Daycare centers provide a variety of toys for the children in their care. Toddler toy needs differ from children of preschool age. Preschoolers that only play with toddler toys become bored and unchallenged. Toddlers playing with preschool toys risk exposure to choking hazards. Offering the right toys for children in daycare centers creates a better care environment.

Choose age appropriate toys. Consider the developmental level of the children. Children between one and three years of age can use pull toys, large building blocks and large writing utensils. These toys enhance the development of their motor skills. Three- and four-year-olds have increased fine motor skills and handle little pieces in games and puzzles without frustration. Their increased large motor skills allow for greater outdoor play using balls, tricycles and jump ropes. Check the toy package for the manufacturer's suggested age for the toy.

Provide educational and learning toys that encourage cognitive thinking. Mechanical devices, such as wind-up toys, encourage one-year-olds to understand how things work. Encourage the minds of two-year-olds with shape sorters, easy puzzles and building blocks. Children from three to five years of age need more challenging toys to help them learn. Choose toys that encourage creativity such as clay and paint sets. Age-appropriate building toys promote reasoning skills.

Find toys that promote fantasy play. Costumes, such as capes and dresses, provide opportunities to play act. Avoid wigs and hats; although fun for dress up play, anything worn on the head risks the spread of lice. Children love pretend play. Build a small kitchen with plastic cups, plates and bowls. Use large toy appliances. Plastic fruit and food adds realism to the play.

Find toys that clean easily. During flu and cold season, viruses spread rapidly. Cleaning toys after play lowers the spread of disease. Plastic and wood toys sanitize quicker than fabric toys which need to be hand-washed or cleaned in a washing machine. Toys with hard surfaces can be wiped clean.

Pick hardy toys over delicately made toys. Toys in daycare centers withstand much more play that those in homes. Multiple children handling toys on a daily basis reduce the lifespan of the toys. Check toys often for breakage and dispose of any broken items.

Avoid toys with small parts if taking care of children under three years of age. These children put everything into their mouths. Small parts become a choking risk to small children. Always read the toy package for choking hazard warnings. Toys with small parts that can accidentally come off will have this warning as well.

Choose toys that promote sharing and cooperative play. Toys, such as blocks, wooden train sets and plastic kitchenware, promote children playing together. Avoid single, highly coveted items, such as only one action figure or doll. This can cause friction among children learning to share.

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