The Lucknow Sentinel, 1986-12-03, Page 52Page 1$ Christmas Gift Guide
Christmas toys
With thousands of toys to choose
from during the holiday season, one
wonders how adults are able to
select the right toy for a child. Two
helpful Ups are to do some
homework before shopping for
Christmas and also to treat the child °
you are buying for as an intelligent
consumer.
"It is important to watch children
play and get an understanding of
what they enjoy," says a senior vice-
president in charge of product con-
cepts for a well known toy manufac-
turer. "Children do have individual
=I_
re an adventure f
preferences, with the general pat-
terns of thenr family's life, values
and behavior, all variables that af-
fect a youngster's likes and
dislikes."
As one of the cif untry's leading
manufacturers of toys, the firm has
to know what makes a toy fun. It
stresses that successful toys like
Barbie, Care Bears and the Mask
line are not simply an adult's idea of
what will appeal to children.
Children from age two and up are
capable of discriminating among
alternatives says the vice-president
of the firm "Just as children can
decide which playmates and food
they prefer, their bility to select
toys is equa lly sharp. If a child sees
a toyfire engine on television and
smies in apprval, pay attention; in
the fantasy world of toys, your little
boy or girl is the expert," he added.
A term often used among toy
designers is play value. "A toy that
fails •to excite the child's imagination
seldom becomes a best seller," he
notes. "This is why Play -Doh is
among the standards of the industry.
Children can build a castle with it,
or a house, a bridge or a new friend.
It lets a person create. That's very
important.
Top manufacturers spend a great
deal of time and money researching
the age range listed on toy packages.
As a rule, you should follow these
recommendations for maximum
safety and play -value. However, a
child's individual ability, strength,
attention span and intelligence can-
not be ignored.
Parental/adult values don't always
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r parents
fit in the world of toys: Parents
shouli a 't passlong their obsession
bout completing things. An adult
may drive n ils into wood to make a
bookcase. But a youngster, who has
no objective in mind, may simply en-
joy the act of hammering nails.
Research has shown that children
who play with toys often become
more creative and imaginative than
those whose exposure to toys is more
limited. Moms and dads who are
able to recall their feelings about
their own childhood can com-
municate better with children and
make a more significant contribution
to their development.
This parental involvementwill
also help the adult consumer and
child to work together inpreparing, a
Christmas list and deciding which
items are the best toy value. A blend
of knowing what your child enjoys
playingwith, what's in the
marketplace and what they would
like can guarantee a big smile on his
or her face when the presents are
opened.
Plastic ornaments dangling.
from the tree couldbe a hazard
The Christmas Season is upon us.
In many towns and cities, the Santa
Claus parade has ushered Santa to
his throne in local department stores
and malls. At home, the festive hus-
tle and bustle has begun, and
children are excited as the yearly
ceremony of "putting up the, tree" is
drawing near.
"It is a wonderful time for both
children and adults alike," says
Marybelle Ford, Program Co-
ordinator of the Lung Association in
Huron -Perth. "But in.the midst of
happiness, we would like to warn
parents that possible tragedy lurks
m the form of the brightly coloured
plastic ornaments dangling;from the
tree."
The dangling ornament often en-
tices the toddler to grab it, put it in
his mouth, only to realize that it isn't
candy. Surprised, the youngster tries
to -spit it out. But it cracks, and a
portion of the plastic lodges in bis
windpipe or as aspirated, (inhaled)
into his lungs. This is a possible
tragedy in the midst of fun. Aspira-
tion of foreign objects is a leading
cause of death and injury among
Children under six years of age.
How can you help to keep
preschoolers safe? The Lung
Association suggests: * do not place
tiny ornaments on low tree boughs
t
where a: youngster can grab them;
*tell Santa Claus to bring presents
that do not have bottorf eyes or tiny
car wheels that can come loose;
*,keep. small "finger food" suchas
peanuts and popcorn off, low coffee
tables when you entertain. Food also
„ can be aspirated.
Children learn to share.
Most child-care authorities agree that it is
important for youngsters to learn how to
give and share at an early age.
The holiday season presents parents with
an excellent opportunity to teach their
children the enjoyment and pleasure of giv-
ing gifts — not just receiving them. Gift giv-
ing is an integral part of social communica-
tion and is a tangible extension of friendship
and love.
There are a variety of presents for young
children to select from that are appropriate
and ihexpensive choices. Children should be
encouraged to use their imagination when
choosing giftsfor friends and family.
Homemade gifts made by children
themselves, such as baked goods, arts and
crafts projects or original poems and stories
will be appreciated choices and also allow
children to express their creativity. .
Store-bought presents are also excellent,
particularly if they are purchased directly
by the child with his or her allowance
money.