Toy Fire Trucks

Our brain stores as much as it does and makes those things retrievable because of our ability to categorize objects. The ability to categorize forms the basis of cognitive complexity essential in academic and emotional intelligence. Noticing that things that look different can be categorized as similar begins as early as 2 months of age. This can be done through seeing the different objects, examining each independently, or touching them each in sequence. For example, cars, trucks, push toys are all categorized as things that roll. In the early ages (2-9 months), babies categorize into one level. For example, cars are not distinguished from trucks but can be distinguished from dissimilar objects (cars, things that roll, and blocks, things that do not roll.

Babies gradually begin to develop a second level as they categorize into hierarchies. By 18 months of age children are able to categorize on multiple levels unless the items are too different, in which case, they will not categorize them until age 2.

Sets of a series of matchbox toy cars, may be different colors but are seen as fitting into the larger category of cars, yet are barely distinguishable from each other and the baby under 9 months cannot separate into red cars or blue cars on their own. But after 9 months, toy cars that are dissimilar force categorization on two levels: first, the larger category of cars, second the smaller distinguishing characteristics, such as small vs big or truck vs car. Thus dissimilar toy sets encourage further thought about categorization.

The process of moving from one level to multiple levels is difficult to predict. Therefore, while a baby at 2 months of age is highly unlikely to benefit from the dissimilar set, the baby of 12 months should have sets of toys that present opportunity to develop their cognitive complexity.

Toys that are similar sets (for younger babies) include Sensory Balls. These balls are identical in the most obvious ways, ball-shaped, and similar in texture, but colors are different. A 9 month-old baby would not distinguish them on their own. But with parental or older sibling assistance she can learn to discriminate between the colors. At first, the development relies on memorization but between 9 and 12 months old, the baby begins to understand category blue or category red.

Then the baby can move to the next step, which is understanding the differences. At this point, introduce, toys that are moderately dissimilar sets (for 12-18 months) for instance, the Fishies Toy. All the fishies look alike although they have different colors. This toy targets the brain development of 12 -16 months of age. In order to link these identically shaped fish, the child turns them in different ways, thus developing alternatives while seeing similarity.

Toys that are more diverse sets (age 20-24 months) are the at the high end, Family House or Fire Station, in which all items relate to the theme but must be placed in different rooms or are used for different functions. A lower priced toy that achieves this is the Surprise Circus. The various parts of this toy can be joined in a train or stacked in a tower using various criteria for the stacking or lining up – color, size, shape, type of animal. Now granted a 12 month old will not be able to articulate why it is being matched in a way and perhaps it looks erratic but this is the beginning of understanding categorization and patterns. Categorization and pattern understanding are essential skills in language and math later in their life.
By:Dr. Suni Petersen

About the Author:
Dr. Suni Petersen is a family therapist, professor of psychology, and president of Toy Connex. Toy Connex is an on-line retail store and a toy-of-the-month subscription service that accomplishes the requirements for building strong bonds with a young child. The grandparent (or parent) completes a play profile so that a developmentally, educationally appropriate toy is sent to the child at the same time each month. Along with the gift, the child receives a photograph and message from the subscriber, and a thank you card on which to draw, then mail in the already-addressed and stamped envelope. Go to http://www.toyconnex.com

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