The Handbook of Developmentally Appropriate Toys

The handbook is composed of chapters by authors who discuss the important features of particular types of toys, provide information related to the developmental importance of this type of toy, discuss social and cultural issues engendered by play with such toys, and review the available research on the characteristics and potential impact on children's developmental progress of toys of that type. Both traditional toys and technological toys are discussed. The handbook is expected to serve both as a reference for educators, parents, toy designers, and other interested readers, and as a catalyst for further research and ongoing toy development. Its purpose includes helping readers to gain knowledge that enables them to more fully appreciate the value of children's toy play, find out more about the favorite toys they had in childhood and relive those satisfying play experiences, and learn how to foster the learning, physical development, and social-emotional growth that comes from such toy play.

Doris Bergen, PhD,is a distinguished professor of educational psychology emerita at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Her research interests have focused on play theory and humor development, including effects of technology-enhanced toys on play, adult memories of childhood play, and gifted children's humor. She also is a Miami University Distinguish Scholar.

Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Section I: Toys as Cultural Phenomena
Chapter 1: The Role of Toys in Promoting Children's Development
Doris Bergen
Chapter 2: Developmentally Appropriate Insights from the National Toy Hall of Fame Christopher Bench
Chapter 3: Cultural History of Developmentally Appropriate Toys
Dorothy Sluss
Section II: Developmentally Appropriate Toys
Chapter 4: Large Blocks and Building Materials
Lynn Cohen
Chapter 5: Small Blocks and Building Materials
Eleni Loizou
Chapter 6: Bicycles and Other Riding Toys
Valerie Ubbes
Chapter 7: Dolls and Animal Replicas
John Sutterby
Chapter 8: Finger/Hand Puppets and Marionets
Olga Jarrett
Chapter 9: Climbing Toys and Structures
Doris Bergen
Chapter 10: Airplanes, Kites, Rockets/Drones
Jason Abbitt
Chapter 11: Balls, Beanbags, Frisbees
Darrel Davis
Chapter 12: Replica Cars, Trucks, Trains, Other Vehicles
Annerieke Boland
Chapter 13: Science Toys
Shirley Morganthaler
Chapter 14: Crayons and Paints
Theresa Settleberry
Chapter 15: Kitchen/Household Implement Replicas
Dorothy Sluss
Chapter 16: Real Life and Fantasy Dress up Clothes and Materials
Brooke Spangler
Chapter 17: Board Games/Technology Augmented Games
James Johnson & Sonia Twari
Chapter 18: Craft/Workshop Replicas
Sandra Stone
Chapter 19: Indigenous Toys
Jean-Pierre Rossie
Chapter 20: Books
Kathleen Roskos
Chapter 21: Puzzles and Musical Toys
Doris Bergen & Gail Burnett
Chapter 22: Technology-Augmented Dolls, Animals, and Vehicles
Sohyun Meacham & Myae Han
Chapter 23: Other Technology-Augmented Play Materials
Lena Lee
Section 3: Future of Developmentally Appropriate Toys
Chapter 24: Designing Developmentally Appropriate Toys
Barry Kudrowitz
Chapter 25: Promoting Developmentally Appropriate Toys in a Changing Child Cultural World Doris Bergen
Author Information