Toy Project Part 2 - Final Presentation

Toy Project

Your Name:

PSY201: Child Development, Post University

Professor Name:

Date:

Sam ple

Silly Shape Sorter

The Silly Shape Sorter addresses cognitive

development for children ages 18 months

through 4 years. This dynamic toy contains

shapes and colors that will improve physical

and visual skills in just one simple box. The

shape sorter encourages your child to

strengthen their hand-eye coordination, fine

motor skills, and problem-solving skills while

also continuing to expand their vocabulary.

The bright colors and fun patterns will help

children develop various cognitive skills, such

as shape recognition, color differentiation,

hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving.

Children's play, social interactions, turn-

taking, attention and listening, language

understanding and use, and fine motor skills

can all benefit from our shape sorter.

Sam ple

First Literature

Review

Finding The Missing Piece: Blocks, Puzzles, And Shapes Fuel School

Readiness by Verdine, et al. (2014)

Building your child's cognitive development lays the groundwork for gaining

school-related skills. As a result, their vocabulary, proficiency, pre-reading

skills, memory, and concentration, to name a few, will improve. These are

essential skills for academic success. This article discusses spatial skills and

how they relate to cognitive development. We can use visual-spatial skills to

perceive visual information in the environment, represent it internally,

integrate it with previous experiences, derive meaning and understanding, and

manipulate and transform those perceptions. It discusses information

regarding the progression of cognition skills and how it corresponds with

schools, families, toy manufacturers, and children themselves. It offers an in-

depth look at how learning organically promotes the cognitive improvement

and best prepares children for school. The authors acknowledge that

electronics play a significant role in our everyday lives, but they are also the

cause of less learning for preschool-age children. This article demonstrated

how much influence adults have on the early development of spatial skills

(Verdine et al., 2014).

Sam ple

Summary of Key Relevant

Findings For the First Literature

Review

Finding the Missing Piece: Blocks, Puzzles, and Shapes Fuel School

Readiness by Verdine, et al.

▪ This paper concentrates on why it is so essential to provide a “spatial

education” to young children, discusses materials and methods for

delivering that education, and makes recommendations about how to

provide spatial training to improve school readiness for science,

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects (Verdine,

Golinkoff, Hirsh-Pasek, & Newcombe, 2014).

▪ Experiences with spatial toys such as blocks, puzzles, and shape games,

and the spatial words and gestures they evoke from adults, have a

significant influence on the early development of spatial skills

▪ In addition to providing evidence that spatial skills are likely influenced

by puzzle building, this study further establishes the link between spatial

and mathematical skills.

▪ Several agencies and organizations have become aware of the

importance of spatial skills for success in a range of STEM subjects.

However, much research is still needed to determine the best methods for

implementing “spatial education” in preschools (Verdine et al., 2014,).

Verdine, B. N., Golinkoff, R. M., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Newcombe, N. S. (2014).

Finding the missing piece: Blocks, puzzles, and shapes fuel school readiness.

Trends in Neuroscience and Education, 3(1), 7-13.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tine.2014.02.005

Sam ple

Second Literature

Review

Using Toys to Support Infant-Toddler Learning and

Development by Gabriel Guyton

This article relates to cognitive development as it gives insight into

understanding development and toys (Guyton, 2011). The author

highlights how to choose and utilize toys to support cognitive

development (Guyton, 2011). Parents, caregivers, and educators

should be intentional about the toys they offer to children, regardless

of whether they are homemade or store-bought. For example, many

toddlers enjoy using modeling materials and props such as

playdough. This article also encourages safety in play and examines

the numerous safety issues specific to different developmental

stages. While toys are essential instruments in facilitating a child’s

development, developmentally appropriate toys should consider toys

tools with which teachers can engage children (Guyton, 2011)..

Sam ple

Summary of Key Relevant Findings For the Second Literature

Review

Using Toys to Support Infant-Toddler Learning and Development

By Gabriel Guyton

According to Guyton (2011) thinking skills, or the ability to process information to

comprehend how the world works, are a necessary part of a child's cognitive

development. Different thinking skills, such as imitation, cause, effect, problem-solving,

and symbolic thinking, are naturally practiced through toys and play.

When a teacher or parent/caregiver shows a child how to drum on pots and pans, the

child imitates and quickly learns to make noise. Allowing the child to play allows them to

practice imitation, experience cause and effect, and have fun learning how the world

works. Toys are an essential component of development because they are the primary

vehicle for early childhood education. Toys can be easily made by parents and teachers

using materials that are readily available in most communities.

When used correctly, readily available materials can stimulate play and development in

all domains. Toys are indispensable tools for a child's cognitive development, but they

should also be thought of as tools that teachers can use to engage children.

Guyton, G. (2011). Using Toys to Support Infant-Toddler Learning and

Development. Educate: Bank Street College of Education research, publications,

creative works.

https://educate.bankstreet.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=faculty-

staff

Sam ple

Copyright ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Third Literature

Review

Best toys for children’s development? Hint: They are

not electronic or costly, by Alan L. Mendelsohn, M.D.,

FAAP and Aleeya Healey, M.D.

This article relates to cognitive development as it includes

resources on selecting toys and encouraging healthy

growth ( Mendelsohn & Healey,2021). The authors suggest

that toys like blocks and puzzles can help with fine motor

skills, cognitive and language development, and early

spatial and math skills ( Mendelsohn & Healey,2021). .

The authors recommend toys that can help with gross

motor development, self-regulation, and peer interaction (

Mendelsohn & Healey,2021). . The article includes

important advice for parents for choosing toys that will

grow with the child, encourage cognitive exploration and

problem-solving while sparking a child's imagination, such

as puppets and blocks ( Mendelsohn & Healey,2021). .

What I found most helpful was that the article dispelled

myths concerning electronic learning apps. Learning

should be organic and not electronic!

Sam ple

Summary of Key Relevant

Findings For the Third

Literature Review

Best toys for children’s development? Hint: They are not electronic or costly, Alan L. Mendelsohn, M.D., FAAP , and Aleeya Healey, M.D.

• Parents are frequently overwhelmed with media messaging and claims about how the latest “educational” toy or app will make their child more intelligent or more prepared for school.

• At the same time, accelerating scientific advances have demonstrated the critical importance of early brain and child development across the lifespan.

• It has been suggested that interactive media may promote learning; However, there is no evidence to show that possible benefits match those of active, social, creative, hands-on, and pretend play by parents, educators, and children with traditional toys.

• The article suggests limiting screen time based on American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations ( Mendelsohn & Healey,2021).

• Toys like blocks and puzzles can help with fine motor skills, cognitive and language development, as well as early spatial and math skills. Because of the typical rule negotiations that take place when using toys like balls in physical activity, they can help with gross motor development, self-regulation, and peer interaction.

Sam ple

Function/ Developmental Relevance

The Silly Shape Sorter

(14x14x12.3cm/5.5x5.5x4.83in (LxWxH) is

an incredibly versatile toy that will grow

with the child as they grow and become

more independent. The cube shaped sorter

is a great learning tool at any

developmental stage. The function of this

classic toy classic helps your child learn how

to put three dimensional geometric

shapes into the corresponding shaped sized

holes in the sorter. This ultimate shape

sorter includes 16 chunky, vibrantly colored

shapes that drop into the natural-finish

hardwood cube with a satisfying clunk.

Sam ple

Functional/ Developmental

Relevance

The Silly Shape Sorter’s main objective

is to place the shape pieces in the

appropriate holes in the sorter. When a

child has placed all the pieces in the

sorter, he or she can begin again by

opening the lid. Sam ple

Functional/ Developmental

Relevance

Shape sorters can support shape

identification and color practice, as well

as motor skill development and

problem-solving skills. Older children

can work on improving their speed once

they have mastered the shape sorting

toy.

Sam ple

Marketability

The target range for The Silly Shape Sorter is boys

and girls aged 6 through 36 months, and could

potentially be marketed to parents/caregivers, nursery

schools, daycares, gyms, and medical offices. Sam ple

Marketability

Shape sorters have additional advantages in

addition to the obvious benefit of exposing

children to different shapes and colors. Shape

sorting toys support children in improving

their finger dexterity and fine motor skills.

This aids in handwriting and the use of

scissors. Shape sorters also teach young

toddlers about cause and effect as well as

object permanence. They are a classic toy that

never goes out of style.

Sam ple

Marketability

The Silly Shape Sorter is a classic toy that can

be enjoyed by many children. Rather than the

distracting lights and sounds of today’s toys,

its simple, solid construction coupled with

bright colors and creative shapes make it a toy

that can be passed down. The Silly Shape

Sorter is an improvement over existing models

already on the market because it is

sustainably made, from eco-friendly, natural

materials, rather than most plastic models

offered.

Sam ple

Bias

The Silly Shape Sorter is lovingly made for all

children, no matter the gender, race, or

religion. Moving forward, I think the toy would

benefit from braille for children with vision

impairments. Another feature I feel would be

useful is listing numbers and colors in

different languages.

Sam ple

Bias

To meet the needs of children with disabilities, it

would be beneficial to place wooden handles on the

shapes to make gripping the shapes easier. One

way to modify The Silly Shape Sorter to meet the

needs of a child with varying abilities is to reduce

the number of shapes the child must sort. Another

idea is to cover some of the shaped holes with tape

or even a hand to make it easier for a child to find

the hole in which the shape fits. I would also add a

place to Velcro the bottom of the toy so parents

would have the option to secure it if necessary.

Sam ple

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Silly Shape Sorter would be

a great toy for any growing child’s collection.

Shape sorters are classic, time-honored

educational toys that encourage children to

learn about shapes and colors while also

developing fine motor and problem-solving

skills.

Sam ple

References

Verdine, B. N., Golinkoff, R. M., Hirsh-Pasek, K., &

Newcombe, N. S. (2014). Finding the missing piece:

Blocks, puzzles, and shapes fuel school

readiness. Trends in Neuroscience and Education, 3(1),

7-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tine.2014.02.005

Guyton, G. (2011). Using Toys to Support Infant-

Toddler Learning and Development. Educate: Bank

Street College of Education research, publications,

creative

works. https://educate.bankstreet.edu/cgi/viewcontent.c

gi?article=1006&context=faculty-staff

Mendelsohn, Alan L., and Healey (2021). “Best Toys

for Children's Development? Hint: They Are Not

Electronic or Costly.” American Academy of Pediatrics,

www.aappublications.org/news/2018/12/03/toys120318.

Sam ple