Question

STEP 1: Either go to a toy store or find some toys online. Pick toys that would be appropriate for each of the following ages:

• 6 months old
• 4 years old
• 8 years old

STEP 2: Describe the toy and its purpose.

STEP 3: Describe both Piaget’s and Erikson’s stages of development at this age and explain why the toys you chose are appropriate for that age group. Add supporting evidence from your text. Each explanation should be in a paragraph or two between 100-150 words.

Criteria	Ratings			Points
6 month toy	Describes the toy, its purpose, and describes developmental theories (both Piaget’s and Erikson’s) that support the appropriateness of the toy for 6 month olds	Partially describes the toy, its purpose, and describes developmental theories (both Piaget’s and Erikson’s) that support the appropriateness of the toy for 6 month olds	Little or weak explanation of the toy, its purpose, and appropriate developmental theories	__/7
4 year old toy	Describes the toy, its purpose, and describes developmental theories (both Piaget’s and Erikson’s) that support the appropriateness of the toy for 4 year olds	Partially describes the toy, its purpose, and describes developmental theories (both Piaget’s and Erikson’s) that support the appropriateness of the toy for 4 year olds	Little or weak explanation of the toy, its purpose, and appropriate developmental theories	__/7
8 year old toy	Describes the toy, its purpose, and describes developmental theories (both Piaget’s and Erikson’s) that support the appropriateness of the toy for 8 year olds	Partially describes the toy, its purpose, and describes developmental theories (both Piaget’s and Erikson’s) that support the appropriateness of the toy for 8 year olds	Little or weak explanation of the toy, its purpose, and appropriate developmental theories

Answer 1

6 Month old Toy- The toy can be a some puzzles, rhyme time , stacking , peekaboo etc. These toys would match with their developmental characteristics. They start crawling and sit up, start babbling to use some sounds/ words etc.

According to Piaget's theory of Cognitive development ^ month is Sensori-motor stage; where the child understand the world by touching, licking and feeling. Colorful and moving objects catches their attention.So at this phase whatever they get they put it in their mouth so the toy what you buy should be considerable big in size and there should not be any danger even if they put it mouth. According to Erik-Ericson it a trust V/S Mistrust stage. - if the needs of the child is taken care well it develop child develop trust and feel secure and develop a sense of security, otherwise if the needs of the child is not taken care it develop mis trust and is leading to insecurity. Hence the toy should be comfortable and appealing, it should not create any fear or anxiety in child. it should have an appealing color and pleasing sound.

4 Year Old Toy- 4 year old child would enjoy the company of other children. Social play is more active during this stage. the common toys can be like Zingo-bingo which helps in language development and recognition skills. Interactive toys like globe, construction kits etc. can be given which will help them to develop multiple social skills. According to Piaget this is stage is pre-operational stage in which specifically they are in pre-conceptual stage. They can play symbolically, better language skills and egocentrism, concept of serialization and conservation. So one can keep all these characteristics while choosing a toy. According to Erikson- 4 year old passes through Autonomy v/s shame and doubt as he or she just reaches 4 yr old and from 4 year onwards Initiative v/s shame and doubt. They involve in make-belief paly. The toy should help them to develop autonomy and initiativness- should leave scope for the child to take up lead role in  play with his peers, and develop social skills.

8 year old toy: its a concrete operational stage according to Piaget. Children develop classification, serialization, reversibility etc during this phase according to Piaget. So the toy can be Ideal Magic Suitcase- help them to develop fine motor skills and memory techniques Rubik's cube- helps them to develop imagination, reversibility and conservation etc.