| Children love to play and it is the most natural | | | | and relationship building. |
| way for them to learn. Toys can provide a | | | | On Monday October 5, 2009 my wife and I |
| means for parents and or caregivers to connect | | | | welcomed our fifth grandchild, a boy, into our |
| relationally with children through play. Studies show | | | | family. As I observed him in the hospital nursery |
| that learning is enhanced as parents - caregivers | | | | waving his little arms and legs shortly after his |
| participate in the activities of their children. | | | | birth I could not help myself from thinking that his |
| Interaction during play also provides opportunities | | | | brain was already preparing him for the world |
| for parents - caregivers to observe the various | | | | around him. With that, here a few ideas that may |
| skills that are developing and continue to build | | | | help you when looking for educational toys for |
| upon them as well as observe under developed | | | | your child... |
| areas and help these areas to grow. | | | | - Look for age appropriate toys that will challenge |
| According to the NPD Group, a leading market | | | | their imagination. Problem solving helps prepare |
| research company, the toy manufacturing | | | | them for real life situations |
| industry boasted $21.64 billion in sales in 2008. This | | | | - Look for toys with your child in mind. Like |
| may or may not surprise you, but toy sales in | | | | everything else, trends find their way in the toy |
| 2008 in a shaky and uncertain economy were | | | | market also and may not be suitable toy(s) for |
| only down 4% from toy sales in 2006 when the | | | | your child |
| USA seemed to be enjoying a stable and even | | | | - Do not fall prey to claims made by advertisers. |
| growing economy. Many toy manufacturers make | | | | Many educational toys have greatly improved in |
| claims that their products will facilitate learning and | | | | recent years, but some are more entertaining |
| growth in the six crucial areas of early childhood | | | | than educational. A little personal research on your |
| development. But do they really? | | | | part can reveal a lot. |
| Children from infancy to six years of age will | | | | - Safety first. Is the toy safe for your child? |
| experience some positive growth and | | | | Remember 1 - 2 year olds like putting things in |
| development with almost any toy that they | | | | their mouth |
| engage during playtime because their brain is being | | | | - Stay away from any toy that promotes even |
| stimulated and is gathering information with every | | | | the slightest hint of violence or negative social |
| experience. This is why parents - caregivers | | | | behavior |
| should seek advice from a pediatrician or an | | | | - When in doubt, seek the advice of a pediatrician |
| educator who specializes in early childhood | | | | or an early childhood education and development |
| education and development as to what toys will | | | | educator - specialist |
| be best suited for their child. In doing this parents | | | | With the 2009 holiday season quickly approaching |
| - caregivers will discover that the best educational | | | | many parents - caregivers will purchase toys for |
| toy is not what a manufacturer may claim, but | | | | their children. However, while choosing toys that |
| the one that works best at stimulating interaction | | | | will aid in your child's educational development, it is |
| with them and their child. Toys are not a | | | | important for parents - caregivers to keep in |
| substitute to keep children busy by themselves, | | | | mind, their personal interaction with their child is |
| but an avenue to support loving, caring interaction | | | | the best gift that they can give. |