Choosing the best toys for kids

Toys are among the most important learning materials any child can lay their hands on. I am a firm believer in the value of play and for me, I feel that there really is no “wrong” or “right” toys for kids. For example, some may criticize Barbie dolls because it can give children the wrong notion of beauty. Some might even point out that these dolls can affect one’s self-esteem and body image because it portrays beauty as being long-legged, well-endowed, blond and blue-eyed. However, for me, I see that Barbie’s are great ways for kids to learn about the social nuances of day to day. With these dolls, kid’s learn to pretend play. While I don’t like toy guns, I’m sure this can also be a good way to develop a child’s skills in some way, shape or form.

For me, whatever the toy may be, what matters is the way they are designed and how it can foster a child’s thinking skills, creativity and social skills. I like toys that are more ambiguous and unstructured such as blocks, playdough and sand.

Some guidelines I consider when purchasing toys are as follows:

1. Does it have any small parts that are unsuitable for young kids, such as doll eyes, buttons or the like. For toy cars, do they have little parts such as those tiny toy Ferrari parts that may come loose?
2. Does it smell so yummy that it may entice a child to bite or taste it? This is especially true for play dough! I once made a batch with peppermint scent and….well…it smelled like candy and I had kids who attempted to taste it!!!
3. Are there sharp edges that may accidentally hurt a child? I notice these usually in blocks and puzzle boxes.
4. Is the paint safe? A lot of cheap toys have been said to contain lead in their paint, so I try to choose toys that are not painted or are of good quality.
5. How much does it weigh? Believe it or not, some toys are quite heavy! I avoid these as this can be an accident waiting to happen.

These are just a few questions I ask myself before incorporating these toys in my classroom. Do you have any other suggestions? Please feel free to post them below

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