Developmental psychologists view play as the major means through which physical, cognitive, and social skills are mastered. Unfortunately, many adults are so involved with the work ethic that they do not appreciate the role of children’s play. Some punish their children for “horsing around” too much, or they criticize preschool teachers for letting children play too much, or they may schedule their children’s lives so heavily with lessons and chores that there is little time for play. Your task in this assignment is to design a toy suitable for a child in the age range of 1 to 12 years old (pick a specific age). Keep in mind the physical, cognitive, and social needs of children. Once you develop your toy, you must develop a manual for a parent to explain the developmental stage that the child is in, how to play with the toy, how it supports development, among other discussion items.

QUESTION

Developmental psychologists view play as the major means through which physical, cognitive, and social skills are mastered. Unfortunately, many adults are so involved with the work ethic that they do not appreciate the role of children’s play. Some punish their children for “horsing around” too much, or they criticize preschool teachers for letting children play too much, or they may schedule their children’s lives so heavily with lessons and chores that there is little time for play. Your task in this assignment is to design a toy suitable for a child in the age range of 1 to 12 years old (pick a specific age). Keep in mind the physical, cognitive, and social needs of children. Once you develop your toy, you must develop a manual for a parent to explain the developmental stage that the child is in, how to play with the toy, how it supports development, among other discussion items.

Purpose: To develop an age appropriate toy and discuss from a developmental psychologist’s standpoint how it supports growth and development in two domains.

Specifics: You must include a picture or drawing of your toy on the cover page, along with your name. The paper must be a minimum of 4 pages long (double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, 1 inch margins).

What you must include in your paper:

1. What is the age of the child you are creating a toy for? __________________
2. What are some milestones across different domains that a child of this age group is experiencing. The purpose of this section is to share with the parents what new skills the child is developing at this stage. Be sure to share relevant topics as they pertain to the domains you are focusing on for your toy.

3. Discuss two theorists and discuss the developmental needs and skills of this age (e.g., What is Erikson’s developmental stage and learning needs of this age child? What about Piaget?)
3. What type of toy did you create?
4. How could a child play with this toy?
5. What can a child learn from playing with this toy? You must discuss growth and development in at least two domains. Relatedly, what features of the toy make it developmentally appropriate? How are the domains stimulated?
6. What are 4-5 key terms from lecture or text that you might want to introduce to parents that you could discuss when you talk about the toy.

As you are working on your written paper, keep in mind that the primary function of the paper is to show your ability to apply concepts and theories covered in the course. Effective communication in speaking, listening, and writing is a key to career and personal success. These papers are designed to foster skill building in the area of effective written expression and critical thinking related to psychological topics of human growth and development.

Be sure to cite where your ideas come from and that you are applying concepts correctly.

Citation and style: If you use an outside source, be sure to cite either APA or AMA style. You may not have more than three lines of direct quotes. Whether you make a direct quote or paraphrase, in the body of the paper, include the last name of the author and the date of the publication following your quote for example: (Boyd, 2012, p. xx).

References: A reference page should be added to your paper giving the full citation from which the quote, paraphrase, or idea was taken.

ANSWER

Developmentally Appropriate Toy for Children: Age 6

Introduction

In this paper, we will explore the developmentally appropriate toy designed for children at the age of 6. We will discuss various milestones and developmental needs across different domains for this age group. Additionally, we will examine the theories of Erikson and Piaget to understand the developmental stage and learning needs of 6-year-old children. The primary focus will be on a toy that promotes physical, cognitive, and social growth. We will outline how the toy can be played with, the learning opportunities it offers, and its alignment with key concepts in developmental psychology.

Age of the Child: 6 years old

Milestones and Developmental Domains

At the age of 6, children experience significant milestones across various domains. Some key areas of development during this stage include physical, cognitive, and social development.

Physical Development

Children at this age demonstrate improved coordination and fine motor skills, allowing them to perform tasks that require precise hand movements (Sutapa et al., 2021). They show enhanced balance and agility, enabling them to engage in physical activities with greater control. Additionally, their stamina and physical endurance increase, allowing them to engage in sustained physical play and exercise.

Cognitive Development

Six-year-olds exhibit advancing logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. They become more proficient in understanding cause and effect relationships and can engage in concrete problem-solving activities. Their vocabulary and language skills expand, enabling them to express themselves more effectively. Furthermore, their memory and attention span improve, allowing them to engage in tasks that require sustained focus.

Social Development

During this stage, children begin to develop stronger social skills and an understanding of social norms. They become more capable of forming and maintaining friendships, displaying increased empathy and understanding of others’ perspectives. Conflict resolution skills start to emerge, allowing them to navigate social interactions more effectively. Additionally, they engage in cooperative play and demonstrate an increasing ability to work collaboratively in groups.

Theorists and Developmental Needs

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory: According to Erikson, 6-year-olds are in the stage of “Industry vs. Inferiority.” They develop a sense of competence and accomplishment through productive work and tasks. At this age, they seek positive feedback from parents, teachers, and peers, which contributes to their self-esteem and motivation to succeed. Encouraging their efforts and recognizing their achievements is crucial in supporting their development.

Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory: Piaget proposed that 6-year-olds are in the stage of “Concrete Operational Thinking.” They become more capable of logical thinking, understanding cause and effect relationships, and engaging in concrete problem-solving activities. They also start to grasp concepts like conservation, classification, and seriation. Providing opportunities for hands-on exploration and problem-solving experiences can foster their cognitive development.

Description of the Toy: Wonder Blocks

Wonder Blocks is a toy designed specifically for 6-year-old children. It consists of a set of colorful, interlocking building blocks made of safe and durable materials. Each block has unique shapes and patterns that can be combined to create various structures.

Playing with the Toy

Children can engage in open-ended play with Wonder Blocks by building different structures such as towers, houses, bridges, and more. They can explore their creativity and imagination by constructing their own designs or following instructions to build specific models. The blocks’ interlocking mechanism allows for stability and easy manipulation, enabling children to experiment and modify their creations as they play.

Learning Opportunities and Developmental Support

Wonder Blocks provide valuable learning experiences that support growth and development in physical, cognitive, and social domains.

Physical Development

Playing with Wonder Blocks enhances fine motor skills through grasping, stacking, and manipulating the blocks. Children develop hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness as they position and connect the blocks. Additionally, constructing complex structures promotes balance and stability, allowing children to challenge and refine their physical abilities.

Cognitive Development

Engaging with Wonder Blocks stimulates logical thinking and problem-solving as children plan and construct their designs. They are encouraged to think critically and make decisions about which blocks to use and how to connect them (Miraclerecreation, 2023). This toy also fosters creativity and imagination, as children can experiment with different combinations and architectural designs. Through building with Wonder Blocks, children develop spatial reasoning skills and gain an understanding of geometric shapes and patterns.

Social Development

Wonder Blocks facilitate cooperative play and collaboration as children build structures together. They can work in pairs or groups, sharing ideas, and collaborating on the construction process. This promotes communication and negotiation skills as children express their thoughts, listen to others’ ideas, and work together to achieve a common goal (Allen et al., 2015). It also enhances patience, resilience, and perseverance as they face challenges and solve problems collaboratively.

Key Terms for Discussion with Parents

When discussing the toy with parents, the following key terms can be introduced to deepen their understanding of their child’s development and the benefits of the toy:

Fine motor skills: Refers to the development and coordination of small muscles, particularly those in the hands and fingers, allowing for precise movements and manipulation.

Spatial awareness: The ability to understand and navigate the physical environment, including the recognition and understanding of shapes, sizes, and relationships between objects.

Problem-solving: The cognitive process of finding solutions to challenges or obstacles by analyzing information, evaluating options, and implementing effective strategies.

Cooperation: The act of working together towards a common goal, involving effective communication, sharing of ideas, and mutual support.

Patience: The ability to remain calm and persistent in the face of challenges or delays, allowing for resilience and perseverance.

Conclusion

The developmentally appropriate toy, Wonder Blocks, designed for 6-year-old children, offers a range of physical, cognitive, and social benefits. Children can enhance their fine motor skills, logical thinking, creativity, and social skills by engaging in open-ended play with these blocks. Understanding the milestones and needs of children at this age is crucial for parents to provide appropriate toys and support their child’s growth and development through meaningful play experiences.

References

Allen, L., Kelly, B., Children, Y. B. O., & Families. (2015). Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8. In National Academies Press eBooks. https://doi.org/10.17226/19401 

Miraclerecreation. (2023). The Importance of Imagination in Child Development. Miracle Recreation. https://www.miracle-recreation.com/blog/importance-of-imagination-in-child-development/ 

Sutapa, P., Pratama, K. W., Rosly, M. M., Ali, S. F., & Karakauki, M. (2021). Improving Motor Skills in Early Childhood through Goal-Oriented Play Activity. Improving Motor Skills in Early Childhood Through Goal-Oriented Play Activity, 8(11), 994. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8110994