Tips for parents on important things to consider when choosing healthy toys.
This article provides tips on what to look for when buying educational toys.
Just a little hint: electronic and fashionable, does not necessarily mean “educational”.
Then what are these educational toys? Most parents are intimidated by the vagueness of the wording itself, and are often easy prey for subtle marketing gimmicks and promising “For Future Einsteins” on the label.
Rules for the purchase of educational toys
All toys are educational in one way or another. But they serve this purpose best when:
- 90% child is involved in the game and 10% is a toy
- the toy can be used in several ways many times
- it encourages creativity and imagination
- it can be used together with other toys
The first 90/10 rule means that the toy should be a learning platform, not a guide for children to play. Experts favor toys that allow children to take the lead. This is supported by research on cognitive ability, according to which children learn more about a toy when they receive less instruction from adults.
Toddlers are better at developing creativity, ingenuity and the desire for discovery directly when they get the opportunity to explore the toy without the overwhelming instructions of parents who explain complex nuances to them according to the instructions.
The simpler the toy – the better. High-tech, expensive digital gadgets are not necessary for the development of your child’s intelligence.
It is better to buy traditional, old-fashioned toys such as rubber balls, plasticine, crayons, art supplies, blocks and other building toys that encourage children to use their imagination and fine motor skills to build castles, fortresses and all kinds of houses.
Basics are the best
Child psychologists recommend a list of materials and supplies that best help children learn.
It includes: paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, adhesive tape, cardboard boxes, oil paints, watercolors, sand, plasticine, building blocks, designers, puzzles, fancy dress, hats, props, dolls, clothes for dolls and simple musical instruments.
Wow. Good old classic, right? Our ancestors probably played with most of the items from this list.
Of course, dolls were then made from twigs and pieces of cloth, but the bottom line is that the list of toys compiled by modern researchers did not include modern children’s films, video games, remote-controlled helicopters and all those advertised high-tech toys.
Modern and great
If you absolutely decide to buy a modern toy, here are a few aspects to consider when choosing:
- The toy should stimulate the child’s imagination. It can be building blocks combined with toy figures or sets for a toy farm or playground.
- The toy should not be too bright or too loud – this can distract the child.
- It is worth considering the option of a toy that can grow with children as their knowledge and skills increase. It can be, for example, a children’s kitchen or a wooden train.
- It is worth considering a toy that helps develop several skills at the same time, such as a puzzle that teaches a new language (colors, shapes, new words), as well as developing motor skills (putting parts together, matching) and problem solving.
Good old times
In the old days, many parents, for one reason or another, did not buy new toys for their children. And the children did not suffer from this at all. They tore open cardboard boxes and built fortresses.
They put on performances with costumes made from old things and torn sheets. They made fabulous creatures from cardboard, pieces of tree bark and wire.
Modern children will not learn to create if we constantly buy ready-made products for them. How can they explore and invent if we don’t give them materials and say “do it yourself”?!
Let ordinary building blocks of the same size become your child’s favorite toy. May they become more beloved than all seventy-three of his dolls and teddy bears.
He will be able to build houses, fences and castles that will fall and rebuild endlessly, will grow high and as fast as your baby’s brain.