In the guide, there are suggestions for parents on the selection of books that have an important place in the development of children, and games and toys, which are defined as the "training of life".

In the guide titled "Suggestions to Families in Choosing Books and Toys for Children" prepared by the Directorate General of Child Services of the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the benefits of books, games and toys for children, the factors to be considered in the selection of books and toys are explained and suggestions are made.

In the guide, it is stated that the child's ability to establish a positive connection with the book depends on meeting with books that are suitable for her/his age, development level, interests and needs, and the suggestions that will help children gain the habit of reading are listed as follows:

• Be a role model for reading to your child.
• Encourage your child to buy books with their own pocket money.
• Read books to children, starting from early childhood.
• For illiterate children, ask them to tell a story by looking at the pictures of the books.
• Do not neglect the bookcase while preparing a room for your child before the birth.
• Go to the library, bookstores and book fairs with your child.
• Encourage the child to borrow books.
• Sing a lullaby or tell a fairy tale to your child before bed, depending on her/his age.
• Organize reading hours by leaving the television, mobile phone and other technological devices out of use at a certain time of the day.

In the guide, information is given about the characteristics of the books for children aged 0-6 in terms of content, format, language and picture.

Expensive toy may not be an appropriate one

In the guide, which also emphasizes the importance of games and toys in the development of children, it is stated that “Play is the training of life. The choice of toys that children use in this training is very important. Parents may turn to expensive options in terms of providing the right toys for their children. However, an expensive toy may not always be an appropriate one. Parents should pay attention to the fact that the toy supports the positive development of the child and is beneficial for the child.”

Children can solve their problems while playing

In the guide, which points out that play is the child's way of communicating with her/his environment, it is expressed that:

“Even just watching the children who are thought to have a problem while playing, provides us with important information about the source of the problem. While playing, the child both expresses her/his troubles and learns to relate to her/his environment and starts to take the first steps of being an individual. The child also learns to adapt to the rules of society and morality while playing. Children playing with their friends gain the emotions such as sharing, being patient and the skills necessary for them in their social life such as cooperating. Playing games is the child's learning through her/his own experiences the subjects that she/he cannot learn from anyone in order to get to know life.”

It should not contain violence and fear elements

The following suggestions and warnings are made about choosing toys in the guide:

• Toys should not contain elements that negatively affect the psychosocial development of the child, such as fear, violence, and bad behavior.
• The right toy does not necessarily have to be expensive. The most important point for the child is the selection of toys that activate her/his imagination, activate her/his cognitive processes and have educational features.
• Children learn with their senses especially in the 0-3 age period. For this reason, it should be paid attention to the fact that the toys chosen appeal to the child's sense organs.
• Toys with violent content or inciting violence, such as guns and knives, should not be purchased.
• It should be noted that the purchased toy does not contain elements contrary to national and sentimental values and universal moral rules.
• It should be noted that the toy is strong and durable, and that the paint does not come off quickly.
• Toys should be as simple as possible, designed in an easy-to-understand way, without details and with rounded corners. Toys with pointed and sharp surfaces should not be preferred.
• The battery case of battery operated toys should not be opened easily and should be screwed. It should be paid attention to the age restrictions on the toy, especially toys containing small parts that can be swallowed by babies should not be preferred.
• It should be paid attention to the presence of CE mark on the toy, which shows its compliance with health, safety and environmental protection standards. It is very important that the toy does not contain harmful chemicals.
• Toys whose material smells bad should never be bought.
• Plush toys may cause allergic reactions in babies. For this reason, fluffy and plush toys should not be given to babies to play with.
• Babies should never be given balloons because of the risk of bursting and blocking the windpipe.