This concise, easy to use resource is essential for all parents of children from birth through twelve years of age. The more parents understand about the stage of development their child is in, the more they can enjoy their youngster, and the better it is for their child. Therefore, each age begins with a brief description of where the child is developmentally, including socially and physically, namely large muscle and fine motor, and cognitively. This is followed by a detailed listing of toys that have universal appeal and toys appropriate for the age of the child with accompanying comments and cautions. This book would make a great baby shower gift and is a must for parents, but also for grandparents and anyone buying toys for children.
Daphne Duran is an educator with a B.Sc. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Reading, and over thirty years of experience working with children. In addition to teaching three year olds to twelve year olds as a classroom teacher and as a certified reading specialist, she has done educational research, clinical work, and work with children and teachers in elementary schools. She has written handouts for parents on effective parenting, how to help with homework, and how to make the home a learning environment. She has created a curriculum for educators which she has shared at workshops, and when speaking at various Regional and State Reading Association conventions. She was selected Who's Who in Education, however, what has meant much more to her was being a mother, for parenting has been a source of great joy and it provided her with a wealth of material for this book.
Introduction xiii
I. Infancy
0 - 6 Months 1
6 - 12 Months 5
12 - 18 Months 11
18 - 24 Months 17
II. The Two Year Old 26
III. The Three Year Old 28
IV. The Four Year Old 54
V. The Five Year Old 72
VI. The Six Year Old 92
VII. The Seven Year Old 114
VIII. The Eight Year Old 136
IX. The Nine Year Old 160
X. The Ten Year Old 180
XI. The Preteen 200
Appendixes
A. Games 219
B. Books 223
C. Catalogs 238
D. Helpful Books and Articles 241
The following symbols are used throughout this book.
}}Toys listed for the first time, appropriate for a given developmental level, with comments listed, and cautions printed in bold.
}Toys previously listed that continue to appeal, but entries added due to increasing skill ability, with comments listed, and cautions printed in bold.
Toys previously listed that continue to appeal, but do not need any changes, with comments listed, and cautions printed in bold.
A giggle of delight may be heard when this eighteen month old toddler looks in the mirror and recognizing their reflection says their own name. This awareness of having an identity is exhibited through the use of the words "I", "you", "me", "my", and "mine". And it is as though you too are seeing the real little person your infant is. With a vocabulary of about fifty words, increasing to around two hundred words, simple phrases are now understood and two step directions can be followed. When asked where something is, an object can be retrieved. During the reading of a story this little one will want to turn the pages, but may fumble two or three at a time. A fun activity is naming simple objects when asked, "What is that?" Having something you name pointed to on a page in a game of I Spy is still enjoyed. When the story is over the book can be put where you say, whether it is on, in, or under something. From the days of being carried with cries needing to be interpreted, to now, baby has come a long way!
> ACTIVITY TOY Some multi-action toys may be outgrown now.
- Play house
- Light up and sound piano
- Pop up animal
- Spin around activity
> BALLS Avoid nonfabric-covered sponge balls and ping pong balls.
- Medium-sized, colorful, easily gripped ball
- Beach ball, with some air out, is ideal
- Clutch ball that jingles and has textured handles
BEADS
- Large plastic snap beads can be dropped noisily into a container, then dumped out. An older person will need to snap them together.
> BLOCKS Blocks should be too large to fit in mouth
- Blocks that rattle or jingle are still enjoyed by some toddlers.
- Large hollow blocks that measure 22"x 11" or 9"x4" have many uses.
- Blocks - 12"x 6"x 3" plastic laminated, hollow, corrugate cardboard blocks that can support 200 pounds.
- Blocks in shapes with a shape sorter. The lid should be put away for now. The container can be used for filling and dumping fun.
- Nesting cubes cannot be nested, but, are great fun used to hide a toy.
> BOOKS See Appendix B for a list of suggested titles.
- Books on wheels for your toddler to push around
- Books with large, colorful, simple objects
- Cloth books
- Heavy cardboard books
- Texture books
- Squeeze Me books
