On Wednesday we discussed what to buy the children you care for this holiday season. Click here to see our suggestions.In this month's issue of Be the Best Nanny Newsletter we recommend nannies and au pairs choose safe, age-appropriate gifts that encourage creative play rather than passive play for children.
Instead of choosing electronic toys, electronic games, and DVDs, give gifts that from the child's interests and abilities. The best way to do that is by choosing simple toys like: blocks, costumes, puppets, balls, sand and shovels, clay, stuffed animals, and generic dolls which invite children to create their own scenes. It’s the process of using their imagination, literacy, or physical exercise that’s important in creative play.
Giving children safe toys should be your number one priority. World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (WATCH), works to educate the public about life-threatening toys and other children’s products, including children’s furniture, clothing and playground equipment. Each year WATCH provides their Top 10 Worst Toy List.
Here the WATCH 2009 Top 10 Worst Toy List:
1. DISNEY-PIXAR WALL-E FOAM ROCKET LAUNCHER
Manufacturer or Distributor: Disney/Hoop Retail Stores, LLC
2. MOON BOARD POGO BOARD
Manufacturer or Distributor: Big Time Toys, LLC
3. CURIOUS BABY CURIOUS GEORGE COUNTING MY FIRST BOOK OF NUMBERS
Manufacturer or Distributor: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
4. THE DARK KNIGHT BATMAN FIGURE
Manufacturer or Distributor: Mattel
5. X-MEN ORIGINS SLASHIN' ACTION WOLVERINE
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro
6. LOTS TO LOVE BABIES – MINI NURSERY
Manufacturer or Distributor: JC Toys Group, Inc.
7. JUST KIDZ JUNIOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Manufacturer or Distributor: Kmart Corporation
8. CAT "RUGGED MINI"
Manufacturer or Distributor: Toy State International Limited
9. PUCCI PUPS MALTESE
Manufacturer or Distributor: Battat Incorporated
10. SPY GEAR VIPER-BLASTER
Manufacturer or Distributor: Wild Planet Entertainment, Inc.
What toys have you found to be unsafe for children?
You have got to be kidding me everyone has those moon board pogo boards. It's so obvious they are dangerous!
ReplyDeleteA.K.
When I first saw this on the news I went online and could still find all of the toys on the list in stores. Today I could not find any of them. But still other versions of same toys are dangerous too.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Silver Spring MD
Jumpropes drive me crazy with little kids. We really have to supervise children with jumpropes. I have seen kids whipped. I see them around their necks. I see them make kids trip. Supervise supervise supervise!
ReplyDeleteSteph in Ohio