Reference no: EM133603323

Homework

Visit a toy store, toy department or website. Using the information at the end of this homework, make a list of acceptable and unacceptable toys for 4- and 5-year-old children. Consider culture, gender and challenges faced by children with special needs. List five toys in each category of acceptable and unacceptable according to your evaluation. Be specific with toy name and manufacturer. Answer the questions in the directions. These questions cover the age and skill of the child, hazards, development enhancement, varied use and interest.

Task

List five toys in each category of acceptable and unacceptable according to your evaluation. Consider culture, gender and challenges faced by children with special needs. Be specific with toy name and manufacturer. Answer the following questions for each item. You will have ten items total. Remember you are evaluating toys for 4- or 5-year-old.

I. Scrutinize the toy or play equipment thoroughly, and read labels and instructions carefully.

A. For what age child is the item intended?

B. Are special skills or knowledge needed to use the item?

C. Is the item appropriate given the child's large and/or small motor abilities, cognitive abilities and interests?

D. Is it made of safe nontoxic materials?

E. Is it manufactured by a reputable firm? Are there any recalls or history of recalls?

F. Does the item do what the manufacturer claims it will do?

G. Is the item durable?

II. Examine the item for hazards, such as paints, sharp or protruding points or edges, small parts, or flammable materials.

III. Determine what aspect of development is enhanced through use of the item.

A. Physical development: large motor; small motor; prehension; pincer movements; eye-hand, hand-mouth, and eye-foot coordination.

B. Cognitive development: exploration, curiosity, questions, solving problems, forming concepts, connecting ideas or actions, cause- and - effect understanding, making associations, further inquiry and new ideas.

C. Language and literacy development: conversation; labels; new concepts; questions; interest in symbols; vocabulary and creative use of language through rhymes, storytelling, role playing, songs and poetry.

D. Psychosocial: pure enjoyment, therapy, symbolic play, sense of self-sufficiency and self confidence and prosocial understandings.

IV. Determine whether the item can be used in a variety of ways and whether it will sustain interest over an extended period of time.

V. Consider the culture, gender of all children and challenges faced by children with special needs using the items.