Benefit of Toys for Development

Toddlers and Infants

This stage includes toddlers who grasp and suck to those who show signs of an internal representational system that shows development of problem solving sequence and deferred imitation. Berk, states that here "dramatic changes in the body and brain support the emergence of a wide array of motor, perceptual, and intellectual capacities and ?rst intimate ties to others" (Berk, 2009, p. 8). There are several options of the right type of toys for infants and toddlers. These include but not limited to play-dough, case of colors, bumpy ball, little tikes gas 'n go mower, Vtech ride and learn giraffe bike. Infants generally are not able to walk or carry out activities while on their own or outdoors.

According to Gabbard & Rodrigues (2008), toddlers and infants need activities that engage their sensory motor, a great toy for this type of function is bumby ball. The bumby ball is an easy to grasp bumped ball that a baby can roll or toss. The bumby ball comes in great bright colors, which is essential in developing sense of vision in toddlers and toddlers. The bumbs aid in grip as they enable the baby hold and toss the ball, which is an important activity in the baby's development. The ball is soft and is appropriate for toddlers' environment. It also has a plastic knob with beads of different sizes. The movements and sounds it produces make it attractive to the baby providing a pleasant experience. When the baby is little, the caretaker is encouraged to shake it towards the baby's head, the baby is most likely to look and then turn towards it. In older babies, the ball is given to them and then encouraged to play with it.

The Bumby ball helps fasten development of motor skills in a child. The grip feeling is appealing and the child will first hold it with both hands and put it in the mouth in an exploration stint, then hold it in one hand feel the knobs with the other hand. The baby will soon learn to toss the ball from one hand to the other. This improves the baby's physical development, eye and limb coordination as well as manipulative skills.

Preschool

Berk (2009) describes this stage in life of a child as "play years" at this stage, the child's motor skills are refined, their thoughts and linguistic ability increase very fast. This is the stage where they show a sense of mortality and they also establish relationship with peers.

Here they play with toys slightly advanced than the ones used by toddlers. These include but not limited to princess doll, small sitting Ryan lion, spy Mate toys, Tonka steel dump truck, wooden geometric stacker and Build & Play Alphabet Play Mat.

Wooden geometric stacker includes 25 wood pieces of different shapes including, triangular, circular, Star of varying sizes with bright colors. The pieces or blocks are brightly colored to attract the eyes. The wooden geometric stacker has a base at which three wooden poles perpendicularly connected to holds the blocks together. The blocks or the pieces are stack one on top of the other either matching the colors shape or sizes. However, the children can play with the blocks independently from the wooden base. The toy offers entertaining and delightful experience.

The wooden geometric stacker is ideal for instilling shape, color and size contrast early in children. It is also credited with building creativity in those who use it as well as problem solving and sequencing skills. In addition, the toy enables children to be imaginative and enhances their cognitive, emotional and mental development. According to Berk (2009), children engagements with the toy help them blend socially with other children.

Middle School and Teenagers

Middle school children and teenagers have thoughts that are more abstract, especially in teenage, most of them use formal logic. They have the ability to outline abstract propositions, hypothesize and conclude. Many are approaching puberty and their "focus is mainly on de-ning personal values and goals and establishing autonomy from the family" (Berk, 2009, p. 8). Some of the most helpful activities or games for this category of children include leapfrog explorer learning game movies such as Hannah Montana; various puzzles, Monopoly and wire puzzles.