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Healthy
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Preschool Playtime
Toys can be a great source of fun and tools for learning, or can be a danger to young children. As you examine a typical preschool environment, you will likely find many toys are important to development and learning, but also require some safety precautions.
Toy safety for preschoolers involves both knowing what toys are safe for children at certain ages as well as monitoring the condition of the toys.
Blocks
Wooden unit blocks have been a play time staple for many years. Blocks can be used in many different ways. Children can sort them, pile them, haul them, stack them, and construct simple designs or intricate ones. Blocks can be used alone, or props can be added to enhance play. Adding farm animals, small vehicles, rug or cloth scraps, empty paper towel tubes, or paper cups may encourage children to use the blocks in a whole new way, thus extending their learning experience.
Children can build all by themselves or share with others during block play. During block play, children can develop social, language, physical, and intellectual skills. Block play is full of math and science experiences as well as creative ones as the children create designs. If a childcare program could have only one toy for children, a top choice would be wooden unit blocks.
Based on the many possibilities, one might assume that blocks are great for fun and learning and not a danger for children. But the condition of the blocks and the environment where they are used will contribute to the safety or lack of it. Wooden blocks can become rough with wear and may need to be sanded to prevent splinters. Wooden blocks also become dirty and need to be washed with soap and water.
Blocks should be placed in a play space that is visible to adults, but still protected from other parts of the play area, such as in a corner where the walls can protect two sides. Children can trip over blocks, causing distress to the builder as well as potential physical harm. Shelves for storing blocks can be used to form two other low walls, leaving defined entrances/exits to the area. Block areas should be large enough for children to create buildings and structures. If block areas are too small, conflicts and/or accidents can result due to crowding.
Manipulatives
In a table toy or manipulatives area, there are generally small toys such as puzzles, board games, peg boards, small connecting blocks, and lacing cards. Table toys can encourage small muscle development and thinking skills, but when handled by preschoolers every day they become dirty.
Toys should be washed on a regular schedule; cleaning time is a great opportunity to check for cracks in plastic toys that could pinch fingers, broken or sharp edges that could poke, and rough edges on wooden toys that could cause splinters.
Dramatic Play
The house or dramatic play area generally has make-believe props, many of which may come from homes. Children enjoy the weight and feel of a real phone, hair dryer, or even microwave. First, all wires, batteries and any other potential harmful attachments must be removed. The housekeeping area also may include empty containers for role playing; these should be clean and free of sharp edges. Containers with food crumbs could cause insect problems or even trigger allergic reactions in some children.
Dress-up clothes provide a wonderful experience, but they should be laundered often. Hats, which may facilitate the spread of lice or ringworm, should be avoided. Jewelry can be a perfect accessory but should be free of pins, sharp edges, and loose pieces. Necklaces should only be used when children are not being physically active to prevent the risk of strangulation (i.e., they should not be worn on the playground).
Sand and Water Play
Sand and water play can provide marvelous learning experiences for children, but require strict sanitation procedures. Children should wash their hands before and after playing in water or sand. Sand and water toys should be durable and have rounded and smooth edges.
Water toys may include siphons, measuring cups, aquarium nets, sponges, tubing, buckets, sieves, funnels, water pumps, corks, boats, water wheels and much more. Sand toys may include measuring cups and spoons, tubing, buckets, sieves, funnels, sand wheels, shovels, small rakes, and scoops, as well as other materials.
Sand from beaches or other areas may contain hazardous rocks, debris, bugs, or other unsafe materials. Sterilized “play sand” is generally recommended for children’s play, but it may contain crystalline silica, which can be harmful to lungs when young children frequently breathe the dust. Outside sand boxes also should have proper drainage systems and be covered when not in use. Sand should be replaced at least every two years. Water tables should be emptied and disinfected daily using the same bleach/water solution you use to disinfect tables (1/4 cup bleach per gallon of water, made fresh daily).
Supervision is a primary tool for ensuring a safe experience for young children as they play with the wide range of toys available. In addition to supervision, it is important for all adults who are responsible for children, whether at home or in childcare, to stay current about safety recalls, news reports of hazardous materials, and legislation intended to protect children from harmful toys.
Selecting Toys
Careful selection of each toy is important. Consider the ages and abilities of the children who will play with the toys. They must be old enough to use the toys safely. What is safe for a 10-year-old can be dangerous for a four-year-old and fatal for a two-year-old.
Next, look at ways the toy can be used and misused and evaluate the construction quality. It if is cheap, it may not be a good deal. Ongoing toy maintenance is crucial for ensuring child safety. A regular routine for checking and cleaning toys is essential.
It is exciting to hear the squeal of delight when children are playing and having fun! Providing appropriate toys and making sure that toys are clean and free from hazards can help ensure that children’s playtime is fun and safe.
Connie Jo Smith EdD
and Amy S. Hood, MA
Early Childhood Education Specialists, Training & Technical Assistance Services, Western Kentucky University
Resources
National Safe Kids Campaign, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Ste. 1000, Washington, DC 20004; 202-662-0600; www.safekids.org
Internet Resources
An online resource for government recalls, including consumer products, www.recalls.gov
National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), toysafety.net
The Toy Manufacturers of America Guide to Toys and Play, www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/toys_ply.html
Toy Tips--an independent testing and rating of toys by children, parents, and educators; articles, and more, www.toytips.com
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Toy Safety Publications, www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/toy_sfy.html
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Law Regarding Review and Labeling of Art Materials, www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5016.html
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