Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0

A toy is simply a toy. The interaction between child and plaything is paramount; therefore, a few quality toys are preferable to many in which your child shows little interest.

Toys can be "natural" and found around the home or out-of-doors, or they can be "commercial" and purchased in the store. More and more commercial toys are being sold in packages with "educational" stamped on them. Package information usually includes what the child is supposed to learn while playing with the particular toy. However, most toys educate whether labeled "educational" or not. Beware of trying to structure too much of your child's play into a specific, educational opportunity. Creativity and natural learning will suffer as a result.

For further information, see:

Introduction to Play

Toys for Infants