1

Min Thway

Human Growth and Development throughout the Lifespan HHG4M-01

Jacqueline De Souza

August 10th 2023

Unit 4 Summative Task

Part 1 - Toy Comparison

Toy 1 Toy 2 Toy 3

Name Shape Sorters Building Sets Puzzles

Intended Age 1-2 years old 4-5 years old 4-5 years old
of Child

Intended Essential in Fine motor skills, hand-eye Improve problem

Educational development of fine coordination, spatial solving skills,
Benefits motor skills, a tool awareness and reasoning, organization,
of developing flexibility in cognitive skills, cognitive and logical
language Language development, reasoning, creative
acquisition, social Creativity, Problem-solving, thinking, a sense of
skills, a sense of critical thinking, social achievement,
achievement and competency and a sense of enhancing fine motor
reward accomplishment, skills, improving
engineering skills concentration

Strengths Fine Motor Skills, Imagination and Creativity, Enhances fine motor
Cognitive Fine Motor Skills, Problem- skills, creative
development, Solving Skills, Engineering thinking, cognitive
Spatial Awareness, Skills, Social Interaction skills, boosting
Color Recognition, memory, allows
Early Learning children to cooperate,
and socialize

Weaknesses Limited Variation, Small Parts can be Could get tedious,

Lack of Long Term hazardous to child, It can be uninteresting, and
Engagement costly, Limited Educational challenging
Values
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Improvements Greater Variety of Greater Safety, Greater More interactivity,

Shapes, Greater Educational Values, Greater creative freedom
Interactivity, Customization
Greater
Customization

Part 2 - Critical Review

1. Shape Sorters
Shape Sorter is a multifaceted toy, with a colorful ray of blocks and matching
holes made for children aged from 1 to 2 years (Benefits of Shape Sorting Toy, 2023).
Science believes that this simple play exercise of fitting different shaped blocks into
matching holes is laying the essential foundations for the development of multiple skills
such as promoting cognitive skills through critical thinking, spatial awareness and
differentiation skills (What is a Shape Sorting Toy, 2023). Physical abilities are also
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mastered through honing fine motor skills, and day-to-day physical activities (What is a
Shape Sorting Toy, 2023). And last of all, language and social skills are also acquired
(Benefits of Shape Sorting Toy, 2023). It is claimed that shape sorters can act as a
platform for these skills to develop and inspire children to love learning (Benefits of
Shape Sorting Toy, 2023). Many popular manufacturers produce this toy, they include
Fisher-Price, Melissa & Doug, Hape, and VTech. The slogan of Melissa & Doug,
associated with shape sorter toys is “Timeless Toys, Endless Possibilities”. The toy is
usually made out of wood and plastic and is produced in China, the United States, and
other countries. The cost of the toy is generally around 10$-15$ and usually requires no
additional costs or accessories to play.
Shape sorters are age-appropriate for toddlers and infants as they contribute
substantially to the children's educational development. "Your toddler is fascinated by
cause-and-effect and will enjoy any toy that responds to their actions and makes use of
their newly acquired motor skills," stated Robin Goodman, a Ph.D. clinical psychologist
(Parents Editors, 2023). Due to the simple interactive style of playing that touches on
the child’s basic senses, these benefits are achievable and practical to measure, as
children improve their shape-recognition skills and hand-eye coordination abilities.
In my opinion, shape sorters and other similar educational toys are
complementary to a developing child, as through their uncomplicated problem-solving
activity, their benefits are that they allow the child to develop basic motor skills, and
spatial recognition, which will be greatly pivotal for later developmental stages to take
place. However, its simplicity and lack of greater educational values could sometimes
make the child lose interest in it. The toy could be improved by adding more complex
shapes, colors, and interactive functions. The toy has been a well-known, classic option
for parents to buy for their growing children, therefore it is not just a fad, but indeed a
staple of an educational tool. I too would buy it if I had a child, as it provides great
educational value, interactivity between the caretaker and child, and is priced
reasonably.
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2. Building Sets
Building sets are construction toys for children ages 4-5, that make use of the action of
assembly, through a range of basic components that allow children to creatively design and
mold their model construction, whether it is a house, a skyscraper, or a spacecraft
(Encyclopedia, n.d). Recognized as a classic toy by many experts, there are many reasons why
building blocks are among the best toy options for your children to play with. The most obvious
is enhancing the creative imagination of children, as LEGO, one of the most prominent buildings
set manufacturers slogan states "It’s a New Toy every day". There are just endless ways to play
with building sets, imagination being the limit. Other areas include refining their motor skills,
improving hand-eye coordination, boosting problem-solving skills, concentration & attention
span, math skills, the understanding of cause & effect, development of speech & language and
many more (10 Benefits of Building Blocks, n.d). Building sets, being among the most popular
toys, are produced by many toy manufacturers in the world such as LEGO, Cada, Forange,
COGO, and Star Diamond. Building set toys are manufactured in countries such as Denmark,
China, and the United States. They are usually produced with plastic materials, though they
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may differ in quality and sizes, hence differing in price ranges from as little as $20 for small
pieces to $1000 for exclusive building sets.
Building sets are greatly suitable for children from ages of 4-5, because during this age,
"there's a tremendous explosion in learning ability" (Parents Editors, 2023), and it is
appropriate to expose them to interactive educational toys that challenge their developing
intellectual abilities such as math, vocabulary, and problem-solving skills (Parents Editors, 2023
). Therefore, it is also seemingly apparent, why they are realistic and achievable.

In my opinion and personal experience, growing up playing building sets like LEGO, I
believe that they are greatly beneficial to the creative, and imaginative progress of children.
While they are also a source of great entertainment and fun, and provide a place for social
interaction. Its strengths are that, as science suggests before, provides educational, and
developmental benefits. Its weaknesses are that it might have limitations toward challenging
the child’s intellectual skills due to the simple play nature of the toy. Therefore, it could be
made better by adding more interactivity that has greater educational value. Building sets have
been a household toy for children all over the world, its popularity and benefits cannot be
doubted, therefore it’s not just a fad. Overall, as a toy I enjoyed while growing up, I’d greatly
recommend and buy it for my children if I had one.
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3. Puzzles
Puzzles are a classic toy for children ages 4-5, that comes in a range of different types,
materials, and increasing difficulty levels (Five Things Children Gain, 2018). Popular puzzle toys
for children include jigsaw puzzles, block puzzles, word/crossword puzzles, and many similar
games that make use of the children's ability to problem-solve. There are many reasons why it
is an excellent option for children to play. They include enhancing problem-solving skills, and
organization, promoting cognitive and logical reasoning, creative thinking, persistence and task
achievement, sequencing, and promoting fine motor, and hand-eye coordination (Five Things
Children Gain, 2018). Another important benefit playing puzzles provides is increasing memory
and concentration power (Importance of Puzzles, 2022). Meanwhile, it also promotes social
interaction, allowing children to engage in cooperation, working towards the same goal and
communication while playing with their friends and family members alike, achieving a sense of
achievement along the play. Puzzle game sets are produced everywhere around the world
(Importance of Puzzles, 2022). They are manufactured by popular brands such as Melissa &
Doug, Ravensburger, Hape, and Orchard Toys, among others, and are produced in countries
such as China, Germany, and the United States. They are usually made with materials such as
wood, or cardboard. Puzzle games are available in several different types and sizes, with
varying price ranges from as low as $20 to hundreds of dollars for more exclusive and quality
sets. Most of the puzzles do not require additional accessories.
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Puzzles are considered age-appropriate for children from ages 4-5 because they support
and boost the cognitive, and motor skills development of the children taking place during this
age. They also have great educational value, as puzzles are toys that also enhance language,
concept development, and spatial vocabulary skills (Five Things Children Gain, 2018). It is also
proven that kids who play puzzle games are found to possess higher IQ levels (Levine et al,
2011), so there is no doubt its merits are achievable and measurable.
In my personal opinion, I believe puzzles are age-appropriate, and educationally
valuable toys which aid children in their development of cognitive skills, problem-solving
abilities, and patience. Its strengths are that, depending on its difficulty levels and the child's
abilities, it can act as a fun, thought-provoking, and challenging experience that would allow
them to overcome these obstacles and receive a sense of achievement. Its weaknesses,
however, are that sometimes due to the logical nature of the game, it could get tedious and
uninteresting for the child. Therefore, it could benefit more from adding more interactivity, and
creative freedom to play. Puzzles, like many different varieties of toys, hold their important
position in many different categories of child development, thus it is in no way a fad. And for
this reason, I’d buy it for my children, if I had one.

Part 3 – Summary Question

Toys and games are familiar things that children spend most of their playtime with, and
its numerous benefits contributing to their development are undoubted. Yet, sometimes
children do not even need such varying amounts of toys and gadgets that their parents buy for
them to have fun. Children could get along playing in whatever environment they are in
through their imaginative minds creating unique ways of play such as pretend play, roleplaying,
and creating scenarios of play (The Benefits of Children’s Play, 2020). Play happens,
everywhere, at every age, despite the availability of things and provides the same benefits.
Science is even proving that playing is beneficial for adults alike (The Benefits of Play for Adults,
n.d). For example, engaging in fun, unstructured play with your friends, co-workers, and
children is proven to reduce stress, improve brain functioning, enhance creativity, and help
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foster relationships and connections, reenergizing the Mind and Body (The Benefits of Play for
Adults, n.d). In children, pretend play, otherwise known as symbolic play, due to the use of
symbols, happens, involving no use of toys, as the objects around their environment
themselves such as pillows and cardboard boxes become tools for playing (The Benefits of
Children’s Play, 2020). Pretend play is performed through all stages of children's development
from the infant age of 1-2 years old to 5 years (Nikki, 2018). Play without toys, much like play
with toys, has many benefits to the children' development all many categories. They include
allowing children to be more creative, as they have to develop their play style, and
strengthening socialization skills as children have to engage and communicate with other
children for this type of play (The Benefits of Children’s Play, 2020). Moreover, through
unstructured play, they also become more resourceful, and learn about the world more
broadly, as they have to interact with their surrounding environment. And lastly, they also
spend more time in nature, developing a passion for exploration of the outside world.
Therefore, it is evident that play, regardless of the use of toys, play objects or not, and its
benefits are the same and contribute greatly to the healthy development and well-being of
children and adults alike.
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References

A Matter Of Style. (2023, March 28). What is a shape sorting toy and why is it important for

your child’s development? https://www.amatterofstyle.eu/inspire-me/what-is-a-shape-

sorting-toy-and- why-is-it-important-for-your-childs-

development#:~:text=They%20learn%20about%20shapes%2C%20colors,shape%20fits%

20into%20which%20opening.

Aussie Childcare Network Team. (2022, August 23). Importance Of Puzzles In Early Childhood.

Aussie Childcare Network. https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/articles/teaching-

children/importance-of-puzzles-in-early-

childhood#:~:text=Improvement%20of%20hand%2Deye%20coordination,%2C%20recog

nizing%20and%20problem%2Dsolving.

Bigjigs Toys Ltd. (2023, June 14). 10 Benefits Of Building Blocks For Kids. Bigjigs Toys Blog.

https://www.bigjigstoys.co.uk/blogs/posts/10-benefits-of-building-blocks-for-kids

EuroKids. (2023, June 14). The Benefits of Shape-Sorting Toys for 2-Year-Olds. EuroKids.

https://www.eurokidsindia.com/blog/the-benefits-of-shape-sorting-toys-for-2-year-

olds.php#:~:text=Beyond%20cognitive%20benefits%2C%20shape%20sorter,coordinatio

nnnnn%2C%20dexterity%2C%20and%20precision.
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HelpGuide.org. (n.d). The Benefits of Play for Adults.

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/benefits-of-play-for- adults.htm

Illinois Early Learning Project. (2018). Five Things Children Gain from Puzzle Play. IEL Resources.

https://illinoisearlylearning.org/blogs/growing/puzzle-play/

Kidz Village International Kindergarten. (2020, August 19). The benefits of children’s play with

limited resources or play without toys. https://kidz-village.ac.th/the-benefits-of-

childrens-play-with-limited-resources-or-play-without-

toys/#:~:text=When%20a%20toddler%20enjoys%20their,play%20should%20not%20be

%20overlooked.

Levine, S.C., Ratliff, K.R., Huttenlocher, J., & Cannon, J. (2012). Early Puzzle Play: A predictor of

preschoolers’ spatial transformation skill. Dev Psychol, 48(2), 530–542. doi:

10.1037/a0025913. PMCID: PMC3289766. NIHMSID: NIHMS328545. PMID: 22040312.

Nikki. (2018, July 28). Play without Toys. [Blog post]. Nikki's Blog. https://talkingtalk.co.za/play-

without-toys/

Parents Editors. (2023, May 23). Age-by-Age Guide to Toys. Parents.

https://www.parents.com/fun/toys/kid-toys/toys-for-all-ages/