Do you think the age specification indicated on toy boxes really considers child
Do you think the age specification indicated on toy boxes really considers children development?
Or are we being led on and asking too much from our children too soon? I've noticed that my children start taking notice of a particular toy much later than what they were suppose to, if you believe in the age specification factor. First I thought it was them, but now I'm really starting to wonder...I think it depends on the child. The age specs on toys are given according to guidelines set out in the eighties according to 'average' children at the time. My daughter happens to like some things earlier than the age on the box, some things later. She has just turned 5 and has a load of Barbies, but also still has the baby dolls she has had since she was 2! I don't worry too much, she plays with what she likes, and ditches it when she has had enough.
I think it takes in to account a variety of things. Child development, based on their own market research, I am sure comes in. They go off averages. Not all kids like the same things at the same age, and liking/noticing something isn't an indicator of readiness. My 5 year old loves to play Battleship. Does that mean he can? No, he's not developmentally ready to read a grid with out error. I don't take too much notice of ages on boxes, just use my own judgement if I think my child is ready or not.
I think they do a pretty good job. My kids tend to use things earlier than stated on boxes. Some labeling is done for their own protection- like anything that says not suitable for under 3 is more because the company doesn't want to get sued because a small child choked on a part.Some toys do have an appropriate age reference, some others seem to mainly indicate a minimum age the child should have to be exposed to small parts of the game. Typical is 3+, when there are small pieces, to avoid choking hazards and such; but the game may not even be interesting for a 3-yr-old yet.
Only in a general sense. Obviously there are children that are smarter than most in their age bracket. These children are not considered in this round of testing. It's generalized like any other statistical report. Quantity wins.
