Which statement about toys for a 3-year-old is most appropriate for safe play?

Which statement about toys for a 3-year-old is most appropriate for safe play?

• A. A video game
• B. A wagon
• C. A remote-controlled car
• D. A heavy metal drum

Answer: (B)

Safety and development for a preschooler depend on toys that are sturdy, simple, and free of small parts that could be swallowed, while encouraging active, supervised play. A wagon fits this well: it’s generally durable, has no small detachable pieces, and invites a child to push or pull, helping with balance, leg strength, and gross-motor skills during outdoor play. It also lends itself to caregiver involvement and safe, varied use in different settings. A video game, while not inherently dangerous, centers on screens and can promote sedentary time, which isn’t ideal for a 3-year-old who needs active, physical play. A remote-controlled car introduces small parts and a battery, raising choking and injury risks if parts detach or get misused. A heavy metal drum is sizable and easy to tip or strike in ways that can injure a child, and its weight and noise make it less appropriate for safe, controlled play at this age.

Safety and development for a preschooler depend on toys that are sturdy, simple, and free of small parts that could be swallowed, while encouraging active, supervised play. A wagon fits this well: it’s generally durable, has no small detachable pieces, and invites a child to push or pull, helping with balance, leg strength, and gross-motor skills during outdoor play. It also lends itself to caregiver involvement and safe, varied use in different settings.

A video game, while not inherently dangerous, centers on screens and can promote sedentary time, which isn’t ideal for a 3-year-old who needs active, physical play. A remote-controlled car introduces small parts and a battery, raising choking and injury risks if parts detach or get misused. A heavy metal drum is sizable and easy to tip or strike in ways that can injure a child, and its weight and noise make it less appropriate for safe, controlled play at this age.