Quick Summary
- The 4 learning domains: Physical, Language, Cognitive, Social-Emotional.
- Examples of the best toys for 3 and 4 year olds in each of these domains.
Physical Development
When choosing the best toys for 3 and 4 year olds you should keep in mind that they are energized! They are walking, running, and climbing. To encourage the development of their gross motor skills in the physical domain, the children should have access to an outdoor playground with a jungle gym. For their protection, make sure there is padding under the gym. Other outdoor toys for should include small and large balls for throwing and kicking. There should also be toys for riding such as tricycles, scooters, and wagons. Toys that help improve the development of their fine motor skills include Legos, blocks, paper, crayons, chalk, markers, pencils, scissors, and playdough.
Language Development
Preschoolers have acquired longer attention spans. They also have become more verbal, and they have a lot of questions! To encourage further development in the language domain, 3 and 4 year olds should have access to numerous books that cover a wide variety of subjects. Ideally, these books will be located in a reading center. Here, the children can share and discuss the books with their classmates. It is also important for teachers and parents to read out-loud to the children. This helps children to understand that the words on the pages represent spoken language. Children also become drawn into the story and this encourages them to want to learn to read. Reading is fun! Two good books for this age group are Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, by Lois Ehlert and The Gingerbread Man, by Gail Yerrill. Children also love read-along/sing-along books with CDs. A favorite for this age group is Victor Vito, accompanied by the Laurie Berkner Band. Electronic tablets also contain many activities that promote language development. Other toys that help with language development are toy telephones, alphabet blocks, magnetic alphabet letters, alphabet puzzles, and alphabet matching letters and cards.
Cognitive Development
As I mentioned before, preschoolers have longer attention spans. Because of this, their development in the cognitive domain is accelerating at a rapid pace. For this reason, toys for this age group should provide children with opportunities for solving problems and building. These toys should include puzzles, memory cards, geometric pattern blocks, wooden blocks, Legos, geometric magnets, abacuses, and calculators. These toys also help preschoolers develop their fine-motor skills. Electronic tablets also contain many activities that promote cognitive development. In addition, be sure to include durable musical instruments such as xylophones, maracas, and drums.
Social-Emotional Development
Imaginative play is important because it encourages preschooler’s development in the social-emotional domain. Imaginative play allows preschoolers to practice decision making and social skills that they observe in their daily lives. This, in turn, helps them to better understand the world around them. In a school or home environment, imaginative play can occur nearly anywhere, however, it’s best to have a specific area with child-sized props that reflect daily life. The Imaginative Play Area should include child-sized furniture, such as a play kitchen. The kitchen should have play food, dishes, cooking pans, and utensils. Also, remember to include dress-up clothes, dolls, doll cradles and blankets. Dollhouses are another way for children to play and use their imaginations. Imaginative play also helps children develop their language skills.
More Information
It is crucial for parents and teachers to recognize the importance of play for healthy child development. For more information on this topic, as well as toy safety and appropriate toys for 3- and 4-year-olds, please visit the website for The National Association for the Education of Young Children, also known as NAEYC by using the following link. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/play/toys