TOYS FOR YOUNG TODDLERS—L YEAR OLDS (Cont'd)

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY CREA'IIVE PLAY LEARNING PLAY
(arts, crafts, muste)

from around 1%
* more detailed vehicles--doors, hoods
that open.
© trains with simple coupling system—
large hooks, magnets.

Projectile Toys
not sutted fo age group



TOYS FOR YOUNG INFANTS—7 ‘TO 12 MONTHS

MAKE-BELILVE. PLAY

CREAIIVE PLAY
(arts crafts music)

LEARNING PLAY

Dolls
* soft baby dolls soft-bodied dolis, or
rag dolls—all with molded (not loose)
hair.

Stuffed Toys
© small plush animals.
© music box animals (operated and
monitored for safety by adult).
* grab or soft toys.
© big soft toys for hugging and
roughhousing.

Puppets
¢ soft hand puppets—child may handle but

must be operated as puppets by adult

Role Play Materials
low wall-mounted murrors to see self sit,
creep, crawl, etc,

Play Scenes (Including Small Figures)
not suited to age group

Transportation Toys
simple push cars (one-piece),

Projectile Toys
not suited to age group

Musical Instruments
® rubber or wood blocks that rattle or
tinkle.

Art and Craft Materials
fiom about 12 months
* large paper.
© large crayons for scribbling.

Audio-Visual Equipment (Adult Operated)
* records, tapes, or CDs (simple songs,
lullabies, music with simple rhythms).
© music boxes,

Games
not suited ta age group

Specific Skill Development Toys
not suited to age group

Books
* cloth books.
© plastic books.
* small cardboard books.

Note Some children enjoy ‘‘lap reading”’
(being read to) from this age onward.
When adult-held, paper picture books are

appropnate.

12



TOYS FOR OLDER 'TODDL

RS—2 YEAR OLDS

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY

CREATIVE PLAY
(arts, crafts, music)

LEARNING PLAY

Dolls

* soft-bodied and rubber baby dolls.

* more realistic dolls with hair and mov-

ing eyes.

¢ dolls to fit in child's arms, also small,
realistic dolls.
talking dolls operated by pulling string.
large peg dolls.
doll accessories — simple and sturdy.
caretaking accessories—bottle, blanket.
simple removable garments (hook and
loop, large snap fasteners).

eevee

Stuffed Toys
¢ soft, plable animals.
© mother and baby combinations.
* preference for realistic animals, replicas
of familiar characters,
® toys with music box inside.

Puppets
© small hand puppets (hand-and-arm pup-
pets too large).
lightweight, sized to fit child's hand.
* puppets doubling as stuffed toys.
© puppets representing familiar characters,

Musical Instruments
all rhythm instruments — bells, rattles,
cymbals, drums, triangle, rhythm stick,
sand blocks, xylophones,
¢ horns and whistles (around 24%).

Art and Craft Materials

© large crayons.

* non-toxic paints (finger and tempera) and
short handled brushes with blunt ends.
clay.
sturdy markers.
blunt-end scissors.
chalkboard, large chalk.
colored construction paper.

Games
* lotto matching games based on color
pictures.
* dominoes, especially giant dominoes,
* board games based on chance — only a
few large pieces or pairs.

Specific Skill Development Toys

simple teaching toys for

* matching/sorting, shapes, colors, let-
ters/sounds, numbers, concepts,

all electrically powered toys need adult
supervision.

22



TOY SAFETY. Mayor areas of consideration
tor all toys are safety and durability Toys should
be consuucted to withstand the uses and abuses of
children in the age range for which the toy ts
appropriate,

The US Consumer Product Safety Commus-
ston (CPSC) has satety regulations for certain toys
Manutacturers must design and manufacture their
products to meet these regulations so that hazardous
products ae not sold In addition, many toy manu-
facturers also adhere to the toy industry’s voluntary
safety standards.

What the Government Does:

Mandatory Toy Safety Regulations
For All Ages

* No shock or thermal hazards in electrical toys

* Amount of lead in toy paint severely limited

* No toxic materials in or on toys

® Art materials used by children under 12 should be
non-hazardous and indicate they conform with
ASTM D-4236

© Latex balloons and toys and games with latex bal-
Joons must be labeled warning of the choking and
suffocation hazards associated with pieces of and
uninflated balloons

Under Age 3
© Unbieakable— will withstand use anu abuse

© No small parts or pieces which could become
lodged in the throat

© Infant rattles large enough not to become lodged in
child’s throat and constructed so as not to separate
into small pieces

* No balls with diameters 1 75 inches or less

For Ages 3 through 6

* All toys and games with small parts must be labeled
to warn of the choking hazard to young children

For 3 years and older

* The following toys must be labeled to warn of the
choking hazard to young children
* All balls and toys and games with balls with a
diameter | 75 inches or less, and
* All maibles and toys and games with marbles

Under Age 8

© No electrically operated toys with heating
elements.

¢ No shatp points on toys.

© No sharp edges on toys.

CPSC also can remove from the marketplace toys
presenting hazards not covered by the regulations.

What the Industry Does:

Voluntary Standard tor Toy Safety
© Puts age and safety labels on toys.

© Puts warning Labels on cith gyms advising that


ABILITIES AND INTERESTS
Older Toddlers (2 Year Olds)

PHYSICAL

e
e

skilled at most simple large muscle skills.
lots of physical testing—jumping from
heights, climbing, hanging by arms, rolling,
galloping, somersaults, rough-and-tumble
play.

threws and retrieves all kinds of objects
pushes self on wheeled objects with good
steering.

by 2% to 3 years, good hand and finger
coordination.

lots of active play with small objects—

explores different qualities of play materials.

MENTAL

interested in attributes of obyects—texture,
shape, size, color.
can match a group of similar objects.

19

¢ plays with pattern, sequence, order of size.

¢ first counting skills.

© first creative activities (drawing, construc-
tion, clay)—process still more important than
final product.

© beginning to solve problems in head.

© imaginative fantasy play increases—continued
interest in domestic imitation.

© fantasy play alone or with adult—child also
makes toys carry out actions on other toys.

SOCIAL

© main interest still in parents, but begins to
play cooperatively with other children (espe-
cially 30 to 36 months).

© uses language to express wishes to others.

© engages in game-like interactions with
others—also some pretend play with others.

© enjoys hearing simple stories read from pic-
ture books, especially stories with repetition.

© strong desire for independence—shows pride
in accomplishment.


TOYS FOR PRESCHOOLERS—3, 4, AND 5 YEARS

ALL TOYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Preschoolers prefer toys with realistic detail
and working parts.

Increasing interest in dramatic and pretend
play, by age 5, peak period for dramatic
play, with all sorts of props.

Period of peak interest in puppet play.

Increasing construction activity, often with
plan or goal.

Period of peak interest in play scenes, small
figures and cars.

Most children m thts age group can begin
using loys with smaller components {1
child 1s sull mouthing objects select toys
without small parts.

Push and Pull Toys
* small wagons.
¢ small wheelbarrow.
* push toys resembling adult tools —
jawnmowers, vacuum, shopping cart.
© doll carriages and strollers.

from age 5
© full-size wagons, scooters.

Ride-On Toys
* tricycles sized to child.
* 3- and 4-wheel pedal toys.
* vehicles with steering mechanisms.
© prefer realistic, detailed vehicles.
© full-size rocking horse.

from age 4
* low-slung tricycles.
* battery-operated ride-ons.

from age 5
* small bicycle with training wheels and
footbrakes, sized to child.
* bicycle helmet.

Outdoor and Gym Euipment

* adult supervision recommended for
gym equipment.
stauonary outdoor climbing equipment.
slides (with siderails) and ladders.
swings with curved, soft seats.
balance board.

eeee

Construction Toys
® solid wood unit blocks — large and
small.
© large hollow blocks.
* most types of interlocking building sys-
tems, pieces of all sizes (plasuc rather

than metal pieces).
© no motorized parts.

prefer sets that make realistic models.
can connect pieces in specific order to
create simple models.

Puzzles

© fit-in or framed puzzles age 3, up to
20 pieces age 4, 20-30 pieces age 5,
up to 50 pieces.
large, simple jigsaw puzzles (10-25
pieces),
* number or letter puzzles, puzzle clocks
cardboard puzzles.

.

Pattern-Making Toys

© bead stringing - longer, thinner string
with suff up), large beads. (If child 1s
sult mouthing obyects, any obyect that
appears to fit easily in the child’s mouth
should be kept away from the child.)

© peg board with small pegs.

* color cubes/color forms.

* magnetic boards with shapes.



TOYS FOR OLDER TODDLERS—2 YEAR OLDS (Cont'd)

ALL TOYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Toys should meet safety regulations for age

sturdy, unbreakable, not fikely to break
into small pieces and strong enough for
child to stand on or in.

* nontoxic materials.
* no sharp 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.

Sports Equipment

© sleds sized to child (shorter length than

child's height).

* spinning seat. .
pool toys (tubes, mats) wrth adult su-
pervision.
balls of all sizes, but especially large
balls (All balis given to this age group
should be at least 1-3/4 inches (44 mm)
tn diameter, however, 1f any object
appears to fit easily in the child's mouth,
keep it away from the child.)

number/counting boards with large pegs.
shape sorters with common shapes.
pounding/hammering toys.

smelling jars.

feel bag or box.

color/picture dominoes.

simple lotto matching games based on
color, pictures.

Dressing, Lacing, Stringing Toys

© large colored beads. (All beads given to
this age group should be at least 1-3/4
inches (44 mm) in diameter, however, if
any object appears to fit easily in the
child’s mouth, keep it away from the
child.)

* lacing card or wooden shoe for lacing.

© dressing books and dolls.

* frames, cubes for facing, buttoning,
snapping, hooking.

Sand and Water Play Toys (with Adult
Supervision)
¢ bathtub activity centers.
© nesting tub toys.
© tub toys with removable figures, acces-
sories.
linking tub toys.
© smail boats (no meta parts).
© small and large sandbox tools (with
blunt edges).
water/sand mills
sprinklers



vo

‘OR YOUNG TODDLERS—1 YEAR OLDS

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY

CREATIVE PLAY
(arts, crafts, music)

LEARNING PLAY

Dolls
* soft-bodied or all-rubber baby dolls.

* simple dolls with no hair moving eyes,

or movable fimbs.

dolls to fit easily in child's arms, or
small dolls (5-6 inches).

* simple accessories for caretaking—
bottle, blanket.

simple doll clothes, need not be
detachable.

from around 1%
* large peg people.

Stuffed Toys
* very soft lightweight easy to hold.
* slender limbs on toys for easy grasp.

* for safety reasons no whiskers buttons
bow bells.

Puppets
© puppets operated by adult.

from around 1%

© smal! hand puppets sized to fit child's
hand.
soft, plush puppets that double as
stuffed toys.

.

Role-Play Materials
* toy telephone, full-length mirror.
© simple housekeeping equipment.
© simple doll equipment—catrtage bed.

Musical Instruments
© rhythm instruments operated by shaking
— enclosed bells rattles.

from around 1%
© rhythm instruments, operated by banging
— cymbals, drums, xylophones,

Art and Craft Materials
* large crayons.
* sturdy, large-size paper.

Games
not suited to age group

Specific Skil! Development Toys
not suited to age group

16



TOYS FOR YOUNG INFAN

0 TO 6 MONTHS

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY

CREATIVE PLAY
(arts crafts, music)

LEARNING PLAY

Dolls
* soft baby dolls, soft-bodied dolls, or
rag dolls—all with molded (not loose)
hair.

Stuffed Toys
© small plush animals.
© music box animals (operated and moni-
tored for safety by adults).
© grab-on soft toys.

Puppets
* soft hand puppets (held and moved by
adults).

Role-Play Materials
© murrors (large, unbreakable) fastened to
erib, playpen or wall (peak interest im
murrors 4-6 months).

Play Scenes (Including Small Figures)
not sutted to age group

Transportation Toys
not suited to age group

Projectile Toys
not sutted to age group

Musical Instruments
not suited to age group

Art and Craft Materials
not suited to age group

Audio-Visual Equipment (Adult Operated)
* records tapes or CDs (gentle reguiar
rhythms lullabies).
© music boxes,

Games
not suited to age group

Specific Skill Development Toys
not suited to age group

Books
may enjoy listening to a story being read.



TOYS FOR YOUNG PRESCHOOLERS—3, 4, AND 5 YEARS (Cont'd)

MAKE-BELIEVE PEAY

CREATIVE PLAY
(arts, crafts, music)

LEARNING PLAY

© inilitary costumes and props.

© specialized doll equipment.

* cash register, equipment to play store.
© play stages large nyrror.

Play Scenes

* scenes with a variety of realistic acces-
sories and working parts.

* favorite themes - garage, farm, airport,
space fort.

* action/adventure sets, action figures.

© first doll house - simple, few rooms,
easy access, space to move objects
around, sturdy furnishings.

from age 5
* can manipulate very small pieces, atten-
tion to realistic detail.

Transportation Toys

* toy cars of all sizes — small metal cars,
trucks with very realistic detail.
large-scale trucks, road machinery that
teally works (dumps, digs).
* action/adventure vehicle sets.
© small, realistic trains.

jrom age 5

small trains with tracks, can work most
train coupling systems, can plan, build
simple track layouts, wind-up and spring-
driven cary,

Projectile Toys—none before age 4
© soft, flexible projectiles.
* action figures with proyectile weapons.

from age 5
* guns shooting ping-pong or foam balls
sott darts,

Audio-Visual Equipment
© hand-ctanked music boxes.
* parent operated record tape and CD

player.
from age 4

* record and tape players for child to
operate.
© simple video games.

fiom age S
© radio.

from age 5

* science materials - magnets, flashlight,
shells and rocks, magnifying glass.
stethoscope, prism, aquarium, terrarium,
clock.

printing set.

loy typewriter or compuler,

sumple calculator.

computer programs to teach simple
programming.

Books

ag

© picture books, simple stories, rhymes.

* complex pop-up books,

* like complex illustrations with an abun-
dance of detail.

3 interests
here-and-now stories.
animal stories,
alphabet books.
words and rhymes.

ny

eoee

age 4 interests

wild stortes, silly humor.
* information books.
famtliar places, people.

°

age 5 interests

realistic stories.

poetry.

primers.

animals who behave Iske people.

eeoe

28



Where to Find Toys Suitable For Your Child:

If your child 1s an infant age 6 months or younger,
gO to page 6,

If your child 1s an infant between 7 and [2
months, go to page 9.

© If your child is a | year old, go to page 13.
¢ [f your child ts a 2 year old, go to page 19.

If your child 1s a preschooler age 3, 4 or 5 years.
go to page 24.

ABILITIES AND INTERESTS
Young Infants 0 to 6 Months

PHYSICAL

visual focus matures—follows objects with eyes.
learns to localize sounds and turns to see.

gains control of hands—learns to bat, then
reach and grasp objects.

discovers feet—brings feet to mouth and ex-
plores with feet.

begins to sit with support.

large muscle play may include rolling. scoot-
ing, rocking, bouncing.

MENTAL

explores world with eyes and ears and begins
to explore with hands and feet and mouth.
enjoys creating effects in the environment by
own acuons,

begins to recognize familiar people objects
and events— then to anticipate them.

becomes aware of novelty and strangeness in

people, objects and events.

¢ develops definite preferences for certain peo-
ple, objects and events.

© may imitate simple movements if in own
repertoire.

© does one thing at a time.

SOCIAL

* special interest in people (faces and voices es-
pecially).

* begins to smile at faces, voices and mirror
image.

* quits crying when sees face or hears voice.

© begins to seek attention and contact with
people.

¢ distinguishes among familiar people and has
preferences.

© begins to coo and gurgle, babble and laugh
aloud, play with sounds.

© listens to voices and may imitate sounds al-
ready 1n own repertoire.


they be temoved from the crib when babres can

push up on hands and kaces (lo prevent stranghing)

© Makes squeeze toys and teethers large enough
hot to become lodged in an infants thisat

© Assures that the fid of a toy chest will stay open
In-any posstton to which it ts tatsed and not fall
unexpectedly on a child.

© Limits suing length on crib and play pen toys to
reduce the nsk of sGangulations

What a Parent Can Do:

Reduce Choking Risk

e Look for and read age and safety tabels Any tay
that 18 age labeled for children three years and
older should be kept away from children under
the age of three — such toys may have smail
parts and could cause choking 1f placed in the
“mouth.

¢ Keep uninfiated balloons and broken balloon
pieces away from children.

¢ Rounded and oval objects (e g , balls, marbles
etc ) that fit easily tnto a child's mouth may be
difficult to remove trom a throat and could cause
choking.

Reduce Strangulation Risk

* Crib toys with stings, cords, ribbons, etc (used

to hang loys across acuib or to the side of a cuib)y
presenta strangulation risk when babies are pust
Starting to push up on hands and kaces, usually
about S months of age REMOVE ALL CRIB
fOYS WHICH ARE SPRUNG ACROSS
CRIB OR PLAYPEN AREA WHEN BABIES
BEGIN TO PUSH UP ON HANDS AND
KNEES OR ARE 5 MONTHS OF AGE,
WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.

General Toy Safety

¢ Keep toys intended for older children away from
younger children — such toys may injure young
children.

e Check all toys pertodically for breakage and poten-
thal hazards — damaged or dangerous toys should
be repaired o1 thrown away immediately.

* Store toys safely — teach children to put toys away
so they are not tripping hazards, check toy boxes
and shelves for safety.

For further information write to the:

US Consumer Product Safety Comnussion
Washington, DC 20207

Or call the toll-free hotline:

To report a toy related complaint, call the toll-
free hotline:

1-800-638-CPSC


TOYS FOR YOUNG TODDLERS—1 YEAR OLDS (Cont’d)

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY

CREATIVE PLAY
(arts, crafts, music)

LEARNING PLAY

from around 1%
* simple dress-ups—hats scarves, ties
shoes jewelry.
¢ role-play toys that can be pushed &
make noise—mower vacuum.
© child-sized equipment—oven fridge.
sink table and chairs,

Play Scenes

(All hgures should be at least 1-3/4 inches
(44 mm) in diameter however if any object
appears to Al easily in the child s mouth
keep it away from the child )

before 14
* child may enjoy handling, carrying
around figures.
fiom around 1
© famihar, realistic scenes — tarm, atr-
port, garage — not overly detailed pieces
(4-6 pieces).
* preter scenes with moving parts or that
make noise.

Transportation Toys

© lightweight vehicles ot a size for easy
handling (not too small) and with secure
wheels.

© push or pull cars and trains.

© vehicles that make nome,

© first train~ 1-2 cars no tracks simple
or no coupling system,

Audio-Visual Equipment
operated by adult
© tapes, records or CDs of nursery rhymes
and rhythms,
© hand-cranked music box, worked by

child if crank 1s large and easy to turn,

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%
* touch-me or tactile books.



TOYS FOR YOUNG INFANTS—0 TO 6 MONTHS (Cont’d)

ALL TOYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Toys for watching are more appealing if
they move and make notse (but movement
should be slow and noise not too loud or
sudden).

Infants enjoy variety.

Infants enjoy producing effects on toys by
their own activity.

Toys tor holding should be light and easy to
grasp.

Mouthable toys should have all safety fea-
tures recommended tor intants

* no sharp pomts or edges

* no small parts to be lodged in throat,
ears, nose.

no electrical parts.

nontoxic materials.

no glass or brittle plastic.

no parts (o entrap fingers, toes, hands.
no long strings.

Sports Equipment
from about 6-8 weeks
© clutch balls.
© texture balls.
© soft squeeze balls.

(AIL balls given to this age group should be at
least 1-3/4 inches (44 mm) in diameter,
however If any object appears to fit easily in
the child 5 mouth keep it away from the
child )

Dressing, Lacing, Stringing Toys
not suited to age group

Sand and Water Play Toys
not sutted to age group



TOYS FOR OLDER TODDLERS—2 YEAR OLDS (Cont'd)

MAKE-—-BELIEVE PLAY

CREATIVE PLAY
(arts, crafts, music)

LEARNING PLAY

Role-Play Materials

© dress-ups and costumes.

® equipment should be realistic-looking.

© child-sized equipment — stove, cooking
board, refrigerator.

© doit equipment.

all housekeeping equipment — cleaning
sets, pots and pans, bath and laundry.

© toys that can be pushed — vacuum,
lawnmower, shopping cart.

© full-length mirror.

Play Scenes

© familiar, realistic-looking scenes —
farm, garage, airport.
scenes with multiple pieces but not
highly detailed.
preference for moving parts, parts that
make noise. ,
* interior of scenes easily accessible.
vehicle sets with figures,

Transportation Toys
© small, realistic cars (not metal).
® vehicles with moving parts.
 farge trucks (metal too heavy) -- mov-
ing parts, parts operated by large lever
(with knob on end).
© cars, trucks with removable figures,
accessories,
smai] trains with simple coupling
mechanism — no tracks.

Proyectile Toys
not suited to age group

Audio-Visual Equipment
© operated by adult, tapes, records, CDs.
* hand-cranked music box if crank 1s
large and easy to turn,

Books

sturdy books with heavy paper, card-
board pages.

short simple stories with repetition and
familiar subjects.

simple pictures with clear color, few
details.

pop-up books,

hidden picture books.

dressing books.



mer’s Guide for Selecting
su suitable Toys

AGES
BIRTH
THROUGH
FIVE

Pub. No. 285



ALL ‘TOYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Infants 7-9 months interested in longer and
more extensive exploration of toys Infants

of this age lke to
* bang

insert

poke

twist

squeeze

drop

shake

bite

throw

open and shut
empty and fill

Ce

Infants 10-12 months show beginnung in-

terest in object mastery and like many ob-

Jects to explore Infants of this age like
* stacking.

* puting in and taking out.

* pouring out.

® fitting one object into another.

* opening and closing,

© pressing levers.

* turning things (not unscrewing yet).
© pushing balls and cars.

Push and Pull Toys
push toys without rods (simple cars,
animals on wheels or rollers).

Ride-On Toys
not suited to age group

Outdvor or Gym Equipment
infant swings (with adult supervision).
soft low climbing platform for crawlers.

Construction Toys
soft blocks.

rubber blocks.
rounded wood blocks.

Puzzles
from about 10 months
brightly colored, lightweight crib and
playpen puzzles (2-3 pieces).

Pattern-Making Toys
not suited to age group

Manipulative Toys

teethers.

light sturdy cloth toys.

toys on suctton cups.

smal}, hand-held manipulables.
disks/keys on rings.
squeeze-squeak toys.

roly-poly toys.

activity boxes and cubes.
pop-up boxes (easy operation).
containers with object to empty and fill,



ABILITIES AND INTERESTS
Older Infants 7 to 12 Months

PHYSICAL

* begins to sit alone.

© begins to creep and crawl onto or into things.

© begins to pull to a stand, cruise (walk hold-
ing furniture), and walk alone (10-16 months).

© interest in moving about and practicing
motor skills,

¢ develops ‘‘pincer’’ (thumb and finger) grasp
and begins to hold objects with one hand
while manipulating them with the other.

© with objects wants to bang, insert, poke,
twist, squeeze, drop, shake, bite, throw,
open/shut, push/pull, empty/fill, drag along.

© enjoys bath play—kicking and splashing.

MENTAL

® interest in appearing and disappearing (ob-
jects and people)—develops ‘‘obyect perma-
nence’’ (looks for object out of sight at
approximately |! months).

© interest in container/contained relationship—
likes to empty cupboards, drawers, and con-
tainers of objects.

9

interest in letting go and dropping objects
(will use string to pull back vanished
objects).

interest in exploration and likes many objects
to explore.

likes to operate simple mechanisms
(open/shut, push/pull) and create effects.
remembers people, objects, games, actions
with toys—shows persistence and interest in
novelty.

beginning interest im picture books.

SOCIAL

may fear strangers or react to
change—plays best with familiar person
nearby.

watches and may imitate others.

® sensitive to social approval and disapproval.
®* interest in getting attention and creating

social effects.

enjoys simple social games ‘‘peek-a-boo,”’
“*bye-byeTM:

babbles and plays with language—may try to
imitate sounds.

recognizes own name and may begin to point
to named objects or obey simple commands.


For further information, write

US. Consumer Product Safety
Commission

Washington, D.C. 20207

To repoit a product hazard or a product-related wyury,
write to the U S Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Washington, D C 20207, or call the toll-fiee hotline
1-800-638-2772 A teletypewnter for the hearing and
speaking impaired ts available on 1-800-638-8270

This documentis in the public domain Therefore, it may be
reproduced, i part or in whole, without permission by an
individual or organization However, if it \s reproduced, the
Commission would appreciate knowing how it is used

Write the US Consume Product Safety Commission, Office
of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, D C 20207

009409



TOYS FOR YOUNC

ALL LOYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Toys for this age are primarily for looking
listening sucking or fingering,

Infants 0-2 months enjoy seeing and hearing
Interesting things.

Infants 2 6 months show growing interest in
touching holding, batung turning, shak-

ing kicking mouthing and tasting objects.

Intants lke to see
© bright primary colors.
© high contrast.
© simple designs.
¢ clear lines and features.
© human face features (esp eyes).
* bull s eye pattern.

Infants enjoy watching hanging objects or
‘mobiles’ that move by wind, wind-up
action, or infant's own activity.

Toys for watching should be suspended only
8-14 inches (200-360 mm) trom the
infant's eyes and angled toward his/her
eyes, then moved up out of reach when
he/she can touch them.

Push and Pull Povs
not suited to age group

Ride-On Toys
not sutted to age group

Outdoor or Gym Equipment

infant swings (with adult supervision).

Construction Toys
from about 4 months
* soft blocks.

Puzzles
not Suited to age group

Pattern Making Toys
not sited to age group

Manipulative Toys
from about 6-8 weeks
© simple rattles.
teethers,
light, sturdy cloth toys.
squeeze toys.
toys suspended above or to the side of
infant for batting and grasping.

eoeee

from about 4 months

* disks, keys on ring.

¢ interlocking plastic rings.

© small hand-held manipulables.

© toys on suction cups.

¢ crib gyms (children who can push up on
hands and knees can strangle on crib
gyms — be sure to remove crib gym.
from crib or playpen at (his time).



TOYS FOR OLDER TODDI

ERS—2 YEAR OL

ALL LOYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULA'ILVE PLAY

Beginning of Cooperative social play.

Increasing interest in pretend play.

Love of physical active play,

Child prefers action toys, toys that produce
movement or sounds by child’s own
efforts,

More realism preferred
© begins to pay attention to qualities of

objects
© prefers loys with working parts.

Toys should be lightweight enough for easy
lifting, carrying.

Bright colors preferred.

Push and Pull Toys

* pull toys with strings.

* doll carriages.

* wagons,

© sinall, light wheelbarrow.

* interest in push toys that look like adult
cquipment—lawnmower, vacuum, shop-
ping cart.

Ride: On Toys
interest in realistic-looking ride-ons—
tractors, motorcycles,
© ride-ons with storage trays or bins.
ride-ons propelled by bouncing up and
down.
when children begin to pedal (around
2 1/2--3) small tncycle.

Outdoor and Gym Equipment

© all gym equipment needs adult super-

vision.

tunnels.

climbing structures and slides.

Stationary rather than moving outdoor

equipment.

© swings with curved, soft seats and
restraining straps.

Construction Toys

© solid, wooden unit blocks.

© large, hollow building blocks (card-
board, wood, plastic).

© large plastic bricks (2-4 inches or
50-100 mm) to be pressed together.

© plastic interlocking rings. large plastic
nuts and bolts.

Puzzles
* fit-in puzzle
* 210 2% years, 4-5 pieces.
© 2% to 3 years, 6-12 pieces.
* puzzles with knobs easier (knobs should
be firmly attached).

Pattern-Making Toys
* peg boards with large pegs.
* color cubes.
© magnetic boards with shapes, animals,
people.
* color forms (from around 2%),

Manipulative Toys
* fit-together toys of 5-10 pieces.
* nesting toys with multiple pieces, in-
cluding barrel toys that require screw-
ing motion,

20



TOYS FOR PRESCILOOLERS—3, 4, AND §

YEARS (Cont’d)

ALL 1OYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Toys should be sturdy
* not likely to broak casily into smatl
pieces of Icave jagged edges.
© no sharp points or edges.
* not made of glass or brittle plastic.

Toys should be of nontoxic materials.

Toys should have no electrical parts unless
supervised by adult.

from age 4
* equipment with movable parts small
seesaws, hanging rigs.
© swings with flat seals plastic or rubber
belts.
rope ladders and ropes.
© gym sets with enclosures for pretend
house or fort.

Sports Equipment
® balls of all shapes, sizes (If child 1s still
mouthing objects, any object that

appears to fit easily in the child's mouth,

keep it away from the child.)

© double-blade ice skates.
© sleds size-graded (no handbrakes or
steering mechanisms).

from age 4
© lightweight soft baseball and bat

© juntor-sized soccer ball football.

* speed-graded roller skates (plastic
wheels, no ball bearings for reduced
speed).

© kites.

¢ wading pool.

fiom age 5

© jump ropes.

© skis (sized to child).

© flying disks (especially lightweight

ones).

© flut nosed magnetic or Velcro darts.
inner tubes, kickboards, mattresses for
beginning swimmers (adult supervision
needed).

from age 4

beginning interest in design materials —
mosarc blocks, felt boards, can follow,
copy simple sequence.

fiom age 5

simple weaving (looper & heddle loom)
small beads to string (@ in ), block print-
ing equipment.

Manipulative Toys

* matching toys by color, shape, or pic-
lure from age 4 by concept, letters
(ABC), numbers (1-10).

sorting toys, mumber rods.

number boards with smaller pegs.
simple counting toys, lock boxes.
nesting toys with muluple pieces and
screw closing.

from age 4
geometrical concept toys.

from age 5

simple models of mechanical devices or
natural objects, more complex lotto match-
ing toys.

Dressmg, Lacing Stringing Toys
frames/cards to button, hook, tie.

from age §
simple sewing kits with thick cloth & blunt.
needle (with supervision).

Sand and Water Play Toys
© large and small sandbox tools, bubbles
* wind-up bath toys, bath activity centers.

from age 4
© sand molds water pump.
© realistic working models of boats
(no sharp metal parts).

26



ABILITIES AND INTERESTS sccuons list
physical, mental and social abilities and interests
for each age that are particularly relevant to select-
ing appropriate toys Note that these lists indicate
average development—the age range at which the
“taverage’’ child can be expected to achieve a par-
ucular skill or develop a specific interest. The ages
in the text are only approximate Children develop
skills at uneven rates—any one child may be
“above average’’ in one skill and ‘‘below average’’
in another skill For an individual child, the parent
1s the best judge of the child’s abilities and interests
at any point in his or her development, and should
select toys suitable for that child’s profile of capa-
bilities.
major categories with subcategories under each to
help in finding a particular toy type The major
categories and subcategories are listed on the fol-
lowing page Note that these sections do not consti-
tute a comprehensive list of all toy products that
might be suitable for a particular age They do sug-
gest general toy types suitable for that age group
This booklet does not judge the play value or bene-
fits of specific toys. For example, suitable types of
projectile toys are described in the TOY LISTS,
although the potential safety hazards of these toys
lead many 1n the field to recommend against them.

ALL TOYS (a genera! category orienting the con-
sumer to special features of toys that are relevant
to the particular age group).

ACTIVE PLAY
Push and Pull Toys
Ride-On Toys
Outdoor and Gym Equipment
Sports Equipment

MANIPULATIVE PLAY
Construction Toys
Puzzles
Pattern-Making Toys
Manipulative Toys
Dressing, Lacing and Stringing Toys
Sand and Water Play Toys

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY
Dolls
Stuffed Toys
Puppets
Role Play Materials
Play Scenes
Transportation Toys
Projectile Toys

CREATIVE PLAY
Musical Instruments
Art and Craft Materials
Audio-Visual Equipment

LEARNING PLAY
Games
Specific Skill Development Toys
Books


ABILITIES AND INTERESTS
Young Toddlers (1 Year Olds)

PHYSICAL

endless exercise of physical skills.

likes to lug, dump, push, pull, pile, knock
down, empty and fill.

likes to climb—can manage small indoor
steps.

manipulation is more exploratory than
skillful.

active interest in multiple small objects.
by 2 years, can kick, catch a large ball.
by 2 years, can string large beads, turn
knob, use screw motion. (All beads given
to this age group should be at least 1-3/4
inches (44 mm) in diameter, however, if
any object appears to fif easily in the child's
mouth, keep it away from the child.)

MENTAL
* interest in causing effects.
® interest in mechanisms and objects that move

or can be moved—prefers action toys.

* combines objects with other objects—makes

simple block structures, uses simple stacking
toys, does simple puzzles.

13

very curious—constant experimentation with
objects.

interest in hidden-object toys,

at 1% to 2 years, groups/matches similar
objects—enjoys simple sorting toys.
identifies objects by pointing—can identify
pictures in book.

© enjoys water, sand play.
© makes marks on paper, scribbles spon-

taneously.
first imitative play—imitation of adult tasks,
especially caretaking and housekeeping tasks.

SOCIAL

most solitary play-—relates to adults better
than to children.

© tries to do adult tasks.
© expresses affection for others—shows prefer-

ence for certain soft toys, dolls.

likes being read to, looking at picture books,
likes nursery rhymes.

by 1%, enjoys interactive games such as tag.


TOYS FOR YOUNG TODDLERS—1 YEAR OLDS (Cont’d)

ALL TOYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Toys should meet satety regulations for age

sturdy, unbreakable, not hkely to break
into small pieces and sfrong enough tor
child to stand on or in.

nontoxic materials,

no sharp points or edges.

* too large to be lodged in windpipe,

ee

.

.

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.

Outdoor and Gym Equipment

* all gym equipment needs adult super-
vision.

¢ low, soft climbing platforms.

* tunnels for crawling,

e swings (pushed by adult) — seats curved
or body-shaped of energy-absorbing
material with restraining strap.

from about 1%

* simple low climbing structures.

© low slides with handrails.

¢ outdoor play equipment with stationary
rather than moving parts,

Sports Equipment

soft hight weight balls, especially with
interesting visual effects, noises,
unpredictable movement.

chime ball, flutter ball.

large balls (easier for child to maneuver)

(ALL balls given to this age group should be al
least 1-3/4 inches (44 mm) in diameter
however if any object appears to ht easily in
the child s mouth keep it away fram the
child )

from around 1%

© fit-together toys of about 5 preces

* activity boxes with more complex ac-
tion mechantsms—turning knob or dial,
turning simple key.
pounding/hammering toys.

nesting toys—square or other shapes,
stacking toys of 4-5 pieces.

sumple matching toys.

simple number/counting boards (1-5)
with large pegs.

simple tock boxes & lock/key toys.
jack-in-the-box toys (adult supervision
if toys spring back quickly).

toys with screwing action (child can
usually manage only | turn).

° eoeeeve

Dressing, Lacing, Stringing Toys
* large colored beads (fewer than 10)
(AIL balls given to this age group should be at
least 1-3/4 inches (44 mm) tn diameter
however, if any object appears to fit easily in
the child 5 mouth keep it away from the
child.)

from around 14
© lacing cubes or board with thick blunt
spindle.

Sand and Water Play Toys
* simple floating toys—I or 2 pieces
easy to grasp in one hand
© sponges small shovel and pail.

from around 1%
© nesting (ub toys
© bathtub activily centers
© funnels Colanders.
* inal sandbox fools (rake should have
blunt tech)

1S



PY is a natural activity for every young child
Play provides many opportunities for children
to learn and grow—physically, mentally and
socially If play 1s the child’s work then toys are
the child’s tools, and appropriate toys can help
children do their work well.

Young children explore objects in their envi-
ronment by “mouthing” them. Children can choke
to death on such items. These items include toys
(such as balloons and small balls), and household
and food items (such as hot dogs, peanuts, pop-
corn, coins, batteries, etc.). Although toys intend-
ed for young children should be free of small parts
that could cause a choking incident, toys intended
for older children may find their way into the
hands of younger children. Reminder: Be sure
to keep ALL small items out of the hands of
children who mouth objects, especially children
under the age of three. Remind three and four
year olds to Keep such items out of their
mouths. Instruct older children to keep these
items out of reach of younger children.

This booklet offers suggestions for selecting
suitable toys for children birth to 5 years of age.
It was prepared by the US Consumer Product
Safety Commission, the government agency that 1s
charged with protecting the public against
unreasonable risks of injury associated with
consumer products.

parent or friend choosing a toy for a child
must consider several things A good toy
should be

© safe for that child’s age, well constructed, and
durable;

© appealing and interesting to the child;
® suited to the child’s physical capabilities, and

¢ suited to the child's mental and social
development.

This booklet provides some guidelines to help in
selecting toys that meet these criteria, The sugges-
tions in this booklet are based on three sources

(1) review of reference works on child develop
ment, (2) observations of children at play, and
(3) product analyses of toys to determine which
characteristics are most critical in defining the
appropriate ages of the intended users.

his booklet 1s organized 1n the following way

Brief outlines of childrens’ ABILITIES AND
INTERESTS are followed by categorized TOY
LISTS for each of five age groups.

The five age groups are

Young infants (birth to 6 months)
Older infants (7 to 12 months)
Young toddlers (1 year olds)
Older toddlers (2 year olds)
Preschoolers (ages 3, 4 and 5)


Preschoolers 3.4 and 5 Yeats

PHYSICAL

* runs, jumps, climbs, balances with assurance
— by 5, gross motor skills are well de-
veloped.

¢ likes risks, tests of physical strength and
skill - loves acrobatics and outdoor
equipment.

* increasing finger control — can pick up small
objects, cut on a line with scissors, hold pencil in
adult grasp, string small beads (Most children in
this age gioup can begin using toys with smaller
components If child ts still mouthing objects,
select toys without small parts.)

© expert builder — loves small construction
materials and also vigorous activity with big
blocks, large construction materials.

© by 5, rudimentary interest in ball games with
simple rules and scoring.

MENTAL

¢ familiar with common shapes, primary colors.

* interest in simple number activities, alphabet
play, copying letters, matching/sorting.

* by 5, sorts and matches using more than one
quality at a time.

24

atound 4, begins to be purposeful and goal-
duected, fo make use of a plan.

Interest in producing designs, including puz-
zies, and in constructing play worlds.

first representational pictures.

¢ prefers realism.
© interest in nature, science, animals, ume,

how things work.
peak interest in dramatic play — recreates
adult occupations, uses costumes and props.

SOCIAL

beginning to share and take turns, learning
concept of fair play.

by 5, play 1s cooperative, practical, con-
forming.

interested in group pretend play.

not ready for competitive play because hates
to lose.

enjoys simple board games based on chance,
not strategy.

more sex differentiation in play roles, in-
terests. ;
enjoys looking at books and listening to stories
from books.


Developed under Contract CPSC-C-85-1089 by D1 Barbara Goodson, Developmental
Psychologist, Abt Associates, Inc , Cambridge, Massachussetts, and Di Mattha Bronson,
Educational Psychologist, Cambridge, Massachussetts


TOYS FOR YOUNG PRESCHOOLERS—3, 4, AND 5 YEARS

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY

CREATIVE PLAY
(arts, crafts, music)

LEARNING PLAY

Dolls
© realistic dolls with detait and accesso-
nes, especially baby dolls.
¢ dolls with hair, moving eyes. movable
limbs, special features.

from age 5
¢ child-proportioned dotls (can dress dolls
Wf garments and fastenings are simple).
© paper dolls to be punched out.

Stuffed Toys

* stuffed toys with accessories — rib-
bons bells, simple clothes.
realistic-looking toys replicas of fa-
mous characters.
© music box toys.

from age 5
colfecting toys in sets.

Puppets
* simple sock or mitten puppets.
© finger puppets.
* simple puppet theater (no scenery)

fiom age 5
hand-and-arm puppets.

more detailed puppets. puppets with limbs.

Role-Play Materials
© dress-ups costumes of all types.
* realistic detailed cquipment —- by 5
want it to really work.
* housekeeping and cooking equipment.
* toy telephone toy camera doctor kits,

Musical Instruments
© all rhythm instruments.
© xylophones,

© instruments that require blowing — har-

monica. horns, whistles, simple
recorder.

¢ wind-up music boxes.

© plano — one-tinger tunes.

Art and Craft Materials
fromage 3
© large crayons with many colors.
color paddles.
magic markers.
finger and tempera pant.
adjustable easel.
brushes of various sizes.

chalkboards and chalk of various sizes.
scissors with rounded ends.
paste and glue.
simple block printing equipment.
pop-1t beads.
large beads (o string.
simple sewing hits (without needles)
until age 5.
from age 4
* increased interest in art products also
can copy order.
* workbench hammer nails and saw
(with supervision).
from age 5
© smaller crayons coloring books water-
color paints simple weaving Joom
small beads to string sewing kits with
Jarge bluat needles.

eoeoeereeree ero ve

clay including modeling clay and tools.

© pool toys (tubes, mats) with adult
supervision.

Games
¢ dominoes (color or number).
* simple matching and lotto games based
on color, pictures.
© simple card games.
© bingo (picture).

from age 4

* first board games, based completely on
chance—games should have tew rules,
simple scoring, no reading required be-
yond ABC, only a few pieces.

* games requiring simple fine-motor
coordination (picking up or balancing
objects).

Specific Skills Development Toys
simple electronic and other teaching toys
for
© matching/sorting.
© shapes colors,
* numbers and letters.

from age 4
¢ simple computer programs for teaching
color matching, letters classification
numbers, sounds.
* simple science models.

27



TOYS FOR YOUNG INFANTS—7 TO 12 MONTHS (Cont’d)

ALL TOYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Generally, infants in this age range are in-
terested in
* operating simple mechanisms.
* containers and the container/con-
tained relationship.
© appearing and disappearing objects.

As at earlier ages infants enjoy producing
effects by their own actions,

Toys for infants

* safe for mouthing.
non-toxic materials.
no sharp points or edges.
nonbreakable, no glass or brittle plastic.
no small parts (0 be lodged in throat,
ears, nose,
no parts to entrap fingers toes, hand.
no long strings.

eevee

Sports Equipment
transparent balls
chime bails

flutter balls

action balls

{Al} balls given to this age group should be at
feast 1-3/4 inches (44 mm) in diameter,
however if any obyect appears to fit easily in
the child's mouth, keep it away from the
child.)

large rubber or plastic pop beads.

simple nesting cups.

stacking ring cones (few rings and safe
suck),

graspable (unbreakable) mirror toys which
can be held and played with.

loses interest mn 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 of age).

Dressing, Lacing, Stringing Toys
not suited to age group

Sand and Water Play Toys
activity boxes for bath.
simple floating toys.



TOYS FOR YOUNG 'TODDLERS—1 YEAR OLD:

ALL 1OYS

ACTIVE PLAY

MANIPULAIIVE PLAY

Childsen preter action toys, loys that
produce movement or sounds by chid s
own cfforts
© toys need not be highly detailed but
should be realistic looking.

© toys should be lightweight for easy lift-
ing Carrying

* bright colors preferred.

In play child always on the move —large
muscle activites such as running, climbing
dominate over small muscle activities such
as exploring objccts constructing.

Child beginning to combine put together
obyects.

Beginning of imitative play.

Push and Pull Toys

© push toys with rods (rods with large
handles on ends),

* toys fo push on fluor—simple sturdy
with large wheels.

© special noise and action effects.

© for steady walkers pull toys on strings
(broad-based to tp less easily),

from about 1%

e 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-ony propelled by pushing with
feet—no pedals
stable 11de-ons—4 or more wheels
wheels spaced wide apart child ¢ feet
flat on floor when seated.
ride-ons with storage bins.
ride-ons that make notse, look like
animals

Construction Toys
© small lightweight stacking blocks (15-25
pieces),

before 1% most interlocking mechanisms
ate too difficult

fiom around 1%
© solid wooden umt blocks (20-40).
* large hollow building blocks.
© large plastic bucks (2-4 inches ar
50-100 mm) to press together,

Puzzles
© simple pre-puzzles or torm boards —

2-3 pieces each piece a famsliar shape.

from around 1%
3-5 piece puzzles with knobs easier to use
(knobs firmly attached),

Pattern-Making Toys
peg board with a few large pegs.

Mampulative Toys
* activity boxes attached to crib or play-
pen or freestanding—simple action
mechamsms (doors, lids, switches),
hidden object toys.
sumple 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.