American Government Policy on Child Development Psychology

 

The government of the United States has begun a new program that aims at making sure that there is support for optimum child development. This program is one that involves sending gift boxes, containing toys, to families with newborn children throughout their early lives. The intention of this process is to ensure that these individuals are supported in such a way that ensures the promotion of their development at these early stages (Westeyn et al., 2012). There is the need to consider the developmental needs of these children prior in order to ensure that they are provided with the toys that they need to enhance their development during different stages. This paper considers the types of toys that should be included in gift boxes that are sent to families with children at the early developmental stages.

Following birth, babies will often end up developing differently, which ensures that there is the promotion of a scenario where a diversity of things might happen. Under such circumstances, it becomes critical to ensure that they are provided with toys in their gift boxes that are fairly harmless and unlikely to cause them injury (Caldas-Coulthard & Van Leeuwen, 2001). Thus, items such as cloth dolls, puppets that do not have any detachable parts, stuffed animals, rattles or sound-makers, and floor activity quilts (Stephens, 2007). These items are pertinent because at this period of development, the children involved will often seek to grasp things and respond to a diversity of stimuli, including loud noises (Guyton, 2011). The toys are therefore appropriate because they allow for a consideration of the highly sensitive period of development that these children are undergoing and the need for their safety at all times of play. This is a period where children do not have much awareness of their environment and accidents might end up happening, meaning that the toys have to seek to enhance the senses of the child during this stage, as seen through the use of rattles to attract their attention.

When children turn two, they are often quite curious and willing to learn new things. This is significant because it allows these individuals to make sure that they undertake even more activities than would be the case with children younger than themselves (Bradley, 1985). Therefore, the toys that these individuals are provided in their gift boxes should be aimed at enhancing their learning process. Such items as push-pull toys, board books, stacking toys, and piece puzzles, should be included in the gift box. This is because during this stage, children are extremely interested in vocabulary at a regular basis and will often repeat the words that they hear. Moreover, while they may still depend on their parents or caregivers, during this stage, children are more independent now and because of this, the toys recommended are appropriate in enhancing their independence while at the same time ensuring that they are prevented from getting frustrated; a trait that is common for children in  this stage of development as well. In this way, two year olds can be provided with the toys that allow them to overcome some of the developmental issues that they might have during that particular stage of development.

When children reach the age of five, they are often more interested in a diversity of activities, both physical and creative (Carter & Levy, 1988). A consequence of this situation is that there is the need for them to be provided with such toys as pretend-play toys, wheeled toys, clay-like modeling materials, lego bricks, as well as simple card and board games. These toys are significant because children during this developmental stage are often curious about the way that world works and they will often undertake to obtain pieces of knowledge which they put together as a means of understanding concepts (Johnson, 1998). Furthermore, they are interested in writing, reading, letters, and numbers, which is significant because it is during this period that they can be encouraged to read by themselves. They are also highly confident in their physical skills, meaning that they will often seek to ensure that they undertake more outdoor activities such as playing with their friends. Children in this stage of development will often play in a cooperative manner, which is significant because it allows them to socialize with others.

In conclusion, the use of toys as a means of enhancing early developmental stages in children is a pertinent step in making sure that these individuals are aided in interacting with their environment. This is especially the case when it comes to the way that these children often undergo different developmental stages that require age-specific and appropriate toys in order to enhance their experience. Thus, from birth, the children involved will often seek to grasp things and respond to a diversity of stimuli, including loud noises, which require that toys focusing on safety are provided. This should be followed by toys that enable them to learn new things, and later, toys that ensure a diversity of activities, both physical and creative.