The Consumer Product Safety Commission on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 announced a voluntary recall of 1.5 million Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway toys because they contain lead paint. Consumers are advised to take the recalled toys away from young toddlers immediately.
Recalled Products:
1. Red James Engine & Red James # 5 Coal Tender
2. Red Lights & Sounds James Engine & Red James #5 Lights & Sounds Coal Tender
3. Red Skarloey Engine
4. Red Hook & Ladder Truck & Red Water Tanker Truck
5. Red Musical Caboose
6. Red Baggage Car
7. Red Holiday Caboose
8. Red "Sodor Mail" Car
9. Red Fire Brigade Truck
10. Red Fire Brigade Train
11. Red Coal Car
12. Yellow Box Car
13. Red Stop Sign
Selasa, 04 November 2008
Senin, 03 November 2008
Taking Care of Your Wooden Toys
Wood is a natural material, a few simple steps should be followed to keep your wooden toys in good condition.
1. Try not to leave your wooden toy outside over night. Fluctuations in temperatures can cause your wood toys to age prematurely.
2. Unless the wooden toy was specifically designed as a teether or toddler toy that a toddler is likely to put in his or her mouth, do not expose your wooden toys to excessive moisture.
3. Do not leave wooden toys in direct sun for extended periods of time. Such exposure can cause the finish of wooden toys to fade over time.
4. When it's time to clean your wooden toys, try to wipe with a dry cloth first.
5. Never use furniture polish to clean wooden toys. Here are a few tips for cleaning your wooden toys.
a. Use a bleach-water solution to disinfect wooden toys.
b. The ratio should be ten parts water to one part household bleach.
c. Dampen sponge and wipe or soak the toy for a few seconds and dry very throughly and right after cleaning.
1. Try not to leave your wooden toy outside over night. Fluctuations in temperatures can cause your wood toys to age prematurely.
2. Unless the wooden toy was specifically designed as a teether or toddler toy that a toddler is likely to put in his or her mouth, do not expose your wooden toys to excessive moisture.
3. Do not leave wooden toys in direct sun for extended periods of time. Such exposure can cause the finish of wooden toys to fade over time.
4. When it's time to clean your wooden toys, try to wipe with a dry cloth first.
5. Never use furniture polish to clean wooden toys. Here are a few tips for cleaning your wooden toys.
a. Use a bleach-water solution to disinfect wooden toys.
b. The ratio should be ten parts water to one part household bleach.
c. Dampen sponge and wipe or soak the toy for a few seconds and dry very throughly and right after cleaning.
Toddlers Wooden Toys
A toy may be fun but what benefits is that toy providing your toddler? Toys with educational values are obviously of much benefit, while wooden toys are not only durable but due to their natural qualities have a 'calming' effect on young toddlers, realistic toys that a young toddler finds easy to manipulate, convey the message of back to basics play values, simple toys with natural appeal that only require imagination when toddlers play with them. The look, shape and feel of these toys appeals to toddlers everywhere. So toddlers wooden toys excel in that prime requisite for all toys – toddler appeal.
Both natural wood and colored wooden toys are attractive to our toddlers. Toddlers wooden toys that have been painted and varnished exhibit a depth and variety of color that you don’t find in other toys.
Toddlers wooden toys use hard woods and are very durable. There is tremendous variety in the range of toddlers wooden toys available today. Provide your little one with a variety of age appropriate wooden toys to enhance their learning adventures.
Always try and pick toddlers wooden toys that are of a good quality. Please regularly check toddlers wooden toys for damage and look out especially for splinters. If your toddler has a splinter:
1. Soak their hurt finger in warm water with antibacterial soap.
2. Distract your toddler by asking them to look away.
3. If you can’t remove a splinter easily, leave it alone.
Both natural wood and colored wooden toys are attractive to our toddlers. Toddlers wooden toys that have been painted and varnished exhibit a depth and variety of color that you don’t find in other toys.
Toddlers wooden toys use hard woods and are very durable. There is tremendous variety in the range of toddlers wooden toys available today. Provide your little one with a variety of age appropriate wooden toys to enhance their learning adventures.
Always try and pick toddlers wooden toys that are of a good quality. Please regularly check toddlers wooden toys for damage and look out especially for splinters. If your toddler has a splinter:
1. Soak their hurt finger in warm water with antibacterial soap.
2. Distract your toddler by asking them to look away.
3. If you can’t remove a splinter easily, leave it alone.
Minggu, 02 November 2008
How to Choose Safe Toddler Toys
Most toddlers have an abundance of toys, both new and old. The general guidelines below will help keep toddlers safe and happy with their toys.
1. Check toys regularly for sharp edges or broken pieces. Remove all broken toys from the toddler's toy box as soon as possible.
2. Examine wooden toys very carefully.
3. Beware of stuffed toys.
4. Recalled toys have been found to be dangerous, so toddlers should immediately stop playing with the toy.
5. Observe the toddler while they are playing with the toy. Ensure they play with the toy appropriately.
1. Check toys regularly for sharp edges or broken pieces. Remove all broken toys from the toddler's toy box as soon as possible.
2. Examine wooden toys very carefully.
3. Beware of stuffed toys.
4. Recalled toys have been found to be dangerous, so toddlers should immediately stop playing with the toy.
5. Observe the toddler while they are playing with the toy. Ensure they play with the toy appropriately.
Toddler Toy Shopping Tips
Keep in mind these basic toddler toy shopping tips:
1. If it's a soft toy, like a Sesame Street Plush Toy, make sure it's washable.
2. Twist the eyes, buttons or any protruding decorations to determine if they're securely attached.
3. Fabric toys must be made with flame resistant or flame retardant fabrics.
4. Painted toys, whether plastic or wood, need to be made with lead-free paint.
5. Crayons or finger-paints must be non-toxic.
6. Look inside any box or compartment of a toy to make sure there are no smaller, unattached pieces.
7. If the toy makes a noise, make sure it has an "off" switch.
1. If it's a soft toy, like a Sesame Street Plush Toy, make sure it's washable.
2. Twist the eyes, buttons or any protruding decorations to determine if they're securely attached.
3. Fabric toys must be made with flame resistant or flame retardant fabrics.
4. Painted toys, whether plastic or wood, need to be made with lead-free paint.
5. Crayons or finger-paints must be non-toxic.
6. Look inside any box or compartment of a toy to make sure there are no smaller, unattached pieces.
7. If the toy makes a noise, make sure it has an "off" switch.
How to Buy Fisher-Price Toddler Toys
Fisher-Price toddler toys encourage creative play. Steps to buy Fisher-Price Toddler Toys:
1. Know that toddlers enjoy play-acting and motion. They like toys they can manipulate.
2. Think about your toddler's interests when buying toddler toys. Does your toddler enjoy music, role-play, vehicles, outdoor play or push toys? There is a Fisher-Price toy to suit every toddler's needs and interests.
3. Look at some of the vehicles available.
4. Notice that the push toys are very popular.
5. Be sure to consider the Little People sets.
6. Realize that ride-on toys are also excellent toddler gifts. A few Power Wheels toys (motorized ride-ons) are designed for toddlers as well.
7. Consider some other classic Fisher-Price toddler toys.
8. Know that role-playing is encouraged with the Medical Kit ($9), Play Desk ($14), and Tap 'n' Turn Bench ($6).
9. Choose your toddler toy from an online or local toy store.
Some toddlers may be advanced enough to enjoy some of the Fisher-Price Preschool toys.
1. Know that toddlers enjoy play-acting and motion. They like toys they can manipulate.
2. Think about your toddler's interests when buying toddler toys. Does your toddler enjoy music, role-play, vehicles, outdoor play or push toys? There is a Fisher-Price toy to suit every toddler's needs and interests.
3. Look at some of the vehicles available.
4. Notice that the push toys are very popular.
5. Be sure to consider the Little People sets.
6. Realize that ride-on toys are also excellent toddler gifts. A few Power Wheels toys (motorized ride-ons) are designed for toddlers as well.
7. Consider some other classic Fisher-Price toddler toys.
8. Know that role-playing is encouraged with the Medical Kit ($9), Play Desk ($14), and Tap 'n' Turn Bench ($6).
9. Choose your toddler toy from an online or local toy store.
Some toddlers may be advanced enough to enjoy some of the Fisher-Price Preschool toys.
Selasa, 28 Oktober 2008
Puppet Tips & Tricks
1. Suitable puppets for babies 0 - 3 years
For babies and toddlers, sock puppets, full-bodied puppets or glove puppets are the most appropriate.
2. Name that puppet!
It is important to give more character to your puppet by naming it.
3. Have a spare puppet as back up
Your toddler can grow attached to your puppet. So when buying a puppet, it's best to buy two of the same kind.
4. Choose compact puppets when traveling
When travelling, stick to the hand puppets that are easy to transport. Just make sure that you supervise your toddler when playing with finger puppets that are not toddler-safe.
5. Choose a puppet that is your child's favorite cartoon character
Here's a surefire way your toddler will enjoy playing with your puppet.
6. Use a puppet rack display
It is best to use puppet display rack is better than putting your puppets in a shelf or toy box. Your puppet can get lost amidst all the toys so this creative display of this toy not only gives your puppet a proper "home" but also becomes an inviting reminder to do puppet play whenever you can.
For babies and toddlers, sock puppets, full-bodied puppets or glove puppets are the most appropriate.
2. Name that puppet!
It is important to give more character to your puppet by naming it.
3. Have a spare puppet as back up
Your toddler can grow attached to your puppet. So when buying a puppet, it's best to buy two of the same kind.
4. Choose compact puppets when traveling
When travelling, stick to the hand puppets that are easy to transport. Just make sure that you supervise your toddler when playing with finger puppets that are not toddler-safe.
5. Choose a puppet that is your child's favorite cartoon character
Here's a surefire way your toddler will enjoy playing with your puppet.
6. Use a puppet rack display
It is best to use puppet display rack is better than putting your puppets in a shelf or toy box. Your puppet can get lost amidst all the toys so this creative display of this toy not only gives your puppet a proper "home" but also becomes an inviting reminder to do puppet play whenever you can.
The Best Toddler Toys
Making a choice for toddler toys is especially difficult. Toys for toddlers need to be educational, developmental and fun. The best toddler toys stimulate toddlers and are evergreen, meaning that they can be played with even at a later age. Any toys that are small enough to pass through a paper towel core must be kept away from children under three years of age. Here are the best toddler toys:
1. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano
This helps your toddler gain awareness of cause and effect and also entertains.
2. International Playthings I-Play Nest and Stack Buckets
The brightly colored Nest and Stack Buckets could be used for stacking, sorting, and even as molding and scooping sand in sandboxes.
3. LeapFrog LeapStart Infant & Toddler Learning Table
This educational toy introduces infant and toddler to the alphabet, numbers 1 - 10, shapes and colors through music, good choices to encourage learning in toddlers of 24 months.
Remember, when considering toys, to follow age recommendations featured on toy packaging for safety and always supervise toddlers.
1. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano
This helps your toddler gain awareness of cause and effect and also entertains.
2. International Playthings I-Play Nest and Stack Buckets
The brightly colored Nest and Stack Buckets could be used for stacking, sorting, and even as molding and scooping sand in sandboxes.
3. LeapFrog LeapStart Infant & Toddler Learning Table
This educational toy introduces infant and toddler to the alphabet, numbers 1 - 10, shapes and colors through music, good choices to encourage learning in toddlers of 24 months.
Remember, when considering toys, to follow age recommendations featured on toy packaging for safety and always supervise toddlers.
Toddler Worldview Shifts At Age 2
The researchers gave each of 30 toddlers objects to play with. “That knowledge fuels learning of objects' names. Recognizing objects with abstract shapes may prepare toddlers for symbolic play,” Smith hypothesized. Now, you take one step higher in fostering creativity by offering toys that will engage his imagination to form and create.
How to Encourage a Toddler's Pretend Play
1. Set aside a corner of your home where you can create a pretend play area for your toddler. Stock the area with toddler-size versions of the adult world.
2. Collect empty food tins, cereal boxes and cartons, can become anything a child can imagine. Talk with children about the difference between real and pretend.
3. Maintain a box full of old clothes and hats that can be used for dress-up.
4. Encourage your toddler to think outside of the box by using common objects to represent real life things. Use paper plates to represent lily pads for frogs.
5. Integrate music into your toddler's imaginary activity. Show your toddler how to play air guitar and hold a little concert.
6. Get on your hands and knees and play with your toddler.
7. Role-play scenarios with dolls and animals. Make up stories with your toddler.
Tips & Warnings
1. Watch your toddler after day care. Many toddlers will use their toys to review relevant events from their day.
2. Don't gender stereotype play.
3. Allow toddler to stop the pretend play if he becomes frightened by what is happening. Toddler's imaginations blossom, but at the same time new fears develop. Your reassurance will mean a lot as toddler explores the new and exciting world of pretend play.
2. Collect empty food tins, cereal boxes and cartons, can become anything a child can imagine. Talk with children about the difference between real and pretend.
3. Maintain a box full of old clothes and hats that can be used for dress-up.
4. Encourage your toddler to think outside of the box by using common objects to represent real life things. Use paper plates to represent lily pads for frogs.
5. Integrate music into your toddler's imaginary activity. Show your toddler how to play air guitar and hold a little concert.
6. Get on your hands and knees and play with your toddler.
7. Role-play scenarios with dolls and animals. Make up stories with your toddler.
Tips & Warnings
1. Watch your toddler after day care. Many toddlers will use their toys to review relevant events from their day.
2. Don't gender stereotype play.
3. Allow toddler to stop the pretend play if he becomes frightened by what is happening. Toddler's imaginations blossom, but at the same time new fears develop. Your reassurance will mean a lot as toddler explores the new and exciting world of pretend play.
Senin, 27 Oktober 2008
How to Enjoy Playhouse Disney With Your Toddler
Steps
1. Remember that Playhouse Disney is only the morning slots.
2. Get a toddler to dance to music. Almost all of the Playhouse Disney shows have songs or their characters singing.
3. Figure out what shows are appropriate for your toddler.
Tips
1. If your toddler interacts with the television show (dances to music, follows characters' actions or answers questions, etc), he or she will love the show more.
2. Because Playhouse Disney is during the morning, enjoy breakfast or lunch with your toddler while watching the shows.
3. If you search the internet, such as YouTube, you may find videos pertaining to Playhouse Disney.
There's an opportunity for toddlers to flex their developing muscles on playhouses and gyms, too. To encourage these skills in toddlers, Bowman recommends that parents provide props for their toddlers to use during playtime in a playhouse.
1. Remember that Playhouse Disney is only the morning slots.
2. Get a toddler to dance to music. Almost all of the Playhouse Disney shows have songs or their characters singing.
3. Figure out what shows are appropriate for your toddler.
Tips
1. If your toddler interacts with the television show (dances to music, follows characters' actions or answers questions, etc), he or she will love the show more.
2. Because Playhouse Disney is during the morning, enjoy breakfast or lunch with your toddler while watching the shows.
3. If you search the internet, such as YouTube, you may find videos pertaining to Playhouse Disney.
There's an opportunity for toddlers to flex their developing muscles on playhouses and gyms, too. To encourage these skills in toddlers, Bowman recommends that parents provide props for their toddlers to use during playtime in a playhouse.
Planning your Disney Vacation
1. Choose the dates you plan to be at the Disney Resort.
2. Select your preferred hotel.
3. Begin making your calls to make your hotel or package reservations. Make your reservations… early. The Disneyland Resort Hotels fill up early during the busy season.
4. Make car rental reservations if needed.
5. Confirm reservations: make hotel requests (bedding type, view, crib)
6. 30 Days before you leave make Fantasmic! Balcony or Riverside seating reservations.
7. Check with your toddler's doctor: get any documentation on shots or health records needed for travel.
2. Select your preferred hotel.
3. Begin making your calls to make your hotel or package reservations. Make your reservations… early. The Disneyland Resort Hotels fill up early during the busy season.
4. Make car rental reservations if needed.
5. Confirm reservations: make hotel requests (bedding type, view, crib)
6. 30 Days before you leave make Fantasmic! Balcony or Riverside seating reservations.
7. Check with your toddler's doctor: get any documentation on shots or health records needed for travel.
Selasa, 21 Oktober 2008
Educational and Cheap Toddler Toys
Looking for an alternative to expensive educational toys? Great developmentally, appropriate toy ideas for toddlers are detailed. Promote learning on the cheap!
12 - 18 Months
Undoubtedly, parents of toddlers this age have had to deal with the continual clean up of dumped toys and other items. At this age, toddlers are practicing spatial skills, and dumping and sorting helps achieve this. Stacking toys are a wonderful tool to help children sort and organize. Other appropriate suggestions include pounding toys, books, and balls.
2 – 3 Years
Consider buying toys that stimulate activity and enhance large and fine motor skills. As toddlers throw and kick balls, they build gross motor muscles and practice hand-eye coordination. Great quiet play learning toys for toddlers in this age group are simple puzzles, basic coloring and painting activities, and building blocks.
Pay attention to the recommended age range of the toy. Parents may think that their advanced toddler can handle a toy intended for an older toddler. Wash the toys thoroughly before giving them to your toddler.
Cheap, poorly designed toys are not worth the cost. Inexpensive, well-made toys are the better bargain. Simple, hand-made toys can inspire creativity and imagination. Toddlers can learn just as well from “cheap” toys as from expensive toys.
12 - 18 Months
Undoubtedly, parents of toddlers this age have had to deal with the continual clean up of dumped toys and other items. At this age, toddlers are practicing spatial skills, and dumping and sorting helps achieve this. Stacking toys are a wonderful tool to help children sort and organize. Other appropriate suggestions include pounding toys, books, and balls.
2 – 3 Years
Consider buying toys that stimulate activity and enhance large and fine motor skills. As toddlers throw and kick balls, they build gross motor muscles and practice hand-eye coordination. Great quiet play learning toys for toddlers in this age group are simple puzzles, basic coloring and painting activities, and building blocks.
Pay attention to the recommended age range of the toy. Parents may think that their advanced toddler can handle a toy intended for an older toddler. Wash the toys thoroughly before giving them to your toddler.
Cheap, poorly designed toys are not worth the cost. Inexpensive, well-made toys are the better bargain. Simple, hand-made toys can inspire creativity and imagination. Toddlers can learn just as well from “cheap” toys as from expensive toys.
Selasa, 05 Agustus 2008
Critical Thinking Skills
Developing critical thinking skills makes all the difference in successful education for the long term and pays off for a lifetime. This mindset can lead to unintentionally discouraging a toddler from questioning and developing reasoning skills. Teaching a toddler to reason and question teaches him to learn and look for more facts.
As toddlers learn critical thinking skills, learning becomes more exciting and they begin to want to find out more about a subject on their own. All things considered, developing critical thinking skills is one of the most valuable gifts you can give a toddler!
Webmaster of http://www.squidoo.com/toddlereducationaltoyscenter
As toddlers learn critical thinking skills, learning becomes more exciting and they begin to want to find out more about a subject on their own. All things considered, developing critical thinking skills is one of the most valuable gifts you can give a toddler!
Webmaster of http://www.squidoo.com/toddlereducationaltoyscenter
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