Discovery Toys Safety & Quality

Playing It Safe: Understanding Age Grading

We have all seen it…a parent jingling keys in front of a fussy infant…then the infant reaches out and the parent allows the child to grasp the keys to chew on…(Not all parents are wise enough to have a set of Boomerings® links handy at a moments notice!)

We all know babies are attracted to the jingling keys but that does not necessarily mean keys are appropriate for infants. In the same way, we often have products that may be attractive to children of all ages but our packaging and activity guides clearly state they are for a specific age group.

The labels you see on Discovery Toys packaging are a collaboration of Marketing and Quality Assurance as we research, test and identify not only the developmental stages of the child and benefits of the toy, but how the product will be used. We take into account safety test criteria as well as age recommendations published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. We revise both aspects of the product or the age grade if necessary to get the combination just right.

Discovery Toys packaging indicates the minimum age for which a product is intended. If the packaging states 3+ then the product is not intended for children younger than 3. One of the major milestones at 3 is that children no longer mouth their toys. Toys and games with small pieces should not be provided to children younger than 3 since a child younger than 3 may mouth small pieces causing a potential choking hazard

Follow the age grading on our toys and heed the warning labels on our packaging. Purchase “Grow-with-Me” toys that span age groups such as Rock the Boat and Giant Pegboard™. These toys will save you money by having a toy that can be used for many years, but still be safe for all ages.

Listed below are Age Grading Tips you can use with all toy purchases:

➜ Note the age recommendations and labeling on packaging. The age reflects the minimum age required for a particular toy.

➜ Parents and caregivers who have children of varying ages need to be mindful of the warning labels on products for small parts and to keep these toys separate from younger children so that small pieces are not accessible to them.

➜ If you have young children, get a small parts cylinder to use it to check other toys and items in the home.

➜ Ensure any toys that require batteries for children under age 3 are assembled by an adult and that the battery housing is checked periodically to ensure batteries are intact.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to interact with their children and their toys.

If you have any questions or comments regarding general toy safety or age grading, send your inquiries to: safety@discoverytoys.net.

by: Rosie Alonso, DT Quality Assurance

posted by:
Cara Retz
Educational Leader, Discovery Toys
www.playsmartstore.com
playsmartstore@gmail.com