National Association for the Education
of Young Children
1997
During the holiday season, we are frequently bombarded with
advertisements for children’s toys that are often expensive
or inappropriate, and many adults find themselves at a loss when
trying to decide on the right gift for that special child in
their lives. Selecting toys for young children is an important
task that involves decisions about the kinds of interests, motivation,
and skills we want children to develop. Any toy given to a child
should match his or her developmental age and individual needs.
When choosing a toy, careful attention should be paid to safety
and durability--materials should have lasting play value and
help provide a foundation for future development.
Following are some ideas for inexpensive, and most important,
fun play materials for the early years:
Birth through six months
Toys for young infants should promote their interest in looking,
listening, sucking, and grasping. Well-secured, unbreakable crib
mirrors, rag dolls, stuffed toys and simple hand puppets moved
by an adult are all age appropriate gifts that can either be
made or purchased for a minimal amount of money.
6 to 12 months
Infants from 6-12 months are able to enjoy a wider variety
of toys which support their social, cognitive, and physical development.
Floating objects for bath play, construction materials, simple
puzzles, cloth and board books, and balls are durable options
for young children at this stage.
1 to 2 years
Toddlers are increasingly mobile and independent. Dressing,
lacing, and stringing materials, picture and nursery rhyme books,
nontoxic crayons for scribbling, and stacking materials will
be enjoyed by one-year-olds, while role-playing toys, pegboards,
and large balls to kick, throw, and catch are good choices for
older toddlers.
3 to 5 years
Three- to five-year-olds often find enjoyment from materials
that promote pretend play and foster their language and social
skills. A large variety of books suitable for this age are available,
as well as an assortment of blocks, dress-up clothes and simple
games, including dominoes, bingo boards, and card games.
6 through 8 years
Primary-school age children show interest in and benefit from
a number of specific skill-development toys. They can spend hours
with art and crafts materials, particularly washable paints,
clay, collage equipment, and small beads for jewelry making.
Books and more complex games with rules and turn-taking are also
appropriate, and natural objects (stones and shells) can pique
an interest in science and the environment.
Keep in mind that the holiday season can also be stressful
for children. It isn’t necessary to give a child a room
full of toys in order for him to have fun. Sometimes the simplest
pleasures are the most enjoyable.
Additional Resources
Bronson, Martha B. 1995. The Right Stuff for Children Birth
to 8: Selecting Play Materials to Support Development. Washington,
DC: NAEYC. #312/$8
National Association for the Education of Young Children
1509 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-1426
Phone: 202-232-8777; 800-424-2460
FAX: 202-328-1846
E-mail: pubaff@naeyc.org
Web: http://www.naeyc.org/
Copyright © 1997 by National Association for the Education
of Young Children.
Title: Simple Gift Giving for the Early Years
Publication Date: 1997
Publisher/Institutional Source: National Association
for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Contact: See publication.
Copyright/Permission:
This text is copyright © 1997 by the National Association
for the Education of Young Children.
This text is reproduced on NPIN with the permission of the National
Association for the Education of Young Children.
Reproduction of this material is freely granted, provided credit
is given to the National Association for the Education of Young
Children.
NPIN Acquisition: N00004. January 1998. |
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