Recalled Toys

If children are on your holiday gift list, beware. More than two dozen toys have been recalled this year for safety reasons. With safety in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics has prepared a tips list.

November 2009 Recalls
December 2009 Recalls

-pick toys that suit kids' age, abilities and interest level.
-to prevent electric shocks, choose battery-operated instead of plug-in toys for kids under 10.
-keep young children away from toys with button batteries and magnets. these can cause serious and even fatal intestinal problems if swallowed.
-the academy also warns:pull toys with strings longer than 12 inches can be a strangulation hazard for babies.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Brainy Toys for Christmas

If you're looking for the best Christmas gifts for your kids, here's a reminder of which ones are best for learning-and they're not necessarily the ones marketed that way!

From Medstar: It's a dilemma many parents face, buy your kids the toys with all the bells and whistles. or get the educational ones. Child psychologists say the best toys may be the ones you least expect.

Go into any toy store and the choices can be overwhelming. Many promise "brain-building" skills, but do all the blinking lights and music really deliver? Child psychologists say it's all how they're used.

Dr. Pete Stavinoha said, "It's things that kids wanna interact with, things that don't necessarily do things for a child, but they allow the child to kind of use their imagination and build things or draw things or move and kind of let them express themselves."

Choosing a toy that promotes interaction between a parent and child is best. Experts recommend books, building blocks, dolls and arts and crafts. Dr. Stavinoha said, "Those aren't going to promote a child's development nearly as much as something that helps them interact with others or let's them use their imagination, think for themselves, solve problems, overcome frustrations, all those kinds of things."

While electronic toys and games do have their place, participating with your children using simple, traditional toys may be best. And if you're shopping for outside activities, Dr. Stavinoha says to stick to the tried and true traditional trikes and bikes that encourage exercise.

Back to the computer for a moment, Dr. Stavinoha cautions against toddlers spending too much time at the computer. Even though children may know how to navigate a mouse, they're most likely not developing problem solving skills.

I have only bought a few books for my kids so far. My five-year-old has a couple of things on a list. I have no idea where to get them! Yikes!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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