| There are children and there are toys. Something as | | | | Older children who are learning how to read should be |
| simple as a rock or a stick can be turned into a toy | | | | challenged by giving them books like pop-up books or |
| by your child. But what is different about an | | | | picture books. Flash cards and chalk boards will help |
| educational toy is that it aims to help in the | | | | reinforce what they are learning. |
| development of your child: intellectually, emotionally, | | | | 2.) Make sure the toy you are buying for your child is |
| or even physically. It combines the fun of toys with | | | | interesting and fun for him or her and not only for |
| the importance of learning something. It can teach | | | | you. If it is not fun, the toy will end up being ignored, |
| your child a certain skill, like hand-eye coordination or | | | | and forcing your child to play with it and pick it up will |
| a motor skill. | | | | only make him or her resent you. You also have to |
| It can also help him or her realize what he or she is | | | | remember that some children have very short |
| good at. This last point is important because the | | | | attention spans, so if a toy is fun, your child will not |
| Multiple Intelligence Theory by Howard Gardner says | | | | notice that lessons are being taught to him or her. |
| that there is no single definition of intelligence; there | | | | Your child will also keep on playing with it because he |
| are actually many types. With proper nurturing and | | | | or she is enjoying it. When your child enjoys the toy, |
| the right set of toys, you could help your child | | | | it stimulates the brain and prepares him or her for |
| discover and develop his or her potential. | | | | learning. |
| But just looking around, you will find that there are | | | | 3.) Giving your child toys that encourage |
| lots of toys that claim to be "educational." Finding the | | | | make-believe and creative thinking develop his or her |
| right one can be quite hard because there are so | | | | imagination. Toys like this include building blocks, action |
| many. But here are some pointers to know what the | | | | figures, dolls, coloring books and cars. Another thing is |
| right educational toy for your child easier: | | | | that children like to emulate their parents. This is |
| 1.) Your child's age is an important consideration. While | | | | especially true for older children who like to role play |
| some toys are quite universal in the sense that they | | | | and pretend to do what "grownups" do. A cooking |
| can be picked up by anybody (even adults), some of | | | | set, a doctor's kit, or archeology tools can be |
| these toys may have little parts that could be | | | | especially helpful in fostering their creativity and |
| swallowed by your child and potentially could be | | | | imagination. |
| dangerous. The other point to consider is that certain | | | | Always remember that educational toys are not |
| skills are developed at specific age groups. Younger | | | | enough for a child's holistic growth. Toys are just |
| children are fascinated by what they can do and with | | | | tools to help your child grow and cannot replace the |
| their senses. This can be made into a good way to | | | | love, care, and affection that you give to your child. |
| develop their motor skills. Good toys for younger | | | | In fact, participating in your child's playtime is a good |
| children include toys that make sounds, filling blocks, | | | | way to do both. |
| and particularly those that include shapes (like clay). | | | | |