Dr. Toy: The Right Stuff for Baby
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New babies need stimulation, entertainment and safety. Parents are the baby’s First Big Toy. Talk, laugh, sing,
play games and have lots of fun together. Add some special items to your baby’s experiences when he or she is
ready. Select those products carefully.
The mobile with bright colors will help baby focus. The rattle will get their attention. The rubber ducky will ease
baby’s bath time. Check out the wonderful soft, washable stuffed animals. Add a music box, tapes and a tape
recorder when you want baby to relax and fall asleep.
As babies get older and more coordinated, they’re ready for toys that offer interaction. A mirror is fun. Cloth
blocks will be eagerly gripped. A crib gym builds small muscles. A Flutter Ball or Chimeball will amuse. When
up and walking push-and pull toys will be happily used. Shape-sorting boxes teach focus skills. Look for quality
products such as those by Fisher Price, Playskool and Brio. Check our Cultural Toys.
Examine the product box for its tested, recommended age range. Be sure your baby is ready for the product. You
can find more about best new toys for babies by frequently reviewing Dr. Toys Guide.
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Watch as the baby reaches. Always make sure there are no dangerous small pieces, loose ties or ribbons. Don’t let
an older child give baby a small object. Keep the space around your baby safe at all times.
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Toddlers actively explore their world and want to touch, smell and taste everything. Watch carefully and child
proof the playspace. This is a great time for lots of good, safe toys and varied play experiences.
The right toys at the right time will help your baby grow happy and healthy.
Lets Play!
Dr. Toy – The Right Stuff for Toddlers
The right toys help your toddler learn about color, shape, size and weight. Constantly checking things out, play
will help them develop strong muscles and minds. With blocks they gain small muscle strength and counting
skills. Its fun to build up, take down, and rebuild.
The toddler enjoys a soft doll. Pail, shovel, push-pull toy, jack-in-the-box, bubble pipe, pounding sets, ring stack,
puzzle, books and tapes. Toddlers love to play with household objects such as plastic dishes, pots, pans and cups.
A small broom will give him a chance to sweep. When selecting toys consider durability. How long will the toy
last under toddler testing? Is it childproof? A product should be long-lasting, substantial and made of good, strong
materials.
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Stuffed toys must be hygienic, washable, and with no fluff the child could pull off and put into her mouth. Protect
child from small parts or anything tiny that could cause choking. All products must be non-toxic. Look at toys by
Applause, Fisher-Price, Playskool, Discovery Toys, Colorforms and Todays Kids.
The toddler plays with or near other children, at his or her own pace. Contact with other children is important so
playgroups are great. Observe how the child interacts with people and objects. This is the time to build selfesteem. As we observe the child notice the way he feels about himself affects his physical, emotional, and mental
growth.
Lets Play!
Dr. Toy: The Right Stuff for Preschoolers
Preschoolers have a lot of energy. They are interested in everything. Vocabulary, self-expression and imagination
are rapidly expanding. They like play that is dramatic, creative and active. Their love of responsibilities and
communication skills through play.
The best products for your child have a lot of Play Value. You want long lasting products that will provide hours
of fun like wooden blocks, construction playsets and puzzles. Look for various textures, shapes, sizes and colors.
Your child will enjoy a trike and outdoor play equipment. For indoors select a good mix of art supplies, playsets,
books and tapes.
Take your child to the toy store. She will be excited by many choices. This is a great way to hear what your child
thinks. Let her create her Wish List. Consider toys by Brio, Darda/Heroes, Discovery Toys, Fisher Price, LEGO,
Little Tikes, Playskool, Radio Flyer and Todays Kids.
Look for quality. Consider the materials used. Examine workmanship. It is said that we get what we pay for but,
unfortunately, this is not always true. Imagine your child playing with the product. Children have short attention
spans so even the best toy will be used only for a short time.
Study age labeling for appropriateness. Observe the toys and other products your child plays with at preschool.
You can learn a lot by observing. Products too complex are frustrating and those too easy are boring. Show the
child how to use the product only if he needs help. Its best to allow children to discover for themselves.
Toys offer a variety of self-expression. An angry child can use a foam bat and ball, a bop bag or hand-puppets to
express his feelings. For creativity he will benefit from clay, finger paints and crafts. For learning, use sorting of
shapes, sizes and weights, plus books and tapes. Eye-hand skills improve with ring toss, bean bags and
construction products.
Whatever your preschool child does he will have fun and show a lot of enthusiasm for play.
Lets play!
Dr. Toy’s Rx: What’s Best for Primary Grades
Children grow quickly, rapidly moving through developmental stages. During Primary Grades they are actively
expanding their interests in friendships, learning and outdoor play. Peers are very important. The types of toys
their friends play with and their activities will influence your child. Children express their ideas, creativity,
feelings, abilities and personality in play. They share the give and take and challenges of getting along. By
encouraging your child to play with younger and older children will provide a full range of social experiences.
You can choose among many useful play products for five to eight year olds. Active toys develop large and small
muscles. Consider skates, jump ropes, construction and adventure toys. Creative toys develop imagination.
Explore musical instruments, varied art supplies, crafts, a dollhouse or train layout. Educational toys enhance
learning in reading, writing, math, science or geography. Stimulate your child’s mental abilities. Challenge
thinking and problem-solving with chess set, strategy board game, science project, telescope or hobby.
Select toys that will challenge the child to practice skills expand abilities and have fun independently. Many great
choices are available from such companies as Alex, Aristoplay, Briarpatch, Curiosity Kits, Educational Insights,
Ertl, Frank Schaffer Publications, Great American Puzzle Company, LEGO, Kenner, Leap Frog, Galoob Toys,
Living Books, Manhattan Toy Company, Milton Bradley, Optimum Resources, Playmates, SEGA, Spizzirri
Publishing, Tasco and Wild Planet.
Take some time each day to play with your child. They will enjoy checkers, a board game, puzzle or doing a craft
together. Quality time means fun
Lets play!