOL
For infants, there is a large variety of small crib or playpen baby toys. These should have texture and shape to explore, but no sharp edges or parts that can be swallowed. These toys give a sense of touch, sound, sight and even taste — most infants try to put everything in their mouths. To stimulate eye co-ordination and enjoyment of movement, mobiles can twirl with endless fascination above a crib. An exerciser which — when grasped — starts a music box: these toys clamp on the side of the crib. To stimulate dexterity at a slightly order age, there are baby beads; the dolor shack, a pile-on toy which also rocks.

As the toddler stage is reached, push-and-pull children toys increase an interest in walking and help to exercise growing muscles. Among those which have movement and sound to increase interest are an expanding horse, from 7 to 20 inches as it is pulled.

Building blocks baby toys are basic to creative play in the preschool age and they are used by children up to nine years of age. Produced in many shapes, sizes and colors, starter sets can be added to as play becomes more complex. There are also construction sets ‘of wood pieces and pegs which a child can fit together to make his own toys.

At about four years of age, children begin to imitate their mother’s and father’s interest. Cars, trucks and trains become important for boys. Girls begin to play house. These young children require sturdy, simply constructed toys which take wear and tear. Examples of such toys are the various transportation sets of solid wood.

These sets can be used by boys and girls. An imitative toy allows a chit d to talk and then listen to his own voice.

For boys who want real-life replicas, there are cars and trucks modeled on the originals.

For girls under three years, the cooking aids can start home-life identification. Also for girls, replicas of household appliances are battery operated to produce a realistic effect.

SIX TO TEN YEARS OLD

Although there is a carry-over from one age group to another, toys and educational aids become more complex to suit learning needs when children start school. Telling time can be aided by toy clocks which have colored gears and parts to be taken apart and put together.
Magnetic boards, with letters and numbers to move around can help with alphabet and arithmetic learning.

As children grow older, arts and crafts become important. Two children can work at a double painting easel. A set of finger paints can be used on a flat table. As endeavor becomes more complicated a sculpture set or a loom, can be a challenge. For boys, carpentry is appealing. A set of tools or a workbench with tools will set him up in business. Girls may want child-size household equipment which really works, such as the housekeeping kit; a hand-operated sewing machine.

Hobbies and science toys become of interest at this age. Adventure kits include science projects such as weather, electricity and magnetics. To experiment with growing plants, a little garden is ideal, with suggested biological experiments. A scientific hobby can be started with a photographic lab.

Construction sets may take over from blocks in this age group. Erector sets apply not only to this age group, but to those in their teens.
Plastic bricks have Interlocking, small bricks from which simple buildings to intricate skyscrapers can be constructed.
Although this age group may possess phonographs and radios, it also begins to make its own music. Introductory rhythm band sets for group play and single, child-size instruments such as a guitar, trumpet, flute, saxophone or clarinet can being a musical education.

OVER TEN YEARS OLD

Children approaching, and in their teens .usually have developed special interests. If you know the youngster, adding to his hobby collection or further stimulating his reading or science interests can increase his knowledge. Science kits are especially popular in this age of rockets and space travel. Learning at home about physics, chemistry, electricity, electronics and biology can give a child an early introduction or an in interest supplement to school work. Science kits include such subjects as electronics, electricity and physics. One book lab series has science kits for those up to 12 years and experiment kits for those over 12, including a digital computer kit. For advanced craftsmen, kits are available for building a radio transmitter.

Model building in many cases is a father-son hobby with aircraft models slightly behind automobiles in popularity. Plastic or metal scale models of planes, ships, tanks and cars can teach craftsmanship.

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