Teaching your child with math, science or history toys isn’t the only way to ensure your child is learning while playing with toys. Toys can be educational as long as it aids in the positive development of the child. Learning how to grab an object is a great way for a baby to learn motor skills. Toys that encourage older children to use creativity and logical skills help them through solving problems. Choosing the right kind of toy can be a task in itself. Here are a few pointers to help you out:
Toys should be Fun
Toys are designed to be fun. If a toy stops being fun, then it stops being a toy. Encouraging fun with an educational toy will open up a whole new world and new skills to your kids. Picking out age-appropriate toys is important to give them challenges. Too much challenge and the child will get frustrated and will stop playing with the toy. Not enough challenge and the child won’t grow problem solving skills, coordination or even the ability to learn.
Parents, you need to choose the right toys that match the child’s age and abilities. As a parent, you will need to teach your child how to play with the toy. Yes, that means getting down on the floor and playing with your children. Let the child choose the toy they want to play with. When the child chooses the toy, they might play and learn for a longer period of time.
Elements of Educational Toys
It’s all up to you to decide if the toy is educational. Manufacturers may claim that the toy is educational, but is it right for you child? Here are a few things to look for on a toy to help your child’s education and development:
- Stimulation – This kind of toy is especially important for young babies, who are still developing new skills. Check to see which senses the toy stimulates, whether that means visual, aural or touch.
- Imagination – Does the toy stimulate the imagination? Sometimes the best educational toys for imagination are the simplest ones. For example, some studies have shown that simple wooden toys encourage creative thinking more than complex electronic gadgets.
- Social - Iѕ the toy good for playing with other children? Playtime is an excellent opportunity for children to develop social skills with siblings or friends. Some toys are more conducive to socializing than others.
- Expression – Does the toy help children to express themselves? This could mean toys involving artwork, writing, taking photographs or telling stories.
These are not the only things to look for in an educational toy, but they are a good place to start. Educational toys are designed to make the child happy, grow and learn from the time spent with the toy. Our responsibility as parents is to make sure they are learning and, most of all, having fun with that toy.