Toy Evaluation: Zoomer Hedgiez By Spin Master
On Walmart. com, I found the toy “Zoomer Hedgiez” by Spin Master, which is an electronic pretend pet hedgehog that I chose to evaluate.
This very interactive toy, has head as well as stomach sensors, a button on the nose, and Light Emitting Diode eyes. They can perform tricks, such as: headstands, somersaults, wiggles, whistling, curling up in a ball, laughing, blowing kisses, and other noises. The toy comes with a comb to style the hedgehogs sparkly pink fur. In the toys’ description, “Zoomer Hedgiez” are recommended for all children ages 4 and up. Although the sparkly pink fur, as well as the styling comb, suggests this toy is mainly advertised to attract young girls. The toy is appropriate for the ages of four plus, because by the age of four, fine-motor skills and coordination have increased in efficiency and become more exact.
This improvement in fine motor skills will allow children to easily press the buttons, handle, and brush the “Zoomer Hedgiez. ” Children from ages four to seven are very curious according to Piaget’s “Intuitive Thought Substage, ” and the toy can arise a lot of questions, as result of several interactive aspects included in the toy.
Due to social influences on gender, a boy playing with a sparkly pink toy may be rejected by his peers, because it is not culturally viewed as sex-appropriate. his is caused by the pink color and sparkles which are normally viewed as the sex-appropriate toys for females.
The purpose of Zoomer Hedgiez is to entertain a child and allow stimulation through interaction with the toy. It also allows a child to use their imagination, learn to care for this toy pet, and can also help process emotions. If a parent or caregiver cares for a real pet in the home, this toy may offer moral development through imitation of this care and love for a pretend pet. It gives children a chance to role-play and test the reality of how others care for their animals. The imitation of similar behaviors to a parent or caregiver is a lot more likely in conscience development if they have a close and wholesome relationship with their parent or caregiver.
Play is so beneficial for the development of a child, especially the pretend and make-believe characteristics offered by the Zoomer Hedgiez toy that can boost a child’s creativity. The comb included, can offer valuable skills in brushing and styling, that a young girl may utilize in the future on one’s own hair. If I were to invent a toy, that is for ages four and up, with the goal to increase learning and development, I would limit the toy’s interactivity. This is because imagination and creativity are very important to child development. With less interactive qualities such as: less lights, less noises, and less tricks, children will be forced to imagine their interactions. Also, I would make the toy in all different colors and styles to allow children of both genders to play and learn with the toy.
Lastly, I would include more than just a comb to go with the pretend hedgehog toy purposefully to offer a sense of responsibility with the pet. Items like a leash, a bed, and a bowl will make a child think more about how to care for a living thing.
