1. Of course, the first criterion to check is SAFETY. Inspect the toy to see if any of the parts are too small for a young infant or toddler; does it present a choking hazard? Does it meet North American or European Consumer Product Safety Standards? Does it have rough or sharp edges? Will it shatter or break easily?
2. Is the toy appropriate for the child's age and /or developmental level? Most often toys will indicate the age level for which they are designed. Match the toy to your child's ability and skill level. If you child is advanced, a toy for an older child may be suitable, but check for small parts if the child is under 3 years of age.
3. Assess the toy for durability. Will it withstand heavy-duty play? Will it have long-lasting value? Does the manufacturer offer any guarantees on workmanship and/or normal wear and tear? Some companies will actually replace or repair broken toys or parts.
4. Play with the toy yourself before giving it to your child. See if you think it is well made. Is the design play-friendly? Can a child figure out how to use it with little adult instruction?
5. Is the toy versatile; can it be used in different ways? Many toys such as blocks, cars, play food and dishes, dolls and dress up items are what we refer to as open-ended toys. There is no one right way to play with these toys. They can be used in a number of different ways and invite creative exploration.
6. Check for child appeal. Does the toy invite curiosity, problem solving or thinking? One way to find out if a particular toy is appealing is to watch children at preschool or in play groups to see if it holds their interest. Sometimes toy stores allow children to try out the product before the parents purchase it. Observe your child's reaction to these trial toys.
7. Consider if the toy will challenge your child or allow him to learn something new. There are many quality educational toys on the market today that are designed to teach, offer practice or encourage
mastery of a concept or idea. Try to choose a toy that is at your child's learning edge; that means the toy is challenging but not too frustrating.
8. Include toys that are designed to expand your child's creativity. All children need a creative outlet. Art supplies, building toys, craft projects, pretend toys, puppets, costumes and play figures all stimulate imagination and creativity.
9. Look for toys that are just fun. Not all toys have to serve an end, such as learning or creativity. Is the toy amusing, entertaining, exciting or even silly? Include some of these fun toys in your child's toy box.
10. Finally, consider if the toy can be used to enhance your relationship with your child. Is it a toy that can be played with together, such as blocks, dolls, cards or games? Stanley Greenspan, founding president of Zero to Three promotes the idea of parents spending time each day joining into some activity with their child. This valuable one on one time builds trust, security, relationship, rapport and memories that will last long after your child leaves home.
Keep in mind that no one toy will meet all of these criteria. Some toys will meet more than one, offering a good value for the money, but most parents will have to invest in a number of different types of toys to meet a child's developmental needs. Toys need not be expensive or ecologically costly. Consider sharing toys or passing them on to friends, siblings, relatives or used toy outlets like Goodwill. Used toys can also be given to some charities or to schools, daycares or homeless shelters. There are even a few charities that refurbish and redistribute toys and stuffed animals to underprivileged children both at home and abroad. In some cities there are toy lending libraries that allow parents to "check out" toys for a few weeks, either free or for a small fee. This is a good way to test out a toy before you purchase it. You might even form a small scale toy lending library with other parents in your community, pooling, trading or sharing the toys your children own.
We can all do our part to reduce materialism, waste, excessive consumerism and environmental destruction. Parents naturally want to give their children the best, but we can also give them a healthy planet and a sustainable future. Our precious children deserve no less; they are the future of humankind.