Parenting - Prenatal to preschool/Parenting_PrenatalToPreschool.bin/dp/0021/00216.txt

Text File | 1993-06-14 | 28KB | 477 lines

$Unique_ID{PAR00216}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{6 Months to 1 Year:  Selecting Toys and Equipment}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Mendelson, Robert A
Mendelson, Lottie M
Meyerhoff, Michael K
Ames, Louise Bates}
$Subject{6 Months to 1 Year Toys Equipment exploring entertainment educational
store-bought book books hinges Hinged mechanism mechanisms household safety
nontoxic swallow manipulate sharp durable safety tube tubes high chair chairs
stroller strollers car seat seats balloon balloons busy box activity center
surprise boxes jack-in-the-box kitchen Pots pans plastic bowls cups spoons
spatulas can cans basters squeeze bottles picnic baskets bath tub physical
skills crawl crawls crawling climb climbs climbing stairs steps games
peek-a-boo hiding hide-and-seek outdoors wading pool transitional object
security independence musical instrument instruments drum keyboard xylophone
finger paints creativity PRESENT PRESENTS gift gifts ADULT PERSPECTIVE}
$Log{}

The New Parents' Question & Answer Book


6 Months to 1 Year:  Selecting Toys and Equipment


     Now that my baby has become an active explorer and investigator, won't he
need a lot of toys to keep him occupied?

     At this point, your baby will need an abundance of items to feed his
ever-growing curiosity, but he really will need very few "toys."  As long as
you've made your home as safe and accessible as possible for him, your baby
will find a wealth of material to occupy himself in the course of his daily
activities.  It probably is a good idea to have several special items around
when he has to be in a playpen or otherwise restricted for a short time.  In
general, however, making a lot of purchases won't be necessary.  As far as
your baby is concerned, few if any commercial toys will be able to compete
with the common contents of a typical household in terms of entertainment and
"educational" value.  Substituting store-bought products for these everyday
items is likely to result in disappointment for everyone involved in most
cases.


     Lately, my baby has started picking up books and turning the pages.
Should I buy special books to encourage his "prereading" skills?

     The first active interest that babies display toward books, typically at
about one year of age, has nothing to do with reading.  At this point, babies
are fascinated by simple mechanisms.  Hinged objects receive special
attention--and the binding of a book is a perfect hinge.  If you watch
closely, you'll probably notice that your baby is not concerned with what's on
the pages; rather, he's merely inclined to turn the pages back and forth.
Therefore, the best "first books" for babies are those with stiff cardboard
pages that their little fingers can manipulate easily.  You really don't have
to worry about content at all during this period.  If you want to supplement
his "book experience" at this point, it is suggested that you introduce him to
cabinet doors, lunchbox lids, and various other devices that operate on a
hinge, as this, as opposed to reading, is what your baby is focusing on for
the time being.  Of course, while your baby is not interested in reading, he
will enjoy listening to your voice as you read to him, regardless of the
content or subject of the reading material.


     What other common household items make particularly appropriate
playthings?

     The list is endless.  As long as an item is nontoxic, too large to be
swallowed, small enough to be manipulated easily, free from sharp edges or
protrusions, and durable, your baby probably will have a lot of fun with it.
Empty egg-shaped panty-hose containers, metal bandage boxes, and large thread
spools should never be discarded, as they are among the favorite toys of
babies at this point.  Newspaper and even old slippers get a lot of playtime.
Empty shoe boxes or large cardboard cartons, laundry baskets, and wastepaper
baskets are a big thrill for babies once they start crawling and climbing.  In
addition, if you don't mind and if you take proper precautions, things like
light switches, television and radio buttons, and telephone dials are totally
fascinating to curious little ones.


     With regard to my baby's toys, are the safety considerations pretty much
the same as before?

     To a large extent, they are.  You still want to be sure that no removable
piece of any item is less than an inch-and-a-quarter in any dimension, that
there are no sharp edges or points, that only nontoxic paints and materials
were used, etc.  However, you have to keep in mind that your baby's play will
be a lot more active at this point, and he will be doing a lot more with his
toys than he did previously.  Consequently, it is a good idea to check the
durability of all products very carefully and to see to it that they can
withstand all the hard banging, throwing, and dropping to which they now will
be subjected.  Also, remember that a toy that is reasonably harmless while
being handled may very well become hazardous when it is thrown.  In addition,
it is suggested that you increase your schedule of periodic inspections to be
sure that properly selected toys remain clean, unbroken, and in good working
order.


     How can I tell if a toy (or its removable parts) or household item is too
small to be safe for my baby?

     The general rule of thumb is that no item should be less than an
inch-and-a-quarter in any dimension so that it cannot be swallowed or choked
upon by your child.  Of course, it is not easy for everyone to estimate an
inch-and-a-quarter easily, and a ruler or tape measure is not always readily
available.  Several mail order catalogs and children's specialty shops now
offer "safety tubes"--plastic cylinders that can be used to test for
appropriate size.  It is recommended that you obtain one of these, but in the
meantime--or even instead--you can use the cardboard cylinder from a roll of
toilet paper or paper towels.  If an object can pass through the tube, it is
too small for your baby to play with.  Of course, even the commercial tubes
can't guarantee complete accuracy, so if it is a close call under any
circumstances, it is better to play it conservatively and keep the item away
from your baby.


     Why is "toy storage" now a safety issue?

     At this point, your baby will no longer be completely dependent upon you
to procure playthings.  He will become increasingly capable of getting things
for himself.  Consequently, it is a good idea to keep as many items as
possible easily accessible to your baby during play times.  However, when it
is time to put toys away, be sure that they are not placed in areas that could
cause problems for your curious baby.  For example, if toys are placed on
shelves, make sure that they are not only out of reach, but out of sight as
well.  When your baby sees a favorite toy, he will make every attempt to get
to it, and he may end up taking a fall or perhaps causing an avalanche of
items to come tumbling down.  Another way to handle this is to store toys on
low shelves that he can reach easily, with heavier items on the ground level
and lighter toys on the shelves above; this way, if he does go for a toy, he
won't put himself in serious danger.  If you put his toys in a toy chest or
box, see to it that it is latched securely; or, if you make the box or chest
accessible, see to it that the lid stays up when open and won't close
unexpectedly, thereby crushing little fingers or possibly even trapping your
baby inside.


     What about larger pieces of equipment, such as high chairs, strollers,
and baby seats?

     You have to remember that your baby is no longer likely to remain passive
in a sitting or reclining position for long periods of time.  At this point,
when he is placed in one of these devices, he probably will attempt to stand
up, climb out, etc.  Consequently, it is a good idea to double-check the
design and construction, making sure that the piece of equipment has a low
center of gravity and strong joints and latches so that it won't tip over or
collapse easily.  Furthermore, it is suggested that you take extra time to be
sure that your baby is harnessed in very securely.  In general, plan on not
keeping your baby restricted in such devices anywhere near as long as you did
previously, and never leave him unattended in one.


     My baby loves to chase balloons and soap bubbles.  Are these things safe
if he catches them?

     Chasing soap bubbles and balloons is a lot of fun for babies once they
can get around quite well.  However, it probably is not a good idea to let
your baby play unsupervised with balloons.  If one should happen to break,
your baby will likely need a little comforting as the sound will no doubt
frighten him.  Also, the pieces of rubber from the broken balloon (as well as
balloons that have not been inflated) present a serious swallowing and choking
hazard.  It also is important to remember that when chasing either balloons or
soap bubbles, your baby may be prone to accidents because his limited
attention will he focused totally on the floating object.  Therefore, make
sure that there is plenty of room for him to crawl around without having to
worry about bumping into something, falling down somewhere, etc.


     Are all commercial toys for children in this age range a waste of money?

     Certainly not, but you can end up wasting a lot of money if you are not
careful with your selections and expenditures.  Because babies now are a lot
more active and can do so much more than they could just a few months ago, toy
manufacturers tend to make products for them that are increasingly elaborate
and expensive.  However, a commercial toy has only a slim chance of breaking
into a baby's consciousness to begin with.  Even if it is a good one that
manages to capture his attention, his interests and abilities are continuing
to change very rapidly.  In other words, even a great toy probably won't be
good for very long at this point, so investing a lot of money in any one item
is not likely to make sense.


     Shouldn't I buy a "busy box" or "activity center" to keep my baby
entertained when he's in his crib or car seat?

     These products, which typically contain a button to push, a dial to spin,
a lever to pull, etc., and which can be attached to the sides of various
pieces of furniture and equipment, are very popular items--millions are
purchased every year.  However, it is apparent that their popularity is based
upon the fact that they look like they provide hours of entertainment, so
parents are inclined to purchase them.  In fact, the more elaborate (and thus,
more expensive) a busy box or activity center is, the more likely that mothers
and fathers will find it appealing.  Once these products are presented to
babies, they do get a lot of attention--but only for about ten or 15 minutes,
until the novelty wears off.  As soon as babies run through the various
mechanisms a few times, they become bored and rarely return to these toys
thereafter.  Therefore, busy boxes and activity centers, despite their
at-first-glance appeal, usually are a poor investment for children during this
period.


     Are "surprise boxes" any better than "busy boxes"?

     They usually are.  Surprise boxes typically contain a small row of
jack-in-the-box type sections, with the trigger mechanisms being simple
levers, dials, switches, and push buttons.  In addition to being less
expensive than busy boxes in most cases, these toys have two major advantages.
First, the surprise aspect is far more motivating for babies than the simple
ring, rattle, or whatever that is provided with standard busy box mechanisms.
Second, each little section provides babies with an easily opened and closed
door, and they love to simply move the hinge back and forth for long periods
of time.  Therefore, surprise boxes do constitute one of the better
investments in the world of commercial toys.  By the way, babies at this age
are generally too young for the standard jack-in-the-box.  They have a great
deal of difficulty operating the winding mechanism, and they find it
impossible to reset the pop-up part without a lot of adult assistance.


     What kinds of kitchen items serve as especially enjoyable toys?

     Your baby probably will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen, and
fortunately, there are many items in a typical kitchen that make wonderful
playthings at this point.  In general, anything with soft, rounded edges,
particularly if it is made of plastic, will be suitable for such purposes.
Pots and pans, mixing bowls, measuring cups and measuring spoons, wooden
spoons, spatulas, and plastic storage containers are perennial favorites.
Paper products and canned goods also provide a lot of enjoyment--chasing a
rolling can of tuna fish or a roll of paper towels can be a lot of fun.  As
your baby becomes more and more adept with his small muscle skills, you can
even introduce items such as turkey basters and empty squeeze bottles (if the
bottles formerly contained liquid soap or some other such substance, make sure
they have been thoroughly rinsed out).  Although empty cans constitute a
hazard, empty plastic soda pop bottles will be a special treat for your baby
(be sure to remove or firmly secure the plastic lid, however, since it may
cause choking if swallowed).


     Why are things like little picnic baskets and bandage boxes so popular
with children in this age group?

     During this period, babies become fascinated with simple mechanisms,
especially devices that operate on hinges.  Therefore, anything with a lid
that they can open and close easily is likely to be a favorite plaything.
Items such as little picnic baskets and bandage boxes have additional appeal
because they allow babies to collect things and carry them around.  Perhaps
because of their growing ability to retain mental images, babies at this age
seem to enjoy "hiding" various objects for short periods of time.
Consequently, anything that provides them with opportunities to pick things
up, put them in a closed container, and then take them out a while later will
be very much appreciated.  Unfortunately, indulging your baby's interest in
such items may be a bit tricky.  The "container" must be small enough for your
baby to handle comfortably, but the "things" that go inside must be too large
for him to swallow, so making the appropriate match may take some extra
effort.


     My baby is becoming a real little tiger in the tub.  What can I give him
to keep him busy while I'm bathing him?

     During this period, babies typically become quite active in the tub.
Fortunately, they usually enjoy a variety of bath toys, ranging from many of
the elaborate commercial models to the traditional rubber ducky and all the
boats, sponge puppets, and floating soap bars in between.  If you are
purchasing bath toys for your baby, note that those which give him an
opportunity to pour, splash, and squirt probably will be big favorites, and
water wheels are a special added attraction.  These toys will be appropriate
and appreciated for many months, so they constitute one of the better
investments in this area.  On the other hand, your baby is likely to have just
as much fun with a set of plastic measuring cups, a couple of sponges, and a
turkey baster.  In other words, there are probably many objects and devices
already in your kitchen that will allow your baby to do just as much if not
more pouring, splashing, and squirting as any commercial product.


     Is there any special equipment.  I should purchase to enhance the
development of my baby's physical skills?

     Although there are several excellent indoor gyms available commercially,
your baby probably won't be able to make maximum use of these relatively
elaborate devices for much of this period, so they probably are not a good
investment at this point.  Moreover, they really aren't necessary at all.
Your baby will have plenty of opportunities to practice the physical skills he
has acquired and attempt new challenges as long as he has access to a large
portion of your home.  Carpeted stairs (see next question), sofas, beds, and
various other pieces of furniture will be more than adequate in this regard.
You can make activities involving large muscle skills even easier to pursue by
placing pillows, cushions, large cardboard cartons, and even yourself on the
floor for him to crawl over.


     I'm scared to death to let my baby climb stairs unsupervised.  Is there a
more risk-free activity I can substitute?

     If allowing your baby to climb up to just the third step by placing a
gate there instead of at the bottom (see illustration in "Safety And Health"
in the 6 Months To 1 Year section) is still more than you can stand, don't
worry.  Climbing babies are fascinated with "essence of step," and they really
don't care too much about how many steps there are or how high the steps are.
Therefore, as a substitute, you can use sturdy, stable boxes or padded boards
to create a small set of steps in your living room, bedroom, or some other
carpeted area.  The steps need only be a couple of inches high, and there need
not be more than three or four increments.  Also, the platforms can be as long
and wide as you want.  Although you should make an effort to provide your baby
with supervised "real stair" experiences as often as possible, and you
eventually will have to let him tackle them on his own, at this point, he will
get ample practice and a lot of pleasure from these "substitute steps."


     My local community center is offering a baby gymnastics program.  Should
I enroll my baby?

     Most of these programs, particularly those operated by national
franchises, are excellent.  As babies develop new physical skills, they enjoy
opportunities to practice and expand their capabilities.  These programs
typically offer safe equipment and appropriate activities for these purposes.
Moreover, they generally are well supervised and fairly inexpensive.  An added
attraction is that they provide parents with a chance to get out of the house
and mingle with other parents who have children at approximately the same age.
However, you should know that no program of this kind has ever been able to
prove that it provides lasting advantages for babies when it comes to large or
small muscle skill development, coordination, self-confidence, or anything
else--despite the fact that such benefits often are claimed in the promotional
literature.  If you and your baby are looking for some good fun outside the
house, fine; but keep in mind that any special functions performed by the
program can be easily duplicated in your own home with the furniture and
fixtures already on hand.


     Are push and pull toys appropriate for children in this age range?

     Push and pull toys are not particularly appropriate at this point for two
major reasons.  First, since babies are just starting to get around on their
own and are focusing intensely on the basic skills involved, they ordinarily
do not seem interested in bogging themselves down with such items.  Second,
even if they do show a little interest in these toys, using them can pose some
serious hazards.  If string is used for push-pull purposes, there is a chance
that a baby could become entangled; the possibility of strangulation cannot be
ruled out either.  Even if the push-pull is based upon a pole or rod, there
are potential problems.  Remember, babies are still relatively clumsy during
this period, and should they fall while pushing such a toy rapidly across the
floor, they may become injured as a result of a poke.  Therefore, it probably
is a good idea to avoid push and pull toys, at least for the time being.


     In addition to toys, are there any "games" that my baby will be able to
play?

     Not in the true sense of playing games.  Your baby is still much too
young to grasp such concepts as rules, taking turns, etc.  However, he will
greatly enjoy "reactive" games--activities that are initiated by you in which
you really do all the work and he is simply required to respond
enthusiastically.  For example, once he has achieved object permanence and can
retain a mental image in his mind for a short period of time, your baby will
love to play "peek-a-boo."  As he gets a little older, he will appreciate
similar "hiding" games--such as "Where's Daddy?" or "Where's the toy?"  Once
your baby starts developing a receptive vocabulary and some imitative ability,
simple pointing-and-naming games will be a lot of fun for him, too.  He'll
especially enjoy those centered around his own body parts, such as "Where's
your nose?" and "Are those your feet?"


     My baby is spending more and more time outdoors.  Should I have anything
special for him in the yard?

     Not really.  Your baby is still too young to enjoy an outdoor gym, swing
set, or any other such major piece of equipment to its full extent.  He will
be endlessly fascinated by all the new things he is encountering during his
explorations, so he probably won't need to be "entertained" by toys too often.
When he does, simply transferring his usual playthings to a blanket laid out
in the yard will most likely suffice.  Perhaps the only special item that you
might consider introducing is a small wading pool.  There are documented cases
of babies drowning in as little as two inches of water, so keep the level low
and make sure you supervise at all times.  However, as long as the proper
precautions are taken, your baby will enjoy splashing around with a few cups,
spoons, and other suitable items--especially on a hot summer's day.


     Is it true that all babies develop a strong attachment to a stuffed
animal, blanket, or some other "transitional object"?

     A lot of babies do this, but certainly not all of them.  The concept of a
"transitional object"--something that provides security as a baby makes the
transition from complete helplessness to early independence--fits nicely into
various theories of development.  In addition, many parents report that their
baby will strongly resist going to sleep, taking a nap, or leaving the house
unless he is given his special "fuzzy" or whatever.  However, research has
shown that although this phenomenon is certainly common, it is by no means
universal.  Quite a few babies never display an inclination toward such items;
and furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that there are any long-term
differences in personality or emotional development between those who do and
those who don't.  Consequently, if your baby hasn't attached himself to
something of this sort, don't worry.  And definitely don't feel you need to go
out and buy one of the "security toys" being marketed with claims based on
erroneous and inappropriate assumptions.


     Is it too soon to provide my baby with simple musical instruments?

     It certainly is too soon to expect that your baby will have any real
sense of music appreciation.  It also is too soon to expect his increasing yet
still rudimentary small muscle skills to be able to handle most musical
instruments in the way they are designed to be used.  However, that does not
mean that musical toys are completely inappropriate at this point.  Because
your baby is very interested in both sounds and the concept of "cause and
effect"--especially if he is the "cause" in some way--introducing him to a to
a drum, keyboard, or xylophone may not be a bad idea.  Avoid anything with
strings or anything that requires your baby to blow in order to make a sound.
Make sure that any such item you provide is very durable, as your baby will be
doing a lot more "pounding" than "playing."  In addition, be prepared for a
lot of "noise" as opposed to "music" emanating from his efforts.


     Is my baby ready for finger paints?

     Not really.  Your baby still does not have the mental capacity for true
"creativity," nor does he have sufficient small muscle control to use these
materials in anything more than a fairly crude manner.  In addition, he
probably will end up putting this stuff into his mouth.  However, your baby
will be very interested in colors and textures, and he may very well find
things like clay or play dough to be fascinating and fun.  Be very careful in
checking to see that anything of this sort that you provide is nontoxic.
Since your baby will do a lot more mushing, squishing, pounding, and throwing
than "molding," be prepared for considerably more "mess" than "art."


THE PROBLEM WITH PRESENTS

     A child's first birthday is a major occasion, and many parents put in a
lot of time and effort preparing a special celebration.  Unfortunately, as
part of the celebration, a lot of toys tend to be presented to the baby as
gifts.  Consequently, many parents suffer severe disappointment when their
baby plays with these items for only a few minutes but spends several hours
fooling around with the boxes, ribbons, and paper in which they were wrapped.
The fact of the matter is that it is a rare toy that will hold a baby's
attention for any length of time at this point.  Therefore, spending large
amounts of money to provide an abundance of elaborate playthings simply
doesn't make much sense at this point.  Moreover, although a baby will get an
impression that he is the center of attention and probably will enjoy that
immensely, he will not comprehend and thus not care about the concept of
gifts.  Therefore, when planning for your baby's first birthday, first
Christmas, first Hanukkah, or whatever, try to avoid the temptation to show
your love by showering him with toys.  Alert friends and relatives that making
expenditures for such items is not necessary as well.  A few years from now
you may incur your child's anger by giving him something as mundane as socks
and underwear on these occasions, but for the time being, it will make little
difference to your baby and may make a big difference in your budget.


BEWARE OF ADULT PERSPECTIVE

     Babies do not buy toys for themselves.  In fact, because of their limited
communication skills, they can't even make their preferences clearly known.
At this point, they are completely dependent upon their parents not only for
the purchase of their playthings, but for the selection of their playthings as
well.  As a result, many manufacturers tend to design and market their
products in ways that will appeal primarily to the adults who will purchase
the toys, rather than to the babies who will eventually play with them.  If
you are not careful about avoiding adult perspective when shopping, you may
encounter some problems.  For instance, as noted earlier, busy boxes and
activity centers are among the best selling toys year after year, even though
babies hardly spend much time at all interacting with them.  That's because
many adults think they look interesting, and they often have a lot of fun
fiddling with the little gadgets themselves in the toy store.  Consequently, a
good deal of money is wasted because parents erroneously assume that something
which fascinates them will fascinate their baby as well.  Another example
involves the use of well known cartoon or television characters to decorate
toys for babies--a practice that is quite common.  Manufacturers spend a lot
of money to procure the rights to use these characters, and their cost is
passed along in the price of the toys.  However, the pleasant associations we
have with some of these characters are built up during later childhood; babies
at this age don't know--or care about--the difference between these "stars"
and generic animals, people, etc.  Consequently, if you look at these toys
through your own eyes rather than through the eyes of your baby, it is likely
you will shell out extra dollars and get a little "status" but absolutely no
additional enjoyment for your baby.