Giving toys to children can almost be as much fun for the donor as for the child who receives the gifts. Choosing toys can be a challenge, but, with some thoughtful consideration, you can find toys a child will treasure.
Parenting children is pursuing an uncharted route. There are no GPS systems to tell us if we are on the right path
Safety is the most important issue when buying presents for children of any age. Very young children put everything into their mouths, so it is essential that there are no small parts for them to swallow.
Stuffed toys can have their eyes sewn on rather than glued so toddlers cannot chew them off. Paints used on toys should not contain toxic materials. Look out for sharp edges or pointed objects that could injure children.
Most manufacturers indicate that their toys are intended for certain age groups, so consider whether the toy you choose is appropriate.
Another issue is choosing toys that are appropriate for the child’s gender. Usually one would not give dolls to boys or toy cars to girls. Boys do not want ‘sissy’ toys and most girls do not care for cars and trucks. Neutral items like blocks, puzzles, books and balls are usually acceptable for both sexes.
When you are purchasing presents for other people’s children, you need to take into consideration parents’ attitudes and opinions. Many parents are not so happy for their children to receive drums or other noisy toys and many parents don’t appreciate toy guns or knives either.
Educational toys are always a good choice because learning can be fun. When children learn new things as they play, they will not think of the learning as work and will have a headstart when they go to school.
Another tip is to buy something related to a favourite film or TV show or character.
Children appreciate their presents more if you play with them and their new toys. When buying a game, show them how to play and let them win frequently. If you give a girl a tea set, let her serve the first cup of tea to you and remark about its flavour. When children have your undivided attention as they play with your gifts, they are sure to like them.
Parenting children is pursuing an uncharted route. There are no GPS systems to tell us if we are on the right path. Sometimes we have to listen to our instincts and also to the advice of sensible friends when it comes to deciding which are the best books or toys to buy.
One aspect of safety is whether toy guns encourage violent and aggressive behaviour. Over the years, there have been many measures taken to prevent the use of toy guns and pistols in response to an apparent rise in youth violence and aggressive behaviour by children. However, the evidence that ties playing with toy guns to fulfilling real acts of violence and crime just does not seem to be found.
On the contrary, there are some researchers who go so far as to say that preventing boys from playing with toy guns and weapons could actually be detrimental to their development and self-esteem.
Some observations show that, using a zero tolerance approach to children and toy guns does not turn children away from violence. Instead, it leaves children, often boys, less motivated and ‘marginalised’ in their development.
Children use imaginative play to work through their ideas, concerns and fantasies about how the world works. There is a difference between playing imaginative games that involve good versus evil and actual displays of aggressive, violent behaviour that harms real people.
In this context, it is a good idea to set guidelines and rules for play with toy weapons. Children should be taught that they are only to be used with others who want to play with them and never pointed at the face.
It is advisable to limit the watching by children of video games and television with real-world violence. Children are able to create their own imaginary worlds without any help from the media.
In selecting toys for children, one should remember that play is a child’s work. Toys are the tools of the trade. Appropriate toys need not be costly or complicated to provide many hours of leisure fun and learning.
There are important guidelines to be followed to ensure safe, educational toys as well as those which have long-lasting interest. Toys should stimulate a child’s imagination.