Wooden Pull Toys - How Children and Toddlers Can Benefit From Their Use
Toys have always had an important role in contributing to children's development where they are used to practice and learn about the skills that are needed in adulthood. Toddlers and pre-school children start to develop their physical, mental and social skills and abilities through childhood play. Some traditional styles of toy like pull along toys are still made and played with by children today.
Pull toys are available in many different styles and designs. The most durable of pull toys are generally made from wood and are often designed along the lines of animals such as dogs and cows or even jungle animals like a giraffe or alligator. Pull toys can also come in the guise of transport like cars, trains and planes. A pull along would normally consist of a string attached to the front of the toy which is mounted on a set of wheels. The string is held by the toddler and the pull along rolls behind the child as they walk along.
A toddler can still benefit from playing with a wooden pull toy even if they are still unable to walk properly. Some pull along toys have a detachable string which make them safe for younger toddlers when removed and kept away from the child by an adult. A pull along often has additional moving parts as well as its' wheels. These moving parts can be explored and can aide the development of fine motor skills as a child turns the wheels or flexes the moving body parts.
By the age of 18 months plus most toddlers can walk quite well. At this age a child's pull toy can start to be used as it was intended to be and can be a lot of fun for a child. The pull along will help them to develop balance and coordination as they take their new friend on various trips. There are also wooden push along toys available which normally consists of the wheeled toy but instead of a string there is a wooden handle attached that allows for it to be pushed rather than pulled. Sometimes a baby that is turning into a young toddler may find a push toy easier to cope with depending on ability.
By the age of two a child will start to develop many newly found skills quickly, this will including; running, hopping, walking backwards, as well as starting to communicate coherently and talk. A pull toy comes into its' own at this age. A child will start to move the pull along toy in different ways be it walking forwards, backwards or moving in a circle whilst watching the toy follow them obediently. Role play can develop with the pull or push along toy becoming a new friend, baby or make believe pet. As a toddler reaches pre-school age wooden pull along toys will start to become outgrown but may fulfill a role as a social toy where a child's friends are involved and the toys are taken for pretend walks by their owners, or races are held, as pretend play and make believe becomes more important to them.
In summary, push along and pull along toys can be used by toddlers and children for a number of years as they grow and develop providing many educational bonuses and great fun along the way.