MD ARMAN

MA EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

. .

INTRODUCTION

Toys are essential tools in fostering children's growth and learning. They provide opportunities
for play, which is considered the “work of children” (Paley, 2004). Through play, children explore
their environment, develop cognitive skills, and build motor abilities. The selection of toys plays
a significant role in supporting their developmental milestones. Appropriate toys stimulate
creativity, enhance problem-solving, and promote social interactions, catering to the unique
needs of each age group.

This assignment explores 20 toys selected from online and offline markets, analyzing their age
appropriateness and the cognitive functions they serve. Through visual illustrations and
practical examples, the discussion highlights how intentional toy selection supports children’s
development across multiple domains, ensuring a holistic approach to early learning.

TOYS CATEGORIZATION

Infants (0–12 months). Toddlers (1–3 years).

Soft Rattle. Shape Sorter

Crib Mobile. Stacking Rings

Teething Ring. Push-and-Pull Toys

Tummy Time Play Mat. Musical Instruments

Mirrored Toys. Picture Books with Textures

Preschoolers (3–5 years) School-Age Children (6–10 years)

Building Blocks STEM Kits

Pretend Play Sets (doctor kit). Board Games (Scrabble Junior)

Jigsaw Puzzles Short stories book

Art Supplies(crayons, play dough) Science Experiment Kits

Outdoor Play Equipment (balance bike) Musical Keyboard

Infants (0-12 months)

1. Soft Rattles : A lightweight toy that produces sound when shaken, made with soft materials
for safety.

Cognitive Functions:

 Enhances sensory development as infants respond to the sound and texture.

 Encourages grasping reflex and hand-eye coordination.

2. Crib Mobile : A hanging device with colorful and patterned items that move gently, often
accompanied by soothing sounds.

Cognitive Functions:

 Stimulates visual tracking as infants follow the moving objects.

 Promotes focus and spatial awareness.

3. Teething Ring: A chewable ring made of non-toxic, baby-safe material, often textured.

Cognitive Functions:

 Provides relief during teething and promotes oral motor development.

 Encourages sensory exploration with varied textures.

4.Tummy Time Play Mat: A soft mat with attached toys like mirrors, squeakers, or crinkly
fabrics to engage infants during tummy time.

Cognitive Functions:

 Strengthens neck, shoulder, and core muscles needed for gross motor development.

 Promotes reaching, grasping, and exploration of surroundings

5. Mirrored Toys: Baby-safe mirrors often attached to toys or mats. These are durable and non-
breakable.

Cognitive Functions:

 Supports self-recognition and builds social-emotional awareness as babies begin to

recognize faces.
  Enhances visual focus and curiosity.

Toddler (1-3 year)

1. Shape shorter: A colorful box with openings in different geometric shapes encourages
exploration and problem-solving.

Cognitive Function:

 Helps toddlers learn to recognize and match shapes, improving problem-solving and
spatial reasoning skills.

 By inserting the correct shapes into their respective slots, children enhance their hand-
eye coordination and fine motor skills.
2. Stacking Rings :A set of bright, plastic rings of varying sizes with a central pole for stacking
promotes hands-on learning.

Cognitive Function:

 Teaches toddlers the concept of size and order as they stack rings from largest to
smallest.

 It also strengthens their coordination and grasping abilities.

3. Push-and-Pull Toys: A wooden duck on wheels with a pull-string or a push-cart filled with
blocks motivates movement and active play.

Cognitive Function:

 Encourages balance, walking, and spatial awareness.

 These toys allow toddlers to develop gross motor skills and explore their surroundings
independently.
4. Musical Instruments (e.g., Xylophone) : A small xylophone with a mallet or a set of hand
drums stimulates their interest in music and sound exploration.

Cognitive Function:

 Introduces toddlers to cause and effect as they learn that striking keys or strings
produces sound.

 It also nurtures their auditory processing and rhythm awareness.

5. Picture Books with Textures: Books with pages that feature soft, rough, or bumpy textures
alongside images and simple text help toddlers engage in multi-sensory exploration.

Cognitive Function:

 Develops language and sensory skills by exposing toddlers to new words, textures, and
visual stimuli.

 Touch-and-feel books encourage curiosity and early literacy.

Preschoolers (3–5 years)

1. Building Blocks: Blocks made of wood, plastic, or foam allow preschoolers to create
structures such as towers, bridges, and enclosures.

Cognitive Functions:

 Develops spatial awareness and understanding of balance.

 Encourages creativity and imaginative play.

2. Pretend Play Sets (e.g., Doctor Kit) :Pretend play sets may include items like stethoscopes,
thermometers, or food items for role-playing.

Cognitive Functions:

 Enhances social skills and emotional understanding by acting out real-life scenarios.

 Builds empathy as children take on roles such as a caregiver

3. Jigsaw Puzzles (10–20 Pieces): Age-appropriate puzzles featuring familiar themes (e.g.,
animals, vehicles) with large, easy-to-handle pieces.

Cognitive Functions:

 Strengthens hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

 Promotes patience and perseverance as children work toward completing the puzzle.

4. Art Supplies (e.g., Crayons, Play Dough) :Crayons, markers, and play dough allow children to
draw, color, sculpt, and shape objects.

Cognitive Functions:

 Fosters creativity and self-expression.

 Develops fine motor skills through gripping, rolling, and molding.

5. Outdoor Play Equipment (e.g., Balance Bike) : Lightweight bikes or other outdoor equipment
like scooters designed for preschoolers to use in safe spaces.

Cognitive Functions:

 Improves gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and muscle strength.

 Promotes problem-solving as they navigate their surroundings.

School-Age Children (6–10 years)

1. STEM Kits (e.g., Robotics): A basic robotics kit where children assemble a robot and program
it to perform tasks.

Cognitive Functions:

 Encourage logical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

 They also foster creativity as children design and build functional models.
2. Board Games (e.g., Scrabble Junior) : Scrabble Junior allows children to form words while
learning their meanings.

Cognitive Functions:

 Build vocabulary, enhance spelling abilities, and develop strategic thinking

 Board games also encourage turn-taking and teamwork.

3. Chapter Books (e.g., Short Stories): Short story collections with age-appropriate language
and relatable themes, such as stories about friendship or adventure.

Cognitive Functions:

 Enhance reading comprehension, expand vocabulary, and stimulate imagination.

 They also promote empathy by exposing children to diverse characters and situations.
4. Science Experiment Kits: A kit with tools and instructions to grow crystals or perform basic
chemistry experiments.

Cognitive Functions:

 Encourage scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and the ability to formulate hypotheses.

 They also teach concepts like cause and effect.

5. Musical Keyboard: A compact, beginner-friendly keyboard with light-up keys to guide learners
in playing simple tunes.

Cognitive Functions:

 Improve hand-eye coordination, enhance auditory processing, and foster creativity.

 It also teaches discipline and focus as they learn to play melodies.

Reference
Essential reference: Using Toys to SupportInfant-Toddler

Learning and Development , Gabriel Guyton

1. toy websites like Amazon,Fisher-Price,Melissa & Doug to find toys mentioned here.

2. For STEM kits and board games, check Lego Education,National Geographic Kids, or Hasbro
Gaming.

3. Mention educational and research-based sites like NAEYC (National Association for the
Education of Young Children) or Zero to Threefor toy selection guidance.

o - National Geographic Kids. (n.d.). Science Experiment Kits for Kids. Retrieved from
[www.natgeokids.com](https://www.natgeokids.com).

o - Fisher-Price. (n.d.). Infant and Toddler Toys. Retrieved from [www.fisher-

price.com](https://www.fisher-price.com).

o - Amazon. (n.d.). Scrabble Junior Board Game. Retrieved from

[www.amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com).