How do I choose toys for my child?

Here are some tips for choosing quality toys:

* Safety first

Toys should be age appropriate to match a child’s developmental level and should not contain unsafe, toxic or flammable materials, sharp corners, or small detachable parts. They should also be easy to clean.

* Durability

What is the toy made of? In order to survive the wear and tear of a child’s repeated handling, a toy must be made of sturdy, reliable materials.

* Easy to use

A child must be able to operate the toy by himself in order for him to enjoy it. Therefore, pick out toys that fit and

enhance a child’s level of development and ability.

* Entertainment value

The toy should be one that your child will find interesting and fun to play with now and, ideally, as he grows and develops. Look for open-ended toys that a child can experiment with in many ways.

* Educational value

Play is the way that children develop new skills and learn to think, create and imagine. Therefore, the toys you choose should help them practice these pursuits.

* Social value

Toys that children can play with together are essential since children learn important social skills, like cooperation,

sharing, negotiation and compromise by interacting with other children through play.