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Safe Toy Play for Toddlers
Research continues to demonstrate that the first three years of life are the most important learning periods for young children. Learning during these years takes place mainly through play and exploration. In order to provide the most beneficial window of learning, parents and caregivers should offer a variety of experiences. These opportunities should come from safe and appropriate toys, including but not limited to blocks, art materials, sand and water, as well as toys that promote fine and large motor skills.
Art Materials
Through the use of art materials, toddlers (ages 12-36 months) have the opportunity to express creativity, enhance language development, explore various sensory and textural experiences, and begin developing fine motor skills. Any art materials provided for toddlers should be non-toxic and should include opportunities to use paint, crayons, markers, and modeling clay. The best practice for toddlers does not include the use of food as art materials.
Block Play
Blocks are appropriate toys for toddlers and provide open-ended play. This type of play enhances cognitive development including skills necessary for pre-reading and learning numbers. Block play also enhances social/emotional and language development as well. Appropriate block play for toddlers includes opportunities to use large cardboard blocks, soft blocks, and lightweight wooden blocks.
When preparing for block play, there should be at least six blocks of the same type. Other accessories for block play include toys that will allow toddlers to dump and fill spaces with the blocks, such as trucks, cars and wagons. Toy animals and people also are appropriate materials to include with block play as they lead to pretend play that will encourage children to use their imaginations.
Fine Motor Skills
Choosing toys that help develop fine motor skills and abilities is important. In addition to art materials, examples of fine motor toys for toddlers include: simple puzzles, shape sorters, stringing beads, peg boards with pegs (large size), interlocking blocks or puzzles, and other materials that children can shake, push, pull, turn, and use their thumb and forefinger together.
Opportunities to dig and pour with specific different types of textures are essential to children’s development. Sand and/or water play is important for toddlers. Sterilized potting soil, play sand, or other shredded non-toxic materials can be used for this type of play. Clean water in water tables or dishpans also is appropriate for play as long as adults are directly supervising. Measuring cups, spoons, shovels, buckets, floating toys, and small cars and trucks are essential accessories in this play area.
Guidelines for Toddlers
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has established guidelines for infants and toddlers in an ongoing effort to advocate for physical activity for children of all ages. These guidelines state that toddlers should have a minimum of 30 minutes a day specifically focusing on physical activity. There are several toys that can be used during this time to promote physical development and practice with large motor skills and abilities. Examples include large push-pull toys such as wagons, riding toys without pedals, large balls or beanbags, mats for tumbling, slides, and climbing equipment.
Opportunities for toddlers to run, jump, kick, throw, and practice climbing stairs are other examples of beneficial physical activity. Although toddlers need to have daily experiences outdoors, these types of toys and experiences also should be provided indoors.
Because toddlers are still exploring and examining their world through their senses, they are very likely to put the toys and materials in their mouths. The equipment provided for young children must be checked and maintained regularly in order to prevent toy-related accidents and injuries. Materials that should not be used with toddlers due to potential hazards include Styrofoam peanuts, small pebbles, dried beans, corn meal, or flour.
Information gathered from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Toy Manufacturers of America Guide to Toys and Play provides recommendations for parents and caregivers as you choose toys for young children. These recommendations include:
- Look for the recommended age levels and any warnings provided by the toy manufacturer. Ensure they are appropriate for the developmental abilities of the individual child.
- Toys for toddlers should be free of small parts. Dolls, stuffed animals, and other toys should not have buttons, bows, eyes, nose, or other small parts that could be pulled loose by children.
- The toys should be large enough so that they are not considered choking hazards. Choking tubes can be purchased in local stores that help measure toys to determine if they are potential choking materials. (Helpful hint: 35mm film canisters or empty toilet paper tubes also work to measure toys.)
- Stay away from balloons! Young children are very attracted to balloons; but for young children who are still examining items by mouth, these present choking or suffocation hazards.
- Choose cloth or stuffed toys that have the words “machine/surface washable” on them. This will allow you to keep the toys clean and reduce germs.
- If choosing toys that require electricity, make sure that they are “UL Approved.” This statement designates toys that have been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories for safety.
When parents and caregivers ensure the safety of toys and equipment and provide many appropriate opportunities to use them, toddlers will learn through play!
Connie Jo Smith, EdD, Early Childhood Education Specialist, Training & Technical Assistance Services, Western Kentucky UniversityAmy S. Hood, EdD, Infant and Toddler Specialist, Training and Technical Assistance Services, Western Kentucky University
Internet Resources
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Toy Safety has a variety of publications, www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/toy_sfy.html
An online resource for government recalls, including consumer products and toys, www.recalls.gov
Resources
National Safe Kids Campaign, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Ste. 1000, Washington, DC 20004; 202-662-0600; www.safekids.org
Toy Manufacturers of America Guide to Toys and Play, a booklet by American Toy Institute, Inc. 200 Fifth Avenue, Suite 740, New York, NY 10010; www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/toys_ply.html. The booklet is available on the website or can be ordered to distribute to staff and parents.
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