Pull Along Toys

By Gary Clay

Young children learn and develop through their everyday play activities. They gain social skills, develop cognitive thinking, and even learn language skills during normal childhood play. Toys have always been an important part of childhood and there are some classic playthings that still entertain, amuse, and educate children across the world. Delightful pull along toys are one of those classics that provide hours of developmentally appropriate play to children during several stages of growth.

Pull along toys are available in many designs and a number of styles. The most durable pull alongs are made of wood, like the very first models, but they can also be found made of plastic now. These toys are commonly modeled after animals, like dogs, ducks, or even crocodiles. They may also be cars, trains, or other familiar objects. The toy typically has a string attached to the front and a set of sturdy wheels along the bottom. They are designed to roll behind children as they play.

Early toddlers just learning to walk may still be too unstable to pull a toy as they toddle and may learn to walk better with a push toy. Until they master their new strides, they can still enjoy exploring the movement of pushing a pull along toy as they sit or crawl. Toddlers will develop fine motor skills by making the toy move with their hands. As se discovers a number of different ways to make the toy move, she will enhance her thinking skills as well.

By about 18 months, most children can walk fairly well and may even be starting to run. Pull along toys are a lot of fun at this age. Your little one will laugh with delight to see her little yellow duck waddling along behind her! Watch your child closely as she plays with her pull along toys at this age. Her desire to run may cause injuries if there are too many obstacles in her way.

Between two and three years of age, children are growing quickly and their large muscle skills are developing just as fast. Two year olds love to run and jump and their language skills are beginning to emerge. Pull along toys are extremely beneficial to development at this age. Your child may experiment with several different ways of pulling the toy, including walking backwards or hopping. She may also begin to pretend play with her favorite pull alongs, making believe the toy is her pet, her baby, or her friend.

Children will typically outgrow their pull along toys sometime during their preschool years, but many preschoolers still enjoy these classic toys. Preschoolers love to use their imagination in play. Pretend and make believe is a part of almost every activity at this age. Preschoolers are also becoming very social and love to play with their friends. The last games your child will play with her pull along toys will most likely involve her friends and their toys as well. They may hold races between their favorites or pretend to walk their pets through the park. No matter how your child decides to play with her pull along toys, they are sure to provide years of educational play.



Gary Clay is the owner of MonkeyShine, a traditional toy shop http://www.monkeyshine.co.uk

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