Cynically, toys teach children to want things, to want to own things, the joy of having something that someone else wants and doesn't have. Toys teach us disappointment and disillusionment. (Writing this, I remember for the first time a toy I wanted very badly when I was about 6 - a clockwork knitting bear, which I expected to really knit. I had the idea that I would be able to make real clothes with the bear. When I got it, it just clacked its needles together unproductively. I can still remember the shock of having been fooled, that adults might be out to take my money under false pretences.)

Less cynically, and more helpfully perhaps, toys heighten the rewards for the child of interacting experimentally with the world and foster curiosity and physical involvement with the environment. They can help develop social interaction, sharing, taking turns. They can help the child sort and order the world into categories, and can teach useful strategies in problem-solving. There is something important for the child, I think, in the miniaturisation of real things, giving the child a sense of power and ownership over aspects of a world that is in reality large and ungraspable.

I think toys should (1) please kids aesthetically/make them feel happy, secure {I think these are related} and (2) stimulate, develop, challenge, teach. Some toys are more for one vs. the other: stuffed toy vs. building set. For part (1), toy designers and parents should keep in mind that their natural aesthetics and a young child's are not the same. One case in point is the teddy bear. The early ones lookd more like adult bears. Over time, it has gotten more "cute"--babylike features of larger eyes, rounder mouth, bigger head realtive to body, shorter, chubbier limbs. All of these appeal to adults, probably because we have an instinct to nurture anything cute. It turns out when researchers give babies their choice of stuffed bears, they like ones that look like adult bears. This makes sense--babies and toddler are the only ones who have no reason to attach to other babies--they're looking to attach to adults. For part (2), Piaget or other sytems of developmental stages can inform toy design in that one wants to make toys that require some skills within the range a child has just mastered and sme that will stretch ones they're about to be capable of. For building toys, this is what visual-spacial skills children have, for games, what social skills they're ready to develop.

Just briefly, I think that toys should be colorful and quite appealing to the eye. It is always nice for young children to have access to toys that are manipulable, and that can be easily handled. Depending on the age, one should take care to make sure that toys do not endanger the children e.g. have pieces that young children can swallow, etc.

There is quite a bit of research written about toys that are culturally appropriate. For example, there was a classic study done in the 50s (I think!) by two black psychologists who presented both black and white children with white and black dolls, for example. The white children all chose the white dolls, and so did the black children. In fact, the black children felt that the black dolls were "ugly", and they refused to play with them. The study was done by Kenneth Clark and his wife Mamie.

I'd also just stress the cultural piece with toys these days; especially if they are dolls. On the other hands, I've always had real problems with the "war" toys, GI Joes and tanks and all. I think we should get rid of these all together. Needless to say, i'm also quite opposed to guns and any toys that tend to mimic any kind of weapon.

What were your favorite toys growing up?

My favorite toys growing up were dolls (Barbie) and board games (Trouble, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit). I liked the creative play with the dolls and the interaction with others during the board games.

What makes a toy good or bad?

I think any toy can be a good toy it all depends on the child’s interests. However, I’m not a big fan of video games - even though my kids have them. I don’t mind the multi-player games and we love the Wii. I don’t like the one-player games where there’s no interaction, no communication.

Of all the children’s toys on the market today, which to find to be the most intriguing? From an educational standpoint? From a non-educational standpoint?

There are some great toys available today, especially new games. We love Apples to Apples and the Scene it? DVD games. Again, we love the Wii; we all bowl together. I think any game that allows for communication or requires some sort of interaction is good.

What role do you believe toys have in a child’s development?

For many children playing with toys allows them to act out situations in their lives and to experiment with role-playing.

What educational, developmental, or emotional goals should toys address?

I’m a speech therapist so I have a lot of games that require talking,
Asking questions, turn taking, and following directions. I use games developed for speech therapists and some mainstream games - Uno, Caribou, Memory, Go Fish, BINGO, and Mr. Potato Head. I’ve seen quite a variety of games throughout my school.

How have you seen toys change over the years? Has that change been positive or negative?

It’s amazing that many of the games that were popular when I was young are still popular today. Obviously there are a lot more computer and video games but I think even those are fine in moderation.

What were your favorite toys growing up?

Large cardboard building blocks, making forts out of anything I could find, usually towels, Tunnel of Fun, play doh and silly putty, a mechanical dog that barked and could do a flip, puppets, a stuffed sea serpent t that had a disguise kit of Velcro pieces such as mustaches, Slip and Slide, large cardboard boxed, periscope, rope, dress up clothes.

What makes a toy good or bad?

Well, they should be fun of course. I favor toys that are open ended, use the imagination, and sometimes give unexpected results. For young children it is great to have big toys where kids can play together and not have to compete...such as the sandbox, a wading pool or the large cardboard box.

Bad toys can only be used the "right way", frustrate kids, or are too competitive for the age-range. Bad toys do not keep a kids interest or aren't likely to be used again.

Of all the children’s toys on the market today, which to find to be the most intriguing? From an educational standpoint? From a non-educational standpoint?

I love the toys with sensory appeal such as those stretchy balls with spikes or the stretchy spaghetti balls. They just feel so good and kids love them. It's hard to put them down. I also love bouncy houses and ball pits and its great that you can have small versions for your house.

What role do you believe toys have in a child’s development?

If play is the work of childhood, then toys are the tools. Toys help children stretch the imagination, express feelings, act out scenarios or fears, get along with others, experiment with properties of science and learn about the world, develop both fine and gross motor skills, learn to entertain oneself when alone...pretty much plays a role in most areas

What educational, developmental, or emotional goals should toys address?

Well, not all toys address these areas, but I guess that toys teach you how the world works. Good examples of this would be blocks or the pail and shovel. I'm not sure how I would really want to answer this one. You can learn about emotions by toys that encourage role-playing such as stuffed animals action figures costumes etc.

Which toys do you see the most often in your classrooms and schools?

The old favorites…Blocks, legos, plastic animals, Lincoln logs, marble mazes, building sets. These are pretty standard.

Do you allow toys in your classroom?

Yes we have toys to use for indoor recess. These toys are used cooperatively in small groups. We don’t have time to use them at any other time except in the kindergarten rooms.

How have you seen toys change over the years? Has that change been positive or negative?

The technology has changed. My own kids had beanie babies and today’s kids have webkinz. Which are linked to the computer. The technology is fun but you can have too much of a good thing. One negative change that I see is that I hardly ever see kids outside in their neighborhoods. You go by all those homes and see empty yards and empty swing sets. I wonder if kids are content staying home and playing on the computer or whatever, rather than seeing whom they can play with. It seems isolating, but I don’t want to get carried away preaching.

What were your favorite toys growing up?

Lincoln logs, Tammy doll, Parcheesi.

What makes a toy good or bad?

Good fun to play with others or by yourself
 Bad-if it breaks or batteries run out.

Of all the children’s toys on the market today, which to find to be the most intriguing? From an educational standpoint? From a non-educational standpoint?

Puzzles, legos, simple dolls (for imaginary play)

What role do you believe toys have in a child’s development?

Strong developmental role: to role-play, develop socials skills, learn how to keep busy and be creative in figuring out how to occupy their time, discover interests.

What educational, developmental, or emotional goals should toys address?

Social skill: problem-solving skills, sharing, taking turns and creative skills learning while playing (i.e. puzzle of the United states).

Which toys do you see the most often in your classrooms and schools?

Games.

Do you allow toys in your classroom?

Puzzles only. Need to stay focused on standards.  Recess toys are available outside the classroom.

How have you seen toys change over the years? Has that change been positive or negative?

Yes: More gadgetry less creative. Basic blocks and dolls bring out more creativity than elaborate dollhouses and complex toys.

What were your favorite toys growing up?

My favorite toy was a "Patty Playpal" doll. I got it for Christmas I guess when I was about 8 or so which would be around 1959. My mother made a new skirt for a bassinet and Patty slept in that. Patty was about 3 feet tall and her feet moved in a walking motion when I held her hand. She was like a little friend to me. My older brother was out of the house and at times I was lonely so she filled an emotional void that I had. She had long hair, which I brushed, and she sported quite a wardrobe. Other than Patty I was not really a toy kid. I played games and rode my bicycle more.

My three sons had matchbox cars and trucks, which they played with in the dirt and built roads. They also loved plastic garages to put the cars in. Weebles were similar because they put them in and out of houses and things. The intriguing part would be to see where they ended up when you put them through a tunnel or down a slide. I imagine that these toys helped with their fine motor skills.
I work in a school but we don't have toys in the classrooms because the kids are older (grades 3-6).

I now have a one-year-old grandson and the way I have seen toys change is that most of them make some sort of noise (often pretty loud) when you touch them. I personally think that it is too much stimulation for young children. There is too much noise pollution in this society. Between cars honking or beeping every time you lock or unlock them to the way toys make noise - I definitely think that these changes have been negative. There is not enough quiet thinking time for children.

What were your favorite toys growing up? 

Just saw a commercial for big wheels yesterday- they were fun
Rubik’s cube was fun (and frustrating- the stickers don’t stick as well once you pull them off!)
Loved riding bikes and playing games- Chinese checkers, Clue, Uno
And my brother’s transformers and matchbox cars were always fun!

What makes a toy good or bad? 

Multiple uses and imagination are great!  Toys for a limited purpose are…limiting (or can be)

Of the children's toys on the market today, which do you find to be the most intriguing, from an educational standpoint? From a non-educational standpoint (i.e. just plain fun)?

Legos and builders (k-nex, Lincoln logs, good old fashion blocks, etc) are great for fine motor activities and imagination

What role do you believe toys have in a child's development, if any?

A huge role- fine motor, gross motor, planning, creative thinking
Children need to think and explore on their own

Which toys do you see the most often in your classrooms and schools?
Blocks, legos, etc.

Games- Connect Four, Sorry, Blockus, cards, Chutes and Ladders, Memory

 How have you seen toys change over the years? Has this change been positive, or negative?

I see that there are more video games and that more children have them and depend on them for their “creative thinking”.  Children now write about video games and the characters in them.  I don’t feel this is a positive change at all!

What were your favorite toys growing up?

Push-pedal cars; ones that you could sit in.  Building blocks.  Fort making stuff.

What makes a toy good or bad?

A toy that allows you to pretend you are something else - race car driver, etc.  I loved to manipulate and create little villages.  I loved to hide from make-believe bad-guys.

Of the children's toys on the market today, which do you find to be the most intriguing, from an educational standpoint? From a non-educational standpoint (i.e. just plain fun)?

Hands-down…Legos and K'nex

What role do you believe toys have in a child's development, if any?

Nominal

What educational, developmental, or emotional goals should toys address?

Creative play and outdoors play.

Which toys do you see the most often in your classrooms and schools?

Stupid things…collection-type toys…like webkinz - but maybe the kids are pretending to be veterinarians (?)

 

Do you allow toys in your classrooms? Why? Why not?

NOPE - they get lost, stolen and show levels of income.

How have you seen toys change over the years? Has this change been positive, or negative? 

I'm really, really opposed to electronic toys that simulate things that should be played/experienced in the real world.

What were your favorite toys growing up?
           
I played with paper dolls, a wagon, baby dolls, blocks

What makes a toy good or bad?

Good toy: One that encourages the child to use his/her imagination; allows     him/her to interact with others; develop good motor skills.
Bad toy: one that requires very little from the child; just sort of sits there.

Of the children's toys on the market today, which do you find to be the most intriguing, from an educational standpoint? From a non-educational standpoint (i.e. just plain fun)?
           
I don’t know too much about the toys of today. Did buy my granddaughter
An easel for Christmas and she loves drawing, painting, etc. She got some toy
Instruments from her parents and they were wonderful because they got her to dance, move around, share, etc.

What role do you believe toys have in a child's development, if any?

Toys give children the opportunity to develop their minds, personalities, expand their imaginations, develop hobbies for later life, and the list goes on.

What educational, developmental, or emotional goals should toys address?

Toys should provide children with opportunities to develop fine as well as large motor skills; help them learn to share as well as be on their own;

Which toys do you see the most often in your classrooms and schools?
           
At school I see mainly balls, jump ropes, blocks, crayons, puppets

Do you allow toys in your classrooms? Why? Why not?
           
I teach fifth grade and to tell you the truth, they seldom bring in toys.  They are in to computers and mechanical things. I asked my class to do a writing assignment a couple of years ago.  They were to write about their favorite toy. I had children tell me they didn’t even own a toy any more. They would rather play computer games. Amazing, huh?

How have you seen toys change over the years? Has this change been positive, or negative?
           
I don’t think children play enough with toys. I find my students are not as able to cut, color, draw and do fine motor activities as they did years ago. They have more difficulty playing alone too, due not only to changes in toys, but also to parents having children participate in planned activities instead of just playing.

What should toys do?

I think entertainment is the main function of toys.Meanwhile, it
could perform as a education tool.

What role do you think they should have in a child's development?

First, it could be something interesting to attract child's
attention. Then, toy should make a lot of fun. During this stage,
child should learn some knowledge from playing toys.

What makes a toy good or bad?

A good toy should give child a lot of space to think and create. A
bad toy just kills children's imagination.

What should toys do?

First, Toys should let kids have fun and enjoy playing them.
Second, toys should help children's brain developing, teaching them
how to learn and how to solve problems.

What role do you think they should have in a child's development?

I think they play an important role in child's development. They
are crucial in early childhood education.

What educational, developmental, emotional goals should toys address?

They should help children be prepared with their school education,
help them to get interested in science, literature, music and offer
them some fundamental knowledge.

What makes a toy good or bad?

First, children must be attracted to them. If kids dont like them,
no matter how educational these toys are, they are useless. Second,
good toys must be heuristic, they can prepare kids for formal
education.

What should toys do?

Toys are something children can spend their time with. Some of them
are need to made by children themselves, some are for child to hold in
order to go sleep.

What educational, developmental, emotional goals should toys address?

First, they are the tools to know the world, by recognize color,
shape, physical attributes. second, to satisfy children's curiosity,
children are curious about everything around them, in order to prevent
them from destroying things also satisfy their curiosity, toys are
invented for these. third, to let them express their thoughts. the
language ability of children is not completed, they can use toy to
express their feeling, recognizability and imagination.

What makes a toy good?

colorful, lovely shaped, full of creativity and interactive

For children, their life is a playing and playing is also their life. Therefore, toys for children have to stimulate their fantasy and imagining power and further make them more creative. The simple toys like pinecones, nuts, a piece of wood which can get from nature are good for children. Blocks, montessori materials also can be a good toy. These are suitable for developing the child's five senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch.

Toy helps children to develop the activity of brain and the ability of exercise. Child can develop their sense of sight, hearing, touch playing toys. It's a necessary thing to help them to play, make their dreams in true. Physical activity playing with toys stimuli their intelligence and develop it. Also, it helps to calm their emotional state. Playing with toys grows children to be socialized.

Good toys stimulate child's imagining abilities and make them creative. Bad toys are the card playing which may lead children to be a gambler. Bad toys are also the dangerous toys like a firecracker and the harmful toys which contain include heavy metals, pigments.