Developmental psychologists view play as the major means through which physical, cognitive, and social skills are mastered, especially during the preschool years. Unfortunately, many adults are so focused on the work ethic that they tend to denigrate children's play. Some parents criticize preschool teachers for letting children play too much, or schedule their children's lives so heavily with lessons that there is little time for play. Some teachers push early academics because they think it will make parents happy and ignore research that shows this is harmful in the long run, producing early achievers who later burn out and find little joy in learning.

Your task is to pick one toy or play material that will meet the physical, cognitive, and social needs of preschoolers (ages 3-5), and answer these questions about your toy. It must be a toy/object to use in play; no computer or educational games. 

First tell me what toy you have chosen.

Explain specifically how this toy can stimulate physical development (large or small motor skills). Which skills are developed?
Explain specifically how this toy can help a child develop cognitive skills, giving a few example of what might be learned.
Explain specifically how this toy could contribute to the development of social skills.

There should be 1-2 paragraphs for each question.