Whether you are selecting toys for a single child or a group, you will most likely consider two primary questions:

• What is the purpose of the toy?

• Will the child(ren) be able and want to play with it?

The child's interests, abilities and experiences will guide how a toy is played with- for what purpose. By observing children, clues to what Play Stage they are in will help you to make a selection. Selecting toys that can be used in more than one stage will promote discovery and learning. Toys should take into account the child's age, general popularity as well as use. Open-ended toys that promote discovery offer a variety of learning opportunities for all children.

Although there are no specific features to look for in UD toys, certain elements embedded into the design of toys will allow more children to successful interact and play with the toy. In order to design a flexible, adjustable, useable toy, multiple options must be present. These inclusive design features address three primary principles: presentation appeal, usability and engagement in play.

Multiple Ways of Presentation: The design appeals to children's sensory (sound, vision, touch) abilities and preferences. A simple design makes a toy's use easy to understand.

• The toy is appealing to children. It has multiple colors, textures, dimensions and/or sounds. The toy's combination of colors, sounds, textures and/or movement is appropriate (e.g. not too much, not too little).

• The toy's use is easy to understand. Its important parts are highlighted (e.g. knobs, buttons, connectors, areas). The toy's feedback will encourage your child to continue.

Multiple Ways of Use: All children can use equivalent ways for playing with the toy. Physical effort is minimized; a variety of actions can be used to play with toys. The toy can be used in different positions. It can adjust to the child.

• The toy is easy to use. It toy is easy to pick up, hold, and/or manipulate. The parts (buttons, knobs, pieces, controls) are of adequate size and shape. An appropriate amount of effort (force, number of turns, etc.) is required. It accepts a variety of movements and is stable if intended to be.

• The toy is adjustable. It can be used in a variety of positions. The toy's features (height, volume, softness, speed, etc.) can be changed.

Multiple Ways to Play: The toy appeals to children at varying developmental levels and abilities. It encourages use for more than one purpose. The toy holds a child's interest and encourages exploration and discovery. It is fun!

• The toy can be played with in different ways. The toy adjusts for age/levels. The toy promotes use in more than one way. Your child can choose to play with the toy alone and/or with other children. The toy encourages your child to be active (physically or mentally).

• This toy is fun to play with. There is no right or wrong way to play. Its use promotes discovery (i.e. movement, cause/effect, sorting, etc.) and encourages imagination. It will be used over and over again.