Principles of Choosing Playthings

Age Appropriateness

  • Young children often involve in functional play (to gain movement and coordination), and gradually they involve in constructive play (intentionally construct something) and cognitive play (solve problems, do sorting, matching, categories, sequencing, etc.)

  • Playthings need to be relevant to children’s abilities and interests

Beneficial to Children’s Learning and Development

  • Cognitive Development (Playthings such as blocks, Legos, matching games, letter board, letter matching game, letter spelling game, etc.)

  • Motor development (Playthings such as threading, screwing, play dough, etc.)

  • Self and Social development (Playthings such as kitchen play set, board game, chess game, etc.)

  • Moral development (Playthings such as board game, chess game, family/social play, etc.)

  • Aesthetic development (Playthings such as loose parts for artwork

Relevant to Curriculum and Activity Design

  • Playthings need to be related to the curriculum themes (e.g., Transportation, Myself, Family, etc.)

  • Playthings need to be related to the teaching and learning purposes (e.g., to train grasping and cutting skills, to count from 1-10, to manage the drawing tools, etc.)

Provide Opportunities for Learning through Exploration and Manipulation

  • As children learn through using senses, such as looking, listening, touching, and smelling

  • Playthings such as observing specimen with magnifier, exploring the nature of magnets, discovering the rolling objects, etc.

Safety Issues of Playthings

  • Choking Hazard

  • Potential Injuries from Easily Broken

  • Hazardous Materials (e.g., paint toxic)

References

  • Bresson, L. M., & King, M. (2022). Preschoolers at play: Choosing the right stuff for learning & development. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
  • ‍Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department - Toys and Children’s Products Safety. (n.d.). https://www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/consumer-protection/toys-safety/index.html
  • Hoorn, J. V. (2011). Play at the center of the curriculum (5th ed.). Pearson.
  • 周淑惠 (2013): 《遊戲 vs. 課程:幼兒遊戲定位與實施》,台北: 心理出版社股份有限公司。