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- Young Toddlers (1 Year Olds)
Young Toddlers (1 Year Olds)
All Toys
- Children prefer action toys, toys that produce movement or sounds by child's own effort:
- toys need not be highly detailed but should be realistic looking.
- toys should be lightweight for easy lifting, carrying.
- bright colors preferred.
- In play, child always on the move - large muscle activities such as running, climbing dominate over small muscle activities such as exploring objects, constructing.
- Child beginning to combine, put together objects.
- Beginning of imitative play.
- Toys should meet safety regulations for age:
- sturdy, unbreakable; not likely to break into small pieces and strong enough for child to stand on or in.
- non-toxic materials.
- no sharp or points or edges.
- too large to be lodged in windpipe, ears, nostrils.
- no detachable small parts.
- no parts that could pinch or entrap fingers, toes, hair.
- not put together with easily exposed straight pins, sharp wires, nails.
- no electrical parts, unless supervised by adult.
Active Play
- Push and Pull Toys
- push toys with rods (rods with large handles on ends).
- toys to push on floor - simple, sturdy, with large wheels.
- special noise and action effects.
- for steady walkers, pull toys on strings (broad-based to tip less easily).
- From about 1 1/2 years old:
- simple doll carriages.
- wagons - low, open, big enough for child to get in.
- small rocking horses - confined rocking arc, stout handles rather than reins, knee height on child.
- push/pull toys filled with multiple objects.
- Ride-On Toys
- ride ons propelled by pushing with feet - no pedals.
- stable ride ons - 4 or more wheels, spaced wide apart, child's feet flat on floor when seated.
- ride ons with storage bins.
- ride ons that make noise, look like animals.
- Outdoor and Gym Equipment
- all gym equipment needs adult supervision.
- low, soft climbing platforms.
- tunnels for crawling.
- swings (pushed by adult) - seats curved by body shaped of energy-absorbing material with restraining strap.
- From about 1 1/2 years old:
- simple, low climbing structures.
- low slides with handrails.
- outdoor play equipment with stationary rather than moving parts.
- Sports Equipment
- soft lightweight balls, especially with interesting visual effects, noises, unpredictable movement.
- chime balls, flutter balls.
- large balls (easier for child to maneuver).
- All balls given to this age group should be at least 1-3/4 inches (44mm) in diameter; however, if any object appears to fit easily in the child's mouth, keep it away from the child).
Manipulative Play
- Construction Toys
- small lightweight stacking blocks (15-25 pieces).
- before 1 1/2, most interlocking mechanisms are too difficult.
- from about 1 1/2
- solid wooden unit blocks (20-40).
- large, hallow building blocks.
- large plastic bricks (2-4 inches or 50-100mm) to press together.
- Puzzles
- simple pre puzzles or form boards - 2-3 pieces, each piece a familiar shape.
- from about 1 1/2:
- 3-5 pieces puzzles with knobs easier to use (knobs firmly attached).
- Pattern Making Toys
- peg board with a few large pegs.
- Manipulative Toys
- activity boxes attached to crib or playpen or freestanding - simple action mechanisms (doors, lids, switches).
- hidden object toys.
- simple pop-up toys operated by pushing a button or knob.
- nesting cups - round shape, few pieces.
- simple stacking toys - few pieces, no order necessary.
- shape sorters - a few common shapes.
- From around 1 1/2.
- fit-together toys of about 5 pieces.
- activity boxes with more complex action mechanisms- turning knob or dial, turning simple key.
- pounding/hammering toys.
- nesting toys - square or other shapes.
- stacking toys of 4-5 pieces.
- simple number/counting boards (1-5) with large pegs.
- jack-in-the-box toys (adult supervision if toys spring back quickly).
- toys with screwing action (child can usually manage only 1 turn).
- Simple nesting cups.
- Stacking ring cones (few rings and safe stick).
- Graspable (unbreakable) mirror toys which can be held and played with.
- Loses interest in crib gyms and toys suspended above when can sit up and move about (crib gyms can create a strangulation hazard; stop using when child can push up on hands and knees at about 5 months).
- Dressing, Lacing, Stinging Toys
- large colored beads (fewer than 10).
- From around 1 1/2:
- lacing cubes or board with thick, blunt spindle.
- Sand and Water Play Toys.
- simple floating toys - 1-2 pieces, easy to grasp in one hand.
- sponges; small shovel and pail.
- From around 1 1/2 :
- nesting tub toys.
- bathtub activity centers.
- funnels, colanders.
- small sandbox tools (rake should have blunt teeth).
Make Believe Play
- Dolls
- soft-bodied or all-rubber baby dolls.
- simple dolls with no hair, moving eyes, or movable limbs.
- dolls to fit easily in child's arms, or small dolls (5-6 inches).
- simple accessories for care taking - bottle, blanket.
- simple doll clothes, need not be detachable.
- from around1 1/2:
- large peg people.
- Stuffed Toys
- very soft, lightweight, easy to hold.
- slender limbs on toys for easy grasp.
- for safety reasons no whiskers, buttons, bows or bells.
- Puppets
- puppets operated by adult.
- Role-Play Materials
- toy telephone; full length mirror.
- simple housekeeping equipment.
- simple doll equipment - carriage, bed.
- from around 1 1/2:
- simple dress-ups; hats, scarves, ties, shoes, jewelry.
- role-play toys that can be pushed and make noise - (TOY) mower, vacuum
- child-sized equipment - oven, fridge, sink, table, chairs.
- Play Scenes (Including Small Figures)
- All figurines should be at least 1 3/4 inches (44millameters) in diameter: however if any object appears to fit easily in the child's mouth keep it away from child.)
- Before 1 1/2
- child may enjoy handling, carrying around figures.
- From around 1 1/2:
- familiar, realistic scenes - farm, airport, garage - not overly detailed pieces (4-6 pieces)
- prefer scenes with moving parts or that make noise.
- Transportation Toys
- lightweight vehicles of a size for easy handling (not too small) and with secure wheels.
- push or pull cars and trains.
- first train- 1-2 cars, no tracks, simple or no coupling system.
- from around 1 1/2:
- more detailed vehicles - doors, hoods that open.
- trains with simple coupling system - large hooks, magnets.
- Projectile Toys - not suited to age group
Creative Play - Arts, Crafts, & Music
- Musical Instruments
- rhythm instruments operated by shaking - enclosed bells, rattles.
- from around 1 1/2:
- rhythm instruments, operated by banging - cymbals, drums, xylophones.
- Art and Craft Materials
- large crayons.
- sturdy, large-size paper.
- Audio-Visual Equipment (Adult Operated)
- records, tapes, or CDs (gentle regular rhythms, lullabies).
- hand-cranked music box, worked by child if crank is large and easy to turn.
Learning Play
- Games - not suited to age group
- Specific Skill Development Toys - not suited to age group
- Books and 'Peek-a-Boo' Books
- sturdy cloth, plastic, cardboard books with few pages.
- picture books, nursery rhymes, stories with repetition.
- books to be held and read by adult can be more fragile, with paper pages.
- from around 1 1/2:
- touch-me or tactile books.