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Show WOMAN'S WORLD Fit Toys to Children's Needsand Choices watching daddy maneuver a balloon or a quacking duck. Within a very short time he'll enjoy brandishing rattles himself and will appreciate the varied shapes and sounds which American toy makers have been developing through a watchful study of infants' activities. Sitting up is the next milestone; you may then introduce baby to cuddly animals and dolls. Then, when teething starts, the cherub becomes be-comes an enthusiastic customer for toys to bite. You'll find a variety of plastic and wood rings, beads and other shapes designed scientifically to meet this specific play need. Textures are the next interest. It's smart to have some of smooth plastic like a rattle, then a plush bear for contrast and a yielding rubber duck that's fun to squeeze. It's important, when choosing for these very young children, to avoid anything which might strain the baby's muscles. Make certain the toys are lightweight. Never hava small parts that can be pried loose with baby fingers to be swallowed. American toy makers choose paints and dyes that are safe for inveterate suckers, so there's no danger of the child getting lead poisoning. By Ertta Haley TOU'VE HEARD about the father who brings a fancy electric train to the hospital for his newborn new-born son, and have probably thought it quite a joke. Experts, however, tell us the same type of things happens hap-pens practically all the time when parents buy toys for children, and then the story ceases to be a joke and becomes somewhat pitiful. Mother buys a fancy doll for the three year old daughter, probably thinking this is the doll she would always have wanted and never had. Result? She gets frantic every time the precious doll is dragged along the sidewalk or goes into the wash bowl for a dunking. Another question bewildered parents par-ents often ask takes the following form: "Jackie has so many toys, and such nice things, too, but he never seems interested in them." True, the child may have a lot of toys as well as the instinct for play, but the toys are probably above his age level. It's natural for parents to think their youngsters smarter than they are, and this is particularly true in purchasing toys. Those who know say the adults who buy toys overestimate overes-timate their youngsters ability by about two years. If a toy is too advanced for the child, It gets relegated to the bottom of the bin, no matter how pretty or pretty much of a necessity for the five year old girl while the boy of three can fall pretty hard for a tricycle. Most toys are pretty much standardized as to age groups, and you can't go wrong if you use well tested information. Select toys to fit ... . expensive or clever it is. When the toy is too nice such as an expensive doll, dishes, train or auto, parents get spastic at what the child may do to injure it, and this may make strain at playtime which should be a free and happy activity. Scientific Study Used In Toy Making The situation need not be as desperate des-perate as it sounds. Lots of study has gone into making toys and fitting each age and activity group. Consult the age group for your child and select from the suggested list I'm going to give. Study your child and his activities and interests in-terests and get further clues. If necessary, take him to the store and see what interests him. Let sales people help you since they're usually experienced and know pretty pret-ty well what's popular with the younger set. Play patterns do not change much over the years. A doll and buggy is the youngster's1 interests. Why such a fuss about toys? To make you and the youngsters happier. hap-pier. With proper toys you can partially par-tially relegate them to their playroom play-room when you have important household duties and want to get them out from underfoot. Youngsters, too, will be happier with the right toys which add much to intellectual and muscular development. de-velopment. Infant Appreciates Rattles, Cuddly Toys By the time a baby' Is three months old, he'll be interested in |