Choosing Educational And Safe Traditional Toys

A wide selection of age appropriate traditional toys are essential to a child's learning throughout all stages of development. Choosing traditional toys that provide your child with educational benefits and learning values is important, but choosing traditional toys that are safe for your child is even more important.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of children are seen at emergency rooms and hospitals around the world because of toy related injuries. A small percentage of toy related accidents are fatal. The leading cause of toy related injuries and death is choking, accounting for one third of all accidents, closely followed by falls. Nearly half of all toy related accidents happen to children under five years old, making it imperative to select quality toys that are safe.

There are a number of laws and standards in place in countries across the globe to ensure that toys meet certain levels of safety. Most traditional toys undergo a series of various tests to be certain the toy meets these safety standards. Many toys are even tested by children in the age group the toy is designed for. Experts in child development are consulted to select a recommended age group for the toy, usually based on the skill level and difficulty of use as well as safety reasons.

There are a number of guides and lists available to help parents choose the best and safest quality toys for their children and the boxes and packaging of most toys also contain information and warnings for various age levels. It is best to use your own judgment and your knowledge of your child's developmental level to decide which toys are really right for your child.

Most quality traditional toys designed for children under the age of three are free of small parts that may pose choking hazards and those for children under eight are generally designed to exclude sharp edges that may cause cuts. Safe, traditional toys should be sturdy and durable, constructed of smooth, non-toxic materials. Look for flame retardant or flame resistant fabrics and be sure any paint on the toys your child plays with is lead-free.

Infants and toddlers love to explore their toys and have a tendency to put things into their mouths. The safest quality toys or infants and toddlers are those that are too large to fit inside your little one's mouth and does not contain any small pieces that may break off and become lodged in your child's throat. Avoid toys with long cords or strings until your child is older to prevent strangulation and never give an infant or toddler a latex balloon to play with.

Preschoolers are not as likely to put their toys in their mouths, but you should still try to select good quality toys with a minimal amount of small pieces. Look for toys that are constructed of strong, durable materials and avoid toys that are thin and may break easily leaving jagged pieces.

As your child gets older, safe, traditional toys are much easier to choose. Still select traditional toys that are recommended safe for your child's age and provide plenty of safety gear for outdoor toys like bikes and skates. Throughout childhood, closely inspect your child's toys on a regular basis and throw away anything broken. Store all outdoor toys in a dry place to prevent rust and weather damage. Remember, the best quality toys for your child are safe toys.