Science of Brain Development for Play: Categorizing Toys

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How does brain development relate to a child’s play? What does the science of play mean for newborn babies, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers? Is play a meaningless pastime, or is there more to it than we know? 

It’s more than we know! We don’t understand everything yet, but here are the specifics.

Science of Play

The human brain is developed through new neural connections during the early years of life. When a newborn comes into the world, some parts of the child’s brain are pre-programmed for reflex reactions like breathing and digestion. However, it is the process of thought that shapes brain growth by creating neural pathways. Whenever a child has a thought, brain cells or neurons in the brain form a new path, which becomes more defined each time the child has the same thought.

This can be compared to a pathway in the forest, which must be created when a person wants to get from one side to the other. Along the way, there might be wrong turns and retracing of steps, but eventually, the person reaches the other side and develops a well-beaten path. This works the same in brain development. As new connections and thoughts are repeated, they become memories. When they are adjusted during repetition, they are becoming abilities or skills. The linking or branching of neurons becomes complex as thoughts connect and bridge gaps from one ability to another. This is an oversimplification because, in reality, research is still ongoing.

The essential abilities, such as physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development, are all created through the science of play. Essentially, playing serves to “wire” the brain for the abilities we require throughout our lives. Early brain development begins in infants and toddlers and is almost completed in preschool. 

Toys Categories for Early Childhood Toys

Thoughts are ideas, and play is the action. They are entwined, hard to separate, and even more challenging to categorize. This website uses categories set up by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC, the international toy manufacturing regulator, has divided toys into eight categories derived from developmental psychology, anatomy, and early childhood literature, particularly the research of Jean Piaget. 

It’s important to note that the order of the play categories doesn’t indicate their importance or priority. The age group listed is a guideline because children learn and develop different abilities and skills at different rates. The child’s ability and preference should be a priority when choosing toys and activities. Here are the website categories:

1. Educational Play: 

During Educational Play, children learn academic skills such as letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. This type of play builds reasoning and problem-solving skills along with cognitive development.

• Books 
• Educational Toys
• Educational Technology

2. Building Play

Building Play, Constructive Play, or Representational Play, is a stage in child development where they use objects to represent other objects. It helps build fine motor and problem-solving abilities.

• Blocks 
• Building Materials

3. Arts and Crafts Play

Arts and Crafts Play, includes producing arts and crafts through various media. This play nourishes symbolic and creative thinking, builds self-assurance, and enhances problem-solving abilities.

4. Music Play

Music Play includes producing music through various media. This play nourishes symbolic and creative thinking, builds self-assurance, and enhances problem-solving abilities.

• Musical Instruments
• Music Books
• Musical Technology

4. Pretend Play

Pretend Play (Dramatic Play, or Role Play) helps children build problem-solving skills, imagination, and creativity. This social play improves critical thinking, language skills, social interaction, and emotional development. Children gain a better sense of the world around them by taking on different characters.

• Dolls and Stuffed Toys
• Puppets
• Play Scenes
• Dress Up
• Transportation
• Props for Pretend Play

5. Exploratory Play

Exploratory Play, or Practice Play, is essential for children to learn about themselves, objects, and the world around them. The toys in this playgroup are designed to encourage the development of fine and gross motor skills, basic cognitive and language abilities, and hand-eye coordination through fun activities and manipulatives.

• Infant Toys
• Mirrors, Mobiles, Manipulatives
• Push & Pull Toys

6. Game Play

In Game Play or Competitive Play, children can gain essential skills for navigating society. This type of play teaches teamwork, turn-taking, following rules, and coping with failure. Puzzles are a type of solitary play, whereas games are a type of cooperative play and a way to build social skills. 

• Puzzles
• Games
• Game Technology

7. Active Play

Active Play, or Physical Play, exercises gross motor abilities. As children grow, they enjoy organized sports with rules and competition. Recreational equipment is slightly different, as it is non-competitive and usually used for leisure. Ride-on toys are ideal for toddlers.

• Ride On Toys
• Sports Equipment
• Playground and Outdoor Equipment
• Movement Materials
• Water and Sand Toys

Conclusion

The science of play and the latest brain development research have shown that thoughts and experiences during a child’s early years set the foundation for cognitive, problem-solving, and language development for life-long learning and growth. Children’s brains are developed through play and social interactions, and the young child’s daily experiences and early relationships set the stage for positive or negative emotional development. Therefore, the parents or caregivers have the most important influences on a child. This is a critical period for a child’s development, and the importance of play can not be underestimated. The play experience in the developing child can be supported with carefully selected toys and activities. Categories were created to sort toys and activities so that caregivers of children can develop purposeful and meaningful experiences for healthy brain development and mental health.

Early Childhood Toys aims to guide parents, teachers, and caregivers through selecting the toys and activities for a child’s early childhood education.

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I value your input and comments tremendously. If there is anything else I should include in this blog post, please let me know! Until my next post, Keep Everything Simple. Talk with you soon!