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Fun Play. Safe Play.
A guide from the Toy Industry Foundation, Inc.
| Contents |
The Joy of Play
The Importance of Play
Parents: The First Playmates
Toy Safety Hotline
Toy Selection
An Age-by-Age Guide to Buying Toys
Birth - Six Months
Six Months - One Year
One - Two Years
Two - Three Years
Three - Six Years
Six - Nine Years
Nine - Twelve Years
Choosing Toys for Children with Disabilities
Safe Play
As Good As New
Everything In Its Place
About Toy Industry Foundation, Inc.
About the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Ten Steps to Fun and Safe Play
PDF Version
| The Joy of Play |
Play is universal. Children of every culture engage in play; anthropologists have found evidence of toys dating as far back as there is record of human life. Though play differs from culture to culture, generation to generation, it is clearly an instinctual, essential part of growing up.
While play has existed since ancient times, only recently have we come to appreciate its importance to a child's development. Too often, we dismiss playtime as simply entertainment for our children. Yet, experts consider play to be a child's work. Truly, there is no more constructive pastime for a child. While play is the essential joy of youth, it is also the primary way in which children learn about themselves, others and their world. Through play, children develop the physical, mental, social, emotional and creative skills needed for life.
Given the many benefits of play, parents and caregivers naturally want to make the most of it for their children - to choose appropriate toys, encourage positive play experiences and, above all, ensure safe play. This booklet will help you do that.
| The Importance of Play |
Play has an undeniable influence on every aspect of a
child's development, laying the foundation for reading,
writing, mathematical reasoning and creativity.
Through play children develop:
Perhaps most important of all, play is fun. Years later, when we recall our childhood, it is the happy times spent playing with special people that we remember most fondly.
| Parents: The First Playmates |
It has been said that parents are their child's first playmates. Not only do parents have an important role in choosing appropriate toys for their children, but also research shows that children who play regularly with their parents enjoy the greatest developmental benefits. For children fortunate enough to have grandparents and other extended family members who live nearby, playtime with these special adults also can be enriching.
Observe your child, take his or her lead, and offer new ways to play and have fun. Too often, parents think they are too busy to play with their child. Yet, children grow up while we're washing dishes and opening mail. Sometimes life can wait.
| Toy Safety Hotline |
| Toy Selection |
As you shop, consider that children of all ages need a well-balanced assortment of toys to contribute to their development and pleasure -- ones for active play, manipulative play, make-believe play and creative play. Study your child, know what his or her interests and abilities are, and read labels to help you make the right selections.
| About Labels on Products: |
Labels on toy packages take some of the guesswork out of choosing safe, appropriate toys. Child development experts agree that while each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, there are certain stages that are fairly predictable. For example, children generally sit up unsupported in the middle of the first year and take their first steps in the early half of the second year. These averages help toymakers design and label playthings that will be safe for and appealing to children of a specific age group.
Toys are labeled based on four criteria: the safety aspects of the toy; the physical capabilities of the child (ability to manipulate the toy); the cognitive abilities of the child (understanding how to use the toy); and the child's interests.
The most common safety label warns against choking hazards. Any toy or game manufactured for children ages three to six is required to carry such a warning if the toy contains small parts, small balls, marbles or a balloon. Such toys are not intended for children under three or any child who is still mouthing objects. Other common labels to look for include "flame retardant/flame resistant" on fabric products, "surface or machine washable" on stuffed toys and dolls and "UL Listed” (for Underwriters Laboratories) on electrically operated toys.
Some manufacturers add other safety warnings to the package and/or instructions advising parents that special care should be taken. Toys that would have cautionary labels might include: science toy sets with toxic chemicals, craft kits with sharp or breakable items and crib gyms and mobiles, which should be removed when a baby reaches five months of age or begins to push up on hands and knees.
In our competitive society, it might be tempting to buy a toy for a young child that is intended for an older child. This is not advisable. The age label has been thoughtfully assigned based on many factors including safety. If a child is given a toy that is too advanced, he or she may become frustrated or be exposed to a safety risk.
While labels help consumers narrow down their choices, no package label can tell you exactly which toy is right for your child. Use labels as a guide, but always keep in mind the maturity, skill level and interest of the child when making toy purchases.
Be especially careful when selecting toys for children under three:
| An Age by Age Guide to Buying Toys |
Based on child development research, the following guide will help in your selection of toys for various age groups. Some playthings are recommended for more than one age category, as children of different ages often enjoy the same toy, each playing with it at his or her own level.
| Birth to 6 Months |
Abilities and Interests
Experts agree that even babies benefit from toys. Infants use their senses to learn about their world. For the first few months of life, babies are unable to grasp objects with their hands, but enjoy exploring with their ears and eyes. Therefore, toys that make noise or feature high-contrast, black-and-white or brightly colored images are especially appealing to newborns and young infants. Once infants can reach for objects, they enjoy toys that are textured and safe for mouthing. Remember, to avoid dangerous entanglement, toys never should be hung or attached to a crib, playpen, stroller, infant seat or around a child’s neck with elastic, string or ribbon.
Toy Suggestions
*Remove when baby is five months old or is able to push up on hands and knees.
| 6 Months to 1 Year |
Abilities and Interests
In the second half of the first year, infants master the
motor skills that enable them to play with toys in new
and exciting ways. When babies can sit up, they enjoy
playthings they can manipulate - to bang, drop, stack, put
in and take out and open and shut. Once they can
crawl, “cruise” (walk while holding onto furniture) and
walk, they enjoy things that move along with them.
Toys that show cause and effect are also thrilling at this
age.
Toy Suggestions
| 1 to 2 Years |
Abilities and Interests
In the second year of life, children are explorers. Fueled by curiosity and wonder, toddlers also possess the physical skills that make it easy for them to play and learn. A busy toddler needs toys for physical play - walking, climbing, pushing and riding - and ones that encourage experimentation and manipulation. At this age, children imitate adults and enjoy props that help them master life skills.
Toy Suggestions
| 2 to 3 Years |
Abilities and Interests
Older toddlers love testing their physical skills--
jumping, climbing, and throwing -- and enjoy toys
for active play. This age group also possesses
good hand and finger coordination and enjoys
putting these skills to work with basic arts and
crafts, puppets, blocks and simple puzzles.
Imaginative play also begins in the third year.
Toy Suggestions
| 3 to 6 Years |
Abilities and Interests
After the age of three, children begin to play actively with each other. Preschoolers and kindergartners are masters of make-believe. They like to act out grownup roles and enjoy costumes and props to help them bring their imaginations to life. It is quite common for children this age to develop strong attachments to favorite toys, expressing feelings to a special doll or teddy bear. Materials for arts and crafts are also popular with this age group, which enjoys creating things with their hands.
Toy Suggestions
| 6 to 9 Years |
Abilities and Interests
School-age children enjoy play that requires strategy
and skill. Board games, tabletop sports and classic
toys like marbles and kites are favorites. Gradeschoolers
also enjoy exploring different kinds of
grown-up worlds and like fashion and career dolls
and action figures. Children this age seek out new
information and experiences through play and enjoy
science, craft and magic kits. In addition, this age
group possesses the physical skills and coordination
to enjoy junior versions of adult sporting equipment.
Toy Suggestions
| 9 to 12 Years |
Abilities and Interests
Preteenagers begin to develop hobbies and life-long interests and enjoy crafts, model kits, magic sets, advanced construction sets, science kits and sophisticated jigsaw puzzles. Active play finds its expression in team sports. Painting, sculpting, ceramics and other art projects continue to be of interest.
Toy Suggestions
| Choosing Toys for Children with Disabilities |
While selecting the right toy for any child can be
challenging, parents, caregivers and friends sometimes
need extra help choosing toys for children with
disabilities.
Toy Industry Foundation (TIF – formerly the American Toy Institute) teamed up with the National Lekotek Center - a nationwide non-profit organization - to help make play more accessible for these special children. Lekotek provides the Lekotek Toy Resource Helpline, a toll-free service (1-800-366-PLAY), staffed by play experts who can recommend appropriate toys and activities for children and families.
In addition, TIF offers a number of resources to help
children play safely. For more information, please
write to:
Toy Industry Foundation, Inc.
1115 Broadway, Suite 400
New York, NY 10010
or visit:
www.tia-imis.org.
| Safe Play |
Adult Supervision is Critical
The toy industry and the Federal government work hard to ensure that toys are among the safest products brought into the home. A toy may go through more than one hundred safety tests to imitate the kind of use and abuse it may get in the hands of a child. In addition, toy labels help parents and caregivers choose the right toys for their children.
Safe manufacturing and careful toy selection, however, are not enough to protect our children. Parents and caregivers should be their own safety experts, ensuring that toys are used, maintained and stored correctly. There is no substitute for adult supervision of play.
Toy-related injuries generally occur when an infant or toddler chokes on a toy intended for an older child, when a child trips over a toy that was not put away after use, or when an unsupervised child hits another with a toy. Most play-related injuries are avoidable.
| As Good As New |
Toys must also be properly maintained to ensure safe play.
| Everything In Its Place |
Toys inspire feelings of ownership in children. This
sense of possessiveness presents a perfect opportunity
for adults to teach children that care must be given to
valued belongings. At an early age, children can be
taught to store their toys properly in a place selected by
you. This prevents toys from being lost, stolen or
damaged. In addition, it may prevent falls and keep
younger children away from toys intended for older
ones. It is especially important to keep toys off
staircases to avoid falls.
If a storage chest is used, be sure it has a removable lid or a spring-loaded support that allows the lid to remain securely open. Also, check for smooth, finished edges, air holes to prevent suffocation and hinge-line clearances to prevent pinched fingers.
Other good options for storing and organizing toys are large, stackable plastic bins, smooth-edged baskets or sturdy, open shelves.
| About Toy Industry Foundation, Inc. (TIF) |
Toy Industry Foundation is the educational and philanthropic institution of Toy Industry Association, Inc. In addition to educating the public about toys and safe play by distributing materials to institutions, public organizations, parents and caregivers, the Foundation also provides a platform to develop proactive and thoughtful programs and partnerships with organizations that share a commitment to children in need.
| About Toy Industry Association, Inc. |
Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA™), formerly Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc., is the trade group for the North American toy industry. TIA is recognized by the government, trade, media, and consumers as the authoritative voice of the toy industry. The organization, founded in 1916, is based in New York City.
| About the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent, Federal regulatory agency that protects the public against unreasonable risks of death and injury associated with consumer products, including toys. To report a hazardous product or product-related injury, contact the CPSC at (800) 638-2772. Hearing- and speech-impaired callers can dial the CPSC teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. You may also visit the CPSC website at: www.cpsc.gov
| Ten Steps to Fun and Safe Play |
1. When shopping for toys, keep in mind the
child's age, interests and abilities.
2.
Read toy or packaging labels for age ranges
and safety warnings.
3.
Be especially careful when choosing toys for
children under three. Select toys that are free of
small pieces (or pieces that separate or can be
broken off), are lightweight, have no sharp
edges or points and are non-toxic.
4.
At home, read instructions for assembly and
use. Keep product literature in case of future
questions and complete warranty cards.
5.
Remove and discard all packaging from a toy
before giving it to a baby or small child.
6.
Consider the home environment in which a
child will play with a toy and younger children
who may be there. A toy intended for an older
child may be dangerous in the hands of a
younger one.
7.
Supervise children when they play and set good
examples of safe play.
8.
Remind caregivers, including grandparents, of
play-related safety concerns.
9.
Choose a safe storage place for toys.
10.
Check toys at least every three months to determine
their safety. Make any repairs immediately or throw
away damaged toys.
Children are inspired to realize their full potential through play. Thank you for caring enough to help make playtime a safe, rewarding, joyful experience.
For up-to-date information about toys and play, please visit our website at: www.toyassociation.org, click on“Toy Safety Hotline”
TIF thanks the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Lekotek Center and National SAFE KIDS Campaign for their review and support of this publication.
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