Toy and Water Safety
Dr. Ryan Shelton, ND - Whole Body Health

Toys

Provide children with safe, affordable toys that are developmentally appropriate for your child.  Remember that the most educational toy is one that fosters the interaction of an adult with a child in supportive, unconditional play.  Toys are never substitutes for the attention of devoted caregivers.  Avoid toys that discourage children from using their imaginations.  Social, emotional, and cognitive skills are developed and enhanced as children use play to work out problems.  Make a thoughtful selection of toys and remember that a good toy does not have to be trendy or expensive.  Use books, magazines, and pictures to play together.  Be skeptical of educational or developmental claims made by advertisers, especially product claims of intellectual enhancement.  Remember that some toys promote violence or negative social, racial, or gender stereotypes.  It is recommended that you limit video game and computer use.  Total screen time, including television and computer use, should be less than 2 hours per day.  Children younger than 5 years should play with computer or video games only if they are developmentally appropriate, and they should be accompanied by the parent or caregiver.

If you have more than one child, toys should be safe for all ages of children.  Below is a list of specific advice:

  1. Do not provide small toys or toys with easily dislodged parts that fir in an infant’s or toddler’s mouth.
  2. Do not provide toys with loose string, ribbons, or cords.
  3. Do not provide toys with sharp edges.
  4. Do not provide toys that make loud or shrill noises.
  5. Provide only toys made of nontoxic material.
  6. Always store toys safely, and avoid toy chests with lids.
  7. Toys should be engaging and encourage creativity.

For a complete list of appropriate and safe toys, see the Gooden and Bronson resource, Which Toy for Which Child.

Water

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children.  It does not take a large body of water for drowning to occur.  An unsupervised child can drown very quickly in only two inches of water.  Taking the appropriate precautions as a parent can help protect your child from accidental drowning.  The following suggestions are made by your doctor:

  • Never leave a child unsupervised in or near the water, even if he/she can swim
  • Avoid keeping buckets and other containers that can accumulate water where children can access them
  • Enclose ponds and pools
  • Empty wading pools when not in use
  • Never leave an infant or toddler unsupervised while bathing them
  • Never allow children to dive in water less than nine feet deep or to dive in any area where the parent is unfamiliar with the water’s depth or conditions beneath the surface
  • Swim in designated areas where lifeguards are stationed
  • Learn how to perform CPR on infants and children