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Choosing Gifts
For Children Requires Consideration
Holiday Feature
Story
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DENTON —
Visions of sugarplums aren’t the only things that dance
in a child’s head this time of the year. Some children
dream of opening their Christmas presents to find the latest,
most popular toy to hit the market. Parents should consider
more than popularity when choosing their child’s gift,
however.
Dr. Diane Karther,
assistant professor of early childhood development and education
at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, says safety and
usability are key factors to consider when purchasing gifts
for children.
“Brand-name
toys are scrutinized by the manufacturers and by government
agencies, and all are tuned-in carefully to the safety issue,”
Dr. Karther said. Most toys feature a recommended age range
for that product, and Dr. Karther said that provides a good
guide for parents.
How the toy can
be used is another consideration when buying gifts.
“Toys should
have broad usability,” Dr. Karther said. “A toy
that does one thing at the press of one button won’t
hold a lot of attention for an infant.” However, she
said, play centers that produce music or pop-up characters
at the press of a button or the turn of a wheel allow the
child to be involved in different ways.
Children of pre-school
age need toys that will feed their imagination, Dr. Karther
said. Items such as toy farms or gas stations allow the child
to make up his or her own story. Software programs that allow
children to draw or create their own stories also make good
gifts, she said.
Some adults focus on educational toys for younger children,
but Dr. Karther favors toys that stimulate creativity and
imagination.
“It’s
important to just let children play with their toys, because
therein lies the learning,” she said.
Children typically
develop their own interests as they get older, and gifts that
reflect those interests may be appropriate. Kits that cover
a variety of interests are available, from model cars or airplanes
to jewelry-making kits. Some museum stores have items such
as nature discovery and archaeology kits. Children who are
interested in sports may appreciate receiving items related
to their particular sport.
Dr. Karther urges
parents to put some of the toys away after Christmas in order
to keep young children from being overwhelmed. “Store
some toys, and from time to time, rotate them out,”
she said.
Dr. Karther also
urges parents to join their children in playing with toys.
“Every survey
of children shows that what they really want from adults is
time,” she said.
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For Further
Information Contact:
Karen Treat
Senior Copywriter
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: ktreat@twu.edu
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