NOT SIMPLY CHILD'S PLAY

The visual system is the most complex sensory system in the human body, and yet it is the least mature system at birth. Though they have the anatomical structures needed for sight, infants have not learned to use them yet, and much of their first weeks and months is spent learning to see. Normal visual development is the change from just responding to brightness or contrast, towards the ability to apply meaning to what is seen. As children grow, more complex visual perception skills develop.

The child's progress from the blurry world of light and dark to the sophisticated ability to handle complex visual tasks is enhanced through play, which is the means by which he learns to master his world. By thoughtful selection of toys and activities, parents can stimulate this process of visual development without sacrificing the fun and enjoyment of play.

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING TOYS

• Inexpensive toys and simple childhood games can be just as effective as costly toys in helping children develop and improve their vision skills.

  

• Select toys that are well-made and appropriate to the child's age and level of maturity. Manufacturers often give suggested ages for a toy, but keep the individual child in mind because children develop at different rates and have different interests.
• Choose toys that can be used in a variety of ways, sparking the child's imagination and problem-solving skills.
• Look for toys that will grow with the child and be enjoyed in different ways at different developmental stages.
• Select toys that encourage exploration and problem-solving, and which develop spatial perceptual skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Give your child the chance to play with toys that reflect the real world. Toys like this help children problem-solve, learn spatial relationships, and develop fine motor skills.
• It is never too early to include "getting ready to read" toys that will help the child develop the visual perception skills required for reading and writing. Books can be introduced to babies of just a few weeks old.
• Seek out toys that encourage your child to be active.
• Look for toys that nurture cross-generational play. While adults and children can play almost anything together, there are some toys that are specifically designed for adult participation. Simple board games that encourage counting, matching, and memory skills, are fun as well as educational.
• Many toys are ablaze with buttons, levers, lights and music. Generally, the more a toy does, the less the child has to do. If the child can watch the toy "perform" rather than interacting with it, it is probably more entertaining than educational. The more children have to use their minds and bodies to make something work, the more they learn.
• Toys are the treasures of childhood, but they can be hazardous, too. Check for small parts that can come off toys, and make sure there are no sharp edges. Be aware of toxic substances used in the manufacture of toys, such as lead paints and chemicals used to make plastic more flexible.

AGE-SPECIFIC TOYS

0 - 3 months

Just after birth the baby sees only in black and white, with shades of grey, gradually developing colour vision. Decorate the nursery and provide books, toys and stuffed animals in strong contrasting colours. As the baby begins to learn to fix his gaze and then to track moving objects, he will be fascinated by mobiles, which stimulate focus and help to co-ordinate his eye movements. There is no substitute for the human face! The baby starts to recognise faces and stare at them for a few seconds from as young as 2 - 3 weeks, so talk, smile, make funny faces, but do so close to his face as he can't yet focus at a distance.

3 - 6 months

By 6 months, the baby has achieved fairly good control of his eye movements and is learning to manipulate smaller objects. He shows an intense interest in his own hands and feet. He is starting to grasp for toys and throw them with some accuracy, so offer brightly coloured toys with various textures, and keep them within reach. As well as developing eye teaming and hand-eye coordination, toys that make a sound as they are grasped begin to encourage an awareness of cause and effect. Still fascinated by faces, mirrors are fun, stimulating, and help the baby learn to focus. Show him books with simple pictures of familiar objects in bright colours.

6 - 12 months

The baby can now look for objects that have been hidden from view, and will enjoy games like "peek-a-boo". His manipulation of objects is constantly improving as his hand-eye coordination develops, so give him toys that he can take apart, stack and fit into each other, for example blocks and nesting cups. Pouring water from one container to another at bath time is an activity that is both enjoyable and stimulating. As he continues to show an interest in books, allow him to turn the pages of cardboard books, and to choose the pictures that attract his attention.

Toddlers

Toddlers are little explorers who learn by doing. Their eye muscles have gained strength, and they begin to refine their visual perceptual skills. Toys and activities such as shape sorters, building activities, simple puzzles, play dough, paints and crayons help to develop eye teaming, depth perception, visual discrimination and fine coordination. Toys that reflect the world around them, such as toy animals, household objects, cars, trains and dress-up clothes stimulate the imagination, encourage problem-solving, and give them the opportunity to practice new skills at their own pace.

Preschool

The preschool years are a time to sharpen the child's pre-literacy skills. Visual discrimination and memory are facilitated by simple board games and card games. Visual motor skills continue to improve through activities involving cutting, pasting, painting and moulding with clay or play dough. Encourage the child to look at the book while you are reading to him, and to begin to match letters. Imaginative play becomes more sophisticated, and continues to be a source of stimulation for learning and consolidating numerous skills.