Introduction

Playing is an essential part of cognitive development for children, as it enhances their interaction with the external environment. Play allows children to coordinate body movements, develop speech abilities and gain a broader understanding of the world through mastery of instruction. Developmental science research provides that children use play to explore their potential and limits to performing tasks other than from amusement purposes only. The theory of cognitive development in children by Jean Piaget provides that different stages of development characterized by different types of play that assist in enhancing cognitive skills and promoting correspondence to successive stages of growth. According to Piaget’s theory, the preoperational stage is the second stage of cognitive development in children that occurs from age 2-7 years.

During this stage, children start to develop speech and ability to master symbolic function that assists in symbolic play, and make-believe games (Piaget and Inhelder). At this stage, children can associated objects with words although they have not yet developed sound understanding. Toys are the critical element of play, and age three children require a toy that will assist in mastery of symbolic function. As such, I would develop a toy collection that includes charts and colorful, kinetic sand.

Design a Toy

The toy comes as a collection that includes kinetic sand and charts. Kinetic sand is fun to play with for both children and adults, as such it allows parents and guardians to participate in the play process making it more interactive and educative. Kinetic sand is modified nonstick sand that moldable into different shapes and sizes.  The collection combines a chart of various forms and objects that serve as an education guideline to train children on shapes, items, and colors. The kinetic sand chart set is intended for children of three years. It assists in symbolic mastery during the preoperational stage of growth (Piaget and Inhelder). Children have different ways of playing with the toy. Separately kinetic sand can be used to mold shapes for both educational and amusement purposes as it comes in different colors. While the charts of forms and objects are an instructional tool to help children master colors and objects, using their names and appearances.

Collectively, the child can mold shapes according to diagrams on the chart, and it promotes the development of more mastery of forms, object, and appearances. Features that make the toy developmentally appropriate, include; kinetic sand can be manipulated, molding different shapes allows the child to enhance body movements and develop molding artistry. The kinetic sand comes in different colors; it helps children understand forms and identify color in other objects they see in their environment.  Additionally, it includes a chart of various objects, shapes, and colors, and it helps children to differentiate objects based on appearance and form.

The kinetic sand chart kit helps in enhancing different domains of development within children; the toy assists in the establishment of gross motor skills. Playing and manipulating the kinetic sand into different shapes requires body movements that enhance a child’s motor skills such as grip of objects and hand movements.  It also promotes the growth of excellent motor skills and physical development. From manipulating shapes children develop creativity and artistry. Children also learn the symbolic interaction of shapes, objects, and colors. Additionally, the toy helps in emotional development. The kinetic sand together with the chart helps the child have a broader understanding of shapes, objects, and color thus promoting interaction with other objects in the external environment.

There are several developmental domains stimulated during the play process. As the child manipulates the kinetic sand into different shapes, his gross motor skills enhance through sensory stimulation and auditory attention that requires him to develop forms and objects from the immediate environment. Physical development and excellent motor skills are stimulated through the visual, kinesthetic and auditory stimulation while manipulating shapes according to objects perceived in the chart or within the external environment. Children also enhance emotional development through the creation of ideal play setting from kinetic sand such as a house, kitchen among others. The charts also promote motor skills, language skills, cognitive skills, and build a child’s self-esteem. Through developing of different shapes inspired by objects in the chart diagrams, the child develops sensory awareness of other forms and expand his exploration of other structures within his immediate environment. The charts are an essential study instruction and illustration for every learning. The kinetic sand and chart kit makes play a fun, interactive and explorative experience for both children and adults.

As mentioned before specific features of toy include colored kinetic sand pieces, and a chart containing interesting objects, shapes, and colors. The toy set includes kinetic sand of bright and bold color scheme that is attractive and appealing to children. Depending on the child, parents can either supervise the play or provide clear instructions to the child by pointing out that kinetic sand is not edible. Otherwise, there are no other injuries that may arise from the game with the kinetic sand.

Conclusion

Play serves an instrumental role in promoting cognitive growth among children. It keeps the children active, interactive and explorative of their environment, thus assisting in the learning process. Therefore, parents should promote playtime for children to support the develop confidence, coping abilities, boost their flexibility and encourage positive interaction with other children during playdates. The kinetic sand chart kit would serve as an educational as well as an entertainment toy for three-year-olds. It allows the children to realize cognitive development in different developmental domains.

Works Cited

Piaget, Jean, and Barbel Inhelder. The Psychology Of The Child. 2008.

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