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Chapter 1 Index
A. General Information
about the well child examination B. Nutrition Issues
C. Sleep Issues
D. Dental Issues
E. Anticipatory Guidance
--Discipline: Normal
Toddlers
--Discipline: To Spank
or Not to Spank
--Toilet Training: or Once Upon a Potty
--Reach Out and Read
--Anticipatory Guidance: Other Items to Ask
Birth – 6 years of age
--Smoking: Adverse
Effects on Children
--What’s New in Car Seats in 2002
--Water Safety: Prevention and Treatment of
Drowning
--Common Accidents
--The Problems Associated with Walkers |
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Toys: Choosing Safe Toys - Playing is Learning
Drs. Williams, Hunnicutt, Walley, Ogden, G. Bonitatibus
Introduction: The pediatrician is often asked to recommend
toys for different age groups. Access to resources can be helpful when faced
with these questions.
Toy Safety: In 1996 there were 13 deaths from toys, and
65,000 ER visits. Most deaths are from choking, and most of those from
balloons or inflated latex gloves. If you need information about toy safety,
call the Consumer Products Safety Commission (800-638-2772).
The usual rule of thumb is to follow the 5 S’s when
choosing toys:
- make sure that the size, shape, surfaces are safe; also do not
buy toys with strings, and always supervise carefully. Look
for the ASTM F963 label on toy: means passed 100 safety standards.
How to choose a toy: Always follow the developmental guidelines
listed on the toys
Parents should be reminded that it is not the toy, but the personal
interactions they have with their children that is important in playing with
toys. The simpler the toy the better - parents often overestimate what is
appropriate for their children.
| Age |
Developmental Issues |
Appropriate types of toys |
|
Newborn |
Sensory: vision, hearing, touch |
musical, stuffed animals with human faces, |
|
birth – 4 mos |
vocalizing, listening, play with fingers, swing arms |
Bright contrasting colors, mobiles, texture mats,
mirrors, rattles, music |
|
4-7 months |
reaching, transfer, then sitting, or propping, teething,
everything goes into the mouth |
teething rings, stacking rings, hand toys, noisy toys,
rattles, balls, blocks, |
|
8-12 months |
explore environment, climb, control legs and arms, pincer
|
pots and pans, ball, nesting cups, ducks in tub,
containers, blocks, squeeze toys, links |
|
12-15 mos |
walking, talking fine motor skills, musical interest |
small slide, blocks simple instruments, push and pull
toys, crayons board books |
|
15-24 mos |
learning independence, repeat to learn, parallel play |
blocks, puzzles, car held in one hand, creativity, toy
telephones, push and pull toys |
|
2-4 years |
group play, potty training, do-it-yourself |
tricycle, board games, puzzles, blocks, creativity toys,
collections, early science, dolls, books |
|
5-9 yr olds |
developing skills and more creativity |
scissors, sewing sets, card games, hand puppets, balls,
bicycles, crafts, trains, dolls, jump ropes, roller blades and skates,
table games |
|
10-14 yr old |
hobbies and science |
computer games, sewing, knitting, microscope, telescope,
collections |
Resources for parents interested in finding out more about toys:
http://www.aap.org - can search for
types of toys
http://www.aap.org/family/toybroc.html - toy safety brochure
http://www.aap.org/policy/re9714.html - AAP 1997 statement about
pediatrician’s role
http://www.cpsc.gov? US consumer product
safety commission - updates list: dangerous toys
text: AAP publication: Caring for your Baby and Young Child: Birth to age 5.
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