Choosing Safe Toys
If you head to a toy store, you'll notice most children's toys are large, bright, and plastic. When your child bangs them (and he will) nothing breaks or flies off. The age-appropriateness of the toy will be indicated right on the packaging, and that is information you should take seriously. Small pieces of toys designed for older children can be dangerous to a young child.
Many parents believe they will be giving their children an intellectual head start if they buy toys that are labeled “educational,” even though there is absolutely no proof or research that shows these toys are in any way effective or useful. These products are usually expensive and often electronic.
If you have toys from an older child or from your child, make sure there are no broken parts. If they are made of wood, be sure it isn't splintered and that anything that connects parts isn't loose. Beware of your older child's Legos, dolls with little shoes, and any toys that disassemble and have small parts because of the potential danger of your child choking on these small items. A good way to test whether something is a choking hazard is to slide it through a cardboard paper towel tube. If the item fits in the tube opening, it is a potential choking hazard.
The best toys for young children are often the least complicated. They can include instruments, play-dough, chalk for the sidewalk, soft balls, blocks, and dolls.
Boxes
Many parents have joked about how they will buy their child a gift only to find the child is more interested in the box than in the actual toy. Knowing that boxes are endlessly enticing to children is good because it gives you an understanding of what appeals to one-year-olds. Similar toys include small buckets (which can often be stacked if they are of different sizes), pails and shovels, and plastic containers (just make sure the containers can't fit over their heads or in their mouths.)
Alert!
If you give your child a large box, such as the size a refrigerator comes in, make sure it can't close completely and that your child is able to get out of it. You might try cutting a hole in it, so it can be a rocket ship or house. If your child climbs into it, make sure she won't fall while she's in it.
At this age, babies like to put things in and take things out of boxes, so give her socks, balls, or spoons with a box and she'll be entertained for a while. Or, give her various boxes of different sizes, such as shoe and boot boxes. She'll make them into beds for her dolls, as well as other pretend things.
Another helpful item for children is fabric or old clothes of yours. Blankets, scarves, vests, dresses, and even just fabric scraps can become tents, pretend clothes, places to have a picnic, or the sails of boats (especially when paired with a box).
Play Phases
Use your child as a guide to what he wants to play with. If he finds your dresser drawer fascinating, give him a place in your room for clothes he can play with. If he loves the kitchen, designate a cabinet for his use in which he has pots, dishes, and utensils to use. If he always wants to splash in water, don't hesitate to let him take a bath in the middle of the day. Play phases, like food and behavior phases, have their place in a child's development. Your child will eventually grow tired of each new interest, but in the meantime these phases serve a learning purpose.
