| Jean Piaget was a 20th century educational theorist | | | | that allow them to try out adult roles, such as dress |
| and researcher who has had a significant impact on | | | | up clothes and toys, and use their imaginations are |
| the way we understand children. He once said that | | | | best for children in this stage. This is also the stage |
| "play is the work of childhood." He developed the | | | | when academics enters the picture. Children need |
| idea that children pass through four distinct stages as | | | | toys that develop number sense, reading and the |
| they grow from infants into adults. We will discuss | | | | beginnings of logical thinking, such as puzzles at this |
| these stages and the overall benefits of educational | | | | stage. |
| toys in this article. | | | | Concrete Operational |
| Sensorimotor | | | | The next stage is the concrete operational stage. |
| The first stage that a child goes through is the | | | | This stage lasts from about age seven through 12. In |
| sensorimotor stage. This stage lasts from birth until | | | | this stage, a child's ability to think logically is just |
| about 24 months of age. In this stage, the child | | | | starting to develop. Thinking is very concrete. |
| moves from the reflexes of an infant to the | | | | Providing toys that encourage the development of |
| understanding that objects remain even when they | | | | academic skills, critical thinking and a greater |
| are out of sight and the ability to think symbolically. | | | | awareness of the world is essential. |
| At each point along the way, the toys given to a | | | | Formal Operational |
| child must be appropriate for the substage that the | | | | Throughout the teen years and into adulthood, the |
| child is progressing through. | | | | child's ability to think abstractly develops. Less time is |
| Newborns and young babies need toys that they can | | | | spent on playing with toys and more time is devoted |
| explore safely with their mouths. Throughout the | | | | to specific hobbies and interests, as well as socializing |
| sensorimotor stage, the primary means of learning | | | | and friends. Hobbies and other interests should be |
| takes place through the child's senses. As babies get | | | | encouraged by providing the child with experiential |
| older toys that yield predictable results, such as a | | | | activities and opportunities to include his or her |
| rattle, are important. Eventually, the young toddler will | | | | friends, when possible. |
| do experiments with the toys to see what kinds of | | | | Short- And Long-Term Effects |
| results he or she can get with them. Stacking toys, | | | | Children who have been provided with educational |
| toys that show causes and effect, toys that children | | | | toys continue to reap the benefits of them well into |
| can manipulate are all suitable for children of this | | | | their twenties. IQ test scores are also higher (by as |
| stage. | | | | much as 50 points) in children who have been |
| Preoperational | | | | provided educational toys. There are many benefits |
| At about the age of two through seven years old, | | | | of educational toys. The child learns interpersonal |
| children proceed through the preoperational stage. | | | | skills, academic, motor and thinking skills all while |
| Children at this age cannot think logically. They do | | | | having a good time. Every child deserves the |
| have great imaginations and magical thinking. Toys | | | | advantages of playing with educational toys. |