We all want our children to develop skills in
problem solving, creativity, sharing, and reading.
Educational toys are a great opportunity to combine play, social
interaction, practice, and learning. The problem we face as parents
is that there are so many toys on the market that are labeled
'educational'. They are not always what they claim to be and often
can be quite costly. So what do we look for in an educational toy?
What we look for will depend on the age of each child.
Infant to preschool
What first comes to mind are
baby rattles and
teethers. These are great for this age, but the right ones can
also serve more than one purpose. Rattles with bright colors and
geometric shapes can reinforce connections between colors and
shapes. Teethers can also be in chewable shapes and bright colors.
They can also have spinners that keep children busy and content. It
is also good to buy teethers that stimulate baby's gums and ease the
pressure that builds as teeth begin to appear.
It is also good to buy toys that reinforce the
connections children already make between colors, shapes, words, and
pictures. Such toys are good because they strengthen your child's
understanding of building, reading, following directions, tasks, and
motor coordination.
As a child's brain develops, he or she is always making associations
between shape, size, and color. Children need to learn things you
and I take for granted such as, round things roll away but square
things don't. Things that are hidden can be uncovered and small
things can fit inside larger ones. Choose toys that can help
children understand these concepts.
Children Ages 3 to 5
It is good to buy toys that promote creativity in children. These
type of toys include puzzles,
building blocks, clay, interlocking logs or other types of
interlocking pieces, coloring books, and puppets. Also, consider
toys that mimic real life for your children such as kitchen
equipment. This allows your child to start developing real world
skills while playing.
Older toddlers will have finer motor coordination and a more
advanced imagination. Smaller, complicated pieces, such as wooden
logs, plastic snowflakes, tubes and gears, or foam shapes will
advance their construction abilities. They'll probably make up
stories to go along with their creations, such as a castle getting
attacked, a train coming into town, or a family going to the zoo.
Remember, creativity. Try to get toys that promote this in your
children.
Children Ages 5 to 8
At this age children will benefit from interactive toys that
complement their new skills at alphabet recognition, writing,
drawing, and reading. Coloring books that combine information with
creative expression are a good choice. Games that provide hands-on
practice with reading basics are also a good choice as are games
that builds math, language and science concepts and logic, reasoning
and visual perception skills. Building block style toys help
encourage creativity in children.
Children Ages 8 and Up
Older children are still attracted to seemingly simple games, such
as putting together a puzzle. Any kits that enable a completed
project will give a creative child more confidence in his or her
ability to create a permanent, finished product. Some kits let kids
design and bead jewelry, make their own autobiography, or fashion
pottery like a dog's water dish. They'll read and follow directions,
tell their own stories, and create a gift for a beloved family
member. Follow your intuition on what your child already finds
fascinating to reward their natural curiosity.
When you are buying toys for your children remember that just
because it says 'educational' does not mean it is worth buying.
Stick with companies that have been in the business of educational
toys for several years. They are evidently doing something right.
Also, take to your child's teachers, even your pre-school teachers.
They are often experts at good educational toys.
How Long Will They Last and Are They Safe?
The toys we buy should be fun for our children. If not, our children
will tire of them quickly and then we have wasted our money.
Purchase toys that can be played with in several different ways.
This is one reason toys that promote creativity are good. For
example, with building block styles toys, you child can make a car
today, an airplane tomorrow, a house the next day, and so on. He or
she is only limited by their own imagination.
Is the toy safe? Don't buy a toy just because it is cheap. Remember,
we often get what we pay for and we don't want to skimp when it
comes to our child's safety. We want our children to play with toys
that are safe and some companies put more emphasis on this than
others. Because safer toys are more expensive to make they will
usually cost more, but they are worth the extra investment.
The Toy Finder Chart
When kids have access to the right toys, they have
the opportunity to learn through play. But when choosing for their
children, most parents feel like they are totally in the dark!
That's what Toy Finder is all about. On the
Toy
Finder Chart you simply match your child's age range to the
developmental goals you have in mind, and you will find a list of
recommended toys. Smart. Easy. And Fast!
In fact, we are more committed than ever to helping you raise
smarter kids. And a big part of that is helping you understand what
you're buying and why you're buying it.
Discovery Toys
I am a Discovery Toys Consultant. Have you ever seen
a child push a truck through a pretend town, creating conversations
and sound effects all along the way? That's what Discovery Toys is
all about... kid powered play! And, each of those moments of joyous
play is a reason to celebrate!
We've been offering families toys, books and games that lead to
learning for over 28 years. And, with the continual updating of our
product line, children and their families can share in those magical
moments of learning and fun and reap a lifetime of rewards.
Discovery Toys is a name you can trust! Each of our products has
been kid tested and expert approved. Each is backed by our
unconditional guarantee.
Exceptional Quality and Value
Good toys, books and games carefully selected, can enhance and
direct a child's physical, social, emotional and intellectual
growth. Our product team custom designs many of our products to
enhance and reinforce specific areas of a child's development.
Our child development specialists also select the best products
available internationally with vendors around the world to assure
that we always offer you a wide variety of toys that are appropriate
and fun for children at each stage of their lives.
The Right Products at the Right Time
Our great products are presented to you by me, your personal
Educational Consultant, who knows them and believes in them. At a
Discovery Toys Party, Fair or Personal Shopping Appointment, you can
pick up the toys, play with them and ask questions about what our
products will do for your child. You can talk about your child's
needs and interests, and know that you'll have help making a choice
that's just right. This special service comes at no extra charge --
it's just the way we do business.
The Discovery Toys Guarantee
Discovery Toys backs every product with an unconditional guarantee.
If you're not completely satisfied, we'll exchange your purchase or
issue a refund at any time.
