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PAGE FOUR
Put some away
y
Some time (maybe even now) your child
will have more toys than she can use, or
more than there is room for. When this
happens, she may drift from one toy to
* according to Growing Child, the monthly
child development newletter.
This is a sign that it is time fo put some
of the toys away for a while, leaving only
current favorites. With a more limited
selection of toys, a child will learn to be
more inventive and resourceful in looking
for new ways to play with each toy, and
_ her attention span will get longer.
From time to time, switch toys from
storage to playroom for an ever-changing
variety. A rainy day is a good time for this
activity: exchanging ‘““old”’ toys for ‘“‘new’’
toys can help overcome boredom. If a
child is old enough, she can help decide
out.
These periodic switches offer you a good
opportunity to examine the toys. If any
parts are missing, write to the
manufacturer for replacements. If any
repairs are needed, do them. If the toy is
damaged beyond repair, discard it or
salvage whatever may be reusable. A
“junk” box of old toy parts can be a
treasure chest to an older child who likes
~ to tinker with construction projects.
Never throw away a useable toy, even
though you think a child has surely
outgrown it. Children play with toys in
different ways at different ages. A feature
that might not have been evident
originally may offer pleasure a year or
“two later.
A child who is sick in bed recovering
from an illness often prefers a less
challenging toy, one she has played with
earlier. Besides, it’s always good to have a
selection of toys for younger children,
whether visitors or your own. Save good
toys; they may turn out to be another
generation’s treasures!
Growing Child has a catalog of unique,
educational toys, books, and records for
children up to six years old. To get a copy,
send $1 to CATALOG, P.O. Box 620N,
Lafayette, Indiana 47902.
Select toys
One of the joys of Christmas is watching
the faces of children as they open their
gifts. Dr. Anne Keller, Director of the
state Health Department’s Division of
Rehabilitation, who is a pediatrician and a
parent, says much thought should be given
to the purchase of toys and playthings.
She says they should be selected to suit
~ the age, abilities and temperament of the
child.
“Toys for infants and toddlers should be
too large to be swallowed, soft enough to
‘give” if fallen upon, contain no sharp
edges, points, wires or pins, and be con-
structed so there are no small parts that
can be pulled or broken off. and
swallowed.
“Young children should also not be given
toys with parts that could be pulled or
broken off. Toys that shoot projectiles
should be reserved for older children and
even then the toys should be carefully
examined to be certain that projectiles
have soft tips and are hurled with little
force. :
electrical outlet should contain the Under-
writers Laboratory (UL) label, and all
toys should be checked to be certain they
are non-flammable and paints are lead-
free.
“Finally,” Dr. Keller says, “Don’t put a
small child’s'toys in a wooden or metal toy
chest with a hinged lid. There is too much
danger of the lid falling and injuring the
child fatally.” :
Imagine the smiling faces that surround
the Christmas tree this year as you offer
the perfect gift for the angler in your
family. Buying something meaningful has
grown more and more difficult, but, if
there is an angler in your family or a close
friend that enjoys the sport, gift giving this
year can be simplified.
The Pennsylvania Fish Commission has
placed licenses on sale throughout the
Commonwealth, just in time for the gift
giving season, and what could be more
appropriate than to give a year’s worth of
angling pleasure? :
License prices remain unchanged over
last year with resident licenses costing
$12, resident senior (65 years or older) $2,
resident senior lifetime $10. Nonresident
$15. Issuing agent fees of 50 cents will be
tacked on to the purchase price of all
licenses.
One reminder, however, before you hop
in the car for a quick trip to the local
tackle store, be sure and jot down some
pertinent information. You'll need to know
all the information asked for on the ap-
plication--things such as date of birth,
color of hair and eyes, height and weight.
Licenses are available throughout the
Commonwealth at over 1700 license
issuing agents, including county
treasurers’ offices. Why not give a lasting
gift this year, something that will assure a
genuine smile on Christmas morning. And
anglers will need their 1984 license by
January 1, so your gift will arrive just in
time for the coming vear.