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It’s tempting to put our kids in front of the TV or allow them to play video games all day to pacify them and keep them busy and well-behaved. Even if we know that too much TV and video games is not good for them, sometimes this strategy seems to be the only way for them not to bother us with their hyper-active imaginations and stubbornness, and for us to gain a little peace of mind.  Kids can be ultra-focused when watching their favorite cartoons or playing an interactive digital game—as opposed to playing with traditional kids toys such as dolls or trains, which kids these days tend to get easily bored with, what with all the exciting technologies that stimulate and distract from the microwave oven in your kitchen to the MP3 player and ultra-hip gadgets of your teenager, to the lawnmower in the garage and media messages hovering all around.  With all these exciting objects in your house alone, it’s hard for your kid to be occupied with one lousy toy for a considerable amount of time. 

Simpler toys for better imagination

There are parents who try to ban television and video games all-together and raise their children in a low-technology and traditional household where toys are made of natural or recycled materials. They believe that raising a child in a simpler environment without the clutter and saturation of high technology (especially television) will help develop a child’s imagination and increase their focus and concentration. With simple educational toys, kids can create an entire universe in their minds, as opposed to having a toy that already recreates a planet or simulates the workings of a universe in detail.

There’s no escaping technology

We can’t deny advances in technology, however, in the same way that we can’t deny that life goes on even if we locked ourselves in a bomb shelter or lived in a secluded island.

Depriving our children of the technologies available to everyone in this day and age is like painting a different world from what is actually happening.  We will be creating a bubble for them that will make their perspectives and perceptions about life and the world distorted, and ultimately, irrelevant and obsolete.  They will be at a disadvantage when they grow older, to the point of becoming naive. 

Combining education and entertainment

There is no point denying that technology and the Internet permeates our society; and as decades pass, we see that we’re becoming dependent on these technologies even more and more. Toy manufacturers are taking heed and riding the technological band-wagon and are creating high-tech toys.  Edutainment toys are one of the latest in toddler educational toys. As you would have guessed, these toys combine education and entertainment. These toys usually have high-tech electronics and computer chips embedded on them, making them fun and interactive; at the same time, they contain educational content, anywhere from math to science, to logic and sounds.  Some of these have educational videos which require a push of a button or have touch-screen interface. With these toys, not only are kids learning through the educational content showed in the video, they are also getting a “head-start” on manipulating technological gadgets—a primer for learning how to use a computers and other technological gadgets that are so ubiquitous today (i.e. cell phones, PDAs, GPS, and so on). Traditional toys such as dolls and trains are also getting technological make-over these days. There are dolls that are designed to interact with your kid, as well as the Internet. There are also trains that can be controlled using infrared remotes and make electronic sounds. 

The balance between technology and imagination

But there is also a flipside; we can’t saturate our children with technologies and high-tech toys and expect them to be imaginative and be appreciative of life.  Chances are, they will grow weary too fast and will lose their sense of awe and wonder, making them cynical, and well, bored.  Like zombies or robots, they will be filling their database and collecting information that has no meaning to them. Thus, when buying our children’s educational toys, we have to strike a balance between technology and its ability to hone imagination. 

While high-tech toys introduce children to computers and technologies which they will no doubt have a great need for when they grow up, there is still no substitute for real-life experience and using the imagination with, say, a couple of wooden blocks or some sticks and a sandbox.  The question is, how will you be able to integrate simplicity and high technology to create a balance?

Appreciation not saturation

One way to keep our child’s imagination and awe and wonder of the world is to think of their toys as their initiation to the workings of the world and the tools they need to succeed in life.  If you see toys as a form of education, then you should think about them in stages. It’s unlikely to understand quantum mechanics without some knowledge of Newtonian physics. Before your child can go to the next stage, they should be able to grasp basic concepts. But then, never underestimate the mind of a child.  Their neurons can make twice as many connections than your own. Give them toys that are appropriate for their stage of learning, but at the same time, are challenging enough for them to sustain their interest. For them to learn how to appreciate things, particularly, their toys, you should buy and give toys one at a time, not all at the same time.

Toys and the stages of learning

Baby toys should be about stimulating the five senses: touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing. For toddlers, you want to advance to toys that teach classification, identification, differentiation, cause and effect, relationships, and motor skills. For preschoolers, you want them to improve their logic and reasoning and their problem-solving. For grade-schoolers, you want them to explore and grasp more complex and abstract ideas such as scientific and philosophical concepts, expand their imaginations and be able to express and communicate this verbally or through other media such as art and music. 

Most parents are traditional. This is probably true since parenting cannot be a trial and error process. There are certain areas in which such can be applicable.

But most of the time, parents rely to time-tested ideas especially when it concerns their children’s health and development. However, there are certain beliefs which most parents adhere to but not admittedly acknowledge that they are wrong. These theories somehow affect one’s decisions especially when it comes to making choices for their children. Look into the following and see if you one of those who are influenced by false beliefs.

1) Toys are only fun. They are fun – there is no contention with that. But they do not only mean such. They can be educational and helpful too. Like toddler toys, they enable children discover their strengths and weaknesses, as well as develop their interests. There are no direct ways to teach children aside from exposing them to the real deal. Even in terms of communication, parents oftentimes need to incorporate play just to motivate their kids to participate.

Children are often curious, that’s true. But there is no better way to grab their attention than to play with their interests. These things greatly promote emotional and mental development for these youngsters because they lack the foundation to understand harder and more complicated concepts. Toys are attractive and even rewarding to deal with, that is why they are great instruments for learning. And throughout the process, kids always gain something, whether it’s cognitive learning or simply self-esteem.

2) Educational toys are expensive. This is not necessarily true. Toddler learning toys come in various forms, thus the flexibility in price as well. Typically, parents deem educational ones as those with technological advantage or those that allow a greater degree of interaction between the child and the object itself. But what they fail to recognize is that there are also simple toys that can be educational such as numbered blocks and colorful puzzles. Given this variety, parents are also given an array of items to choose from without having to be bothered by financial constraints. Musical toys, for one, can also contribute a lot on your child’s mental and emotional growth. What parents need to have is not money but patience in finding items that will surely reap value on their end.

3) Toys are the ultimate play mates. Whether they are interactive or simply waiting room toys, they are generally great for your children. They can be found and bought anywhere, and you can find what you need at the cost that you can afford. They may be ultimate in the sense that they provide both joy and learning. But they can only be such. They ought to serve as play things, not really players who need to allow interaction with your child to reach his or her full potential. Children need feedback and these objects cannot speak of them. They cannot give subjective remarks that will also be helpful in molding their characters and personality. Parents are still the ultimate play mates since they select and provide the materials for play, and they participate throughout the learning and exciting process.

4) They are made for children so parents need not to be selective. Childrens play sets are designed for children with the needs of these kids in mind. However, it cannot be avoided that some manufacturers are introducing products to the market whose intention are simply for their customers’ sake.

Profit-oriented businesses may tend to produce cheaper items to encourage demand and increase in sales using cheaper raw materials which may not be good for children’s use. Parents should always remember that their kids have more sensitive needs which only parents can recognize. Therefore, these guardians should always be wary and cautious in selecting toys for their kids.

You should read the product description first and look for marks of approval by government parties. Look for non-toxic signs and always see if it is appropriate for your kid’s age. There is no harm and cost in being too careful, only when adverse effects are finally felt and the damage is done.

5) More complicated ones are better. This may be true in some cases. But most of the time, simpler ones like those of wooden toys are easier to play with. Oftentimes, the difficulty in dealing with the toy deters or delays the learning process. High technology gadgets are sometimes age-sensitive and require some foundation in terms of knowledge and skill. Parents buy toys for long-term use. Simpler items gain more reception and response from children who lack the basic foundation for further learning.

There are so many toys in the market today. Parents may find it confusing when they find their selves in the middle of a number of toy shelves to choose from. To add to the confusion, looking for the best toy for a child is also difficult. More people are inclining to the practice of buying educational toys, not just any ordinary toy. No one can blame them since learning toys do help in the development of a child. Essential skills like thinking skills, social and emotional development, and cognitive and physical skills can be developed with the aid of toys.

The toy market, however, has a wide variety of educational toys to choose from. Actually, most manufacturers would claim that all their toys are educational. Both parents and children are bombarded with advertisements here and there and offers every now and then. Though all toys claim to be educational, some of them may not be really necessary for children. There are a few things to keep in mind when you search and buy children’s educational toys.

• Safety and durability comes first in line when buying toys. Make sure that they are not made of toxic materials and the edges are not sharp. Most toys come with manufacturer’s guidelines like age recommendation, proper use, storage, and more. Follow the guidelines to avoid choking incidents from small parts. Age recommendations are based on research; toys work best if they fit your children’s age group.

• How can the toy help your children develop their skills? Are they appropriate for your children’s learning level? Kids learn in different ways and at a varied pace. It is the parents who most likely know what learning style their kids prefer. Ask yourself what educational toys will best invite creative and cognitive development. There are many toys that can help in the development of not only one skill but many, go for that kind of toy.

• Does the toy spark interest and curiosity in your child? Toys must relate to a child’s specific interests. For example, if he likes dogs, then stuffed dog animals, books about dogs, and animal play sets will serve as good toys for him or her. Remember that educational toys are not meant only to teach, they should also be fun.

• Consider your budget as well. There are many high quality toys that are rather costly, but most of them will grow with your child. Some of them will usually outlast cheaper toys.  If budget is your concern, take advantage of toy sales or toy offers.

There are many toddler educational toys which have been proven to work best with kids. They stimulate child’s creativity, problem solving skills, imagination, and interaction. Learning can start at an early age with the help of toys.

Examples of Educational Toys:

1. Rattles, Shakers, and Maracas are kid’s toys that help develop a baby’s sight and listening skills. Every time he shakes that rattle, it may not seem like he is learning something but he is. Babies enjoy looking at colors and listening to the noise rattles produce. Motor skills are exercised at the same time since babies need to move their hands to make that rattle sound.

2. Blocks can enhance a toddler’s eye-hand coordination as he tries to grab it with her little hands. Aside from that, blocks can help develop a child’s shape and color recognition. Make sure that the blocks or cubes are made of soft materials so it will not hurt a baby when it falls on them. The patterns, colors, and designs on the blocks can stimulate children’s minds.

3. Teethers are not only helpful to ease the pain of teething. It gives baby the opportunity to explore different textures and tactile surfaces. Teethers nowadays come in different styles and colors. A teether is also a baby toy that will surely attract a baby’s attention and interest.

4. Stackers differ in colors, shapes, and patters. Usually, stackers are donut-shaped but some are made out of different shapes and figures. Sometimes, stackers come in figures like animals, flowers, etc. Stackers teach children shape recognition and geometry at an early age.

5. Dolls and Stuffed animals are great tools for children to use their imagination. Often do parents see their children talk to their dolls, rock them to sleep, and sing a song for the,. They play pretend with their doll and animal toys acting out what they see in real life.

6. Construction toys like Lego can inspire creativity, logic, and spacial thinking. Kids often enjoy playing with construction toys since they can create anything they want with it. They usually have fun and spend a lot of time with building toys. Who knows, maybe the world’s greatest architect or engineer is that child in front of you?

Play plays a pivotal role in a child’s development making it the main reason why educational toys are taking the lion’s share in the market. Playing with toys enables a child to widen his grasp of things and maximize his potentials.

However, parents should be warned not to push their thoughts on their child. Children learn in different ways, methods, and styles. Some may find a toy interesting and will play with it everyday. That same toy may not even grab another child’s attention. Every child has his own demand when it comes to learning and entertainment, parents should meet their demands accordingly.

Though toys play a significant role in a child’s development, parents and other adults are still key factors. Parents bonding with their kids can do away shyness and lack of confidence. With many parents working round the clock, they rarely have time to play with their children. To make up with their absence, toys are used to compensate their lack of time. This should not be the case.

Parents and other surrounding adults should try to spend quality time with the kids to make sure that they are having fun and learning at the same time.

Educational toys are gaining a wide market acceptance nowadays. The children of this generation are constantly becoming brighter every time, given the changes and advancement in technology. However, such technological gadgets are relatively expensive than ordinary toys. But why would parents choose them over old ones that are relatively cheaper? Traditional ones also do some good to children. That is a fact that can never be changed.

Even if these are meant for play, they somehow mold certain abilities and personalities in children. They help kids develop certain appreciation for things and are pushing them to socialize and interact with other people around them.

But people should also face the truth that modernization has significantly affected the way people live and perceive things. The current times require that people should become smarter and more efficient. And this also goes for the youth. Children are now faced with greater challenges in terms of intellectual and mental development, and they should be well-equipped to face the changing times.

Recognizing such change, children should be exposed to kids toys that are meant to further develop their mental and intellectual capacity. They should be armed with the proper equipments that will allow them to compete with the changing times. Toys that are made to enhance certain abilities in children are a sure and easy way to meet this demand.

They come in various forms and are made for certain age groups, allowing greater flexibility for parents to take charge of their children’s growth. These generally serve two purposes, namely for play and for learning. Given such, parents should generally prefer them over toys that do not necessarily contribute to the overall development of their children. Even if they are generally more expensive, they provide added value not only to children but to their parents as well. These are more effective than the traditional way of teaching and learning, which children oftentimes find boring and stressful.

There are a lot of toddler educational toys in the retail market. Parents would definitely have a broader selection of items to choose from. It would be easy for parents to find what they are specifically looking for. However, if parents do not have something specific in mind, they might find it difficult to find one that will really be appropriate for their kids. In such cases, parents should consider a number of factors in selecting one.

One major consideration that you should look into is the age group that a specific product is catering to. Getting the right toy appropriate for your kid’s age will ensure that he or she will really derive some knowledge from it. Getting the wrong one will greatly affect his or her interest in playing it and also the amount of learning that he or she will have to obtain. For example, buying ones that are too advanced for him or her will necessarily be too difficult for your child to use. Those that are too young for him or her, on the other hand, will also lessen the amount of learning since he or she will find them boring and less attractive. Parents should also be concerned that the major reason why they are buying these toys is to help their children develop certain skills or knowledge. They should therefore prioritize childrens educational toys that will really contribute to your child’s ability.

Another major consideration should be safety reasons. Even for non-educational ones, parents should be cautious in buying play things for their kids. The younger their children are, the more susceptible they are to harm and health danger. So when shopping for them, make sure to read first before buying them. Make sure that what you are about to purchase does not contain any harmful material such as lead content.

To make it simpler, look for a “non-toxic” mark or any type of certification that will authenticate the claim. If you are not so confident about what you are buying, opt for branded names since they are stricter in implementing safety guidelines. They see to it that they are producing high quality products in order to secure their reputation. And as a result, consumers are made to pay more for it. They are generally expensive, but they are definitely of high quality, and most of all, safe.

Given such wide variety in baby toys, it is almost impossible that you would not find what you need for your kid. You may opt for those that are meant to target specific skills, such as memory and language. You may also influence your child’s interest by exposing him or her to a great deal of subjects that relate to a certain theme.

Children are natural scientists, always curious about how the physical world works, asking questions like “Why is the sky blue?” “Why does it snow in winter?” “Where do the images from the TV come from?” “Are there little people talking inside the radio?” As an adult, these questions can be tedious, and the tendency for most parents is to evade these questions and tell their kids to just play with their toys and stop being bothersome. In effect, kids might think their parent’s apathy and irritation are an indication that their questions are silly and unimportant. This might cause them to lose their interest and passion for knowledge and their fascination with the world.

With educational toys, kids can sustain their love for learning and science.  Buying our kids the right toys can help fully develop their minds and personalities, making them better thinkers and doers. Being exposed to science at an early age can expand their imaginations and limits and allow them to form good habits and traits that they could bring with them until they grow up, leading them to become well-developed, holistic and highly functional adults.

Why a love for science is important

Science is not just for kids and scientists. Even the average adult will gain a good deal from having an affinity with science. Before we can truly teach our kids to love science, we must first understand why science is important and why it is relevant to our lives as adults (or as human beings).

Science aids in our thought processes and helps us become clear thinkers. It also develops our logic and rational mind—two very important qualities in business and adult life. Most successful people in any field are interested in how things work. They are able to see things differently from other people because they are more curious. They find innovative solutions to difficult problems and find opportunities in seemingly inane ideas or situations. In whatever work or field, whether in an entry-level or a managerial position, the scientific method is very helpful in aiding people in finding answers to everyday questions.

Science is not just pertinent to work and success; it also helps us gain more interesting and fulfilling lives. With all the mundane tasks we have to deal with on a daily basis—from our domestic obligations to our financial preoccupations, we have little time left for thinking about wonderful and amazing things. Adult life can be mired with so much petty concerns that we lose our sense of adventure and imagination. We have to think about the kids and their future, our personal relationships, and our family’s security all the time. Between our homes and our jobs, there is little time left for thinking about anything else.

While this is the natural course of things, few adults find this kind of life fulfilling. Even if we know we are unhappy, we find ourselves trapped and are frustrated that we cannot escape this cycle of existence. We find ourselves dreaming for an alternative world. If only we were able to sustain our fascinations with the workings of the world and a passion for knowledge and science, we would have found life more fulfilling and the world an amazing and exciting place.

These are the reasons why it is important for us to keep our kids interested and to keep their appetite for knowledge burning, and hopefully help them sustain their love for science long into their adult life. Geography, geology, astrology, anatomy, chemistry, biology, physics, electronics, and technology—all these knowledge and opportunities for discovery are within our children’s reach with children’s educational toys. What’s so great about these toys is that we as adults can engage our kids and be engaged in the concepts that the toys teach, in the process. We can be fascinated with our kids together. Our child learns, we learn, and together, we can form a deeper and lasting parental bond.
Science toys that you and your kids can enjoy

We don’t have to be irritated with our child all the time when they persistently ask us questions about how things work; not to mention that these questions aren’t necessarily easy and the answers to them evade us too. Toddler educational toys in today’s market are becoming more and more sophisticated and fascinating, making any adult scratch their heads in marvel and curiosity, too.

We can start with our own forgotten fascinations as a child—whether it is an affinity for bugs or birds or clouds or rocks or stars, we can always rediscover them with our child. Today’s science kits include simple laboratory kits, chemistry lab kits, microscopes, telescopes, and other cool gadgets, to make learning fun for kids, and even for adults.

Some of these popular kits are geology kits for identifying, examining, and classifying different types of rocks, soil, and minerals; geography kits for studying the globe and the locations and names of countries around the world, as well as the different people who inhabit it; food and nutrition kits for learning the different food groups and the structure and component of the food we eat; anatomy kits for learning the different parts and functions of the body, as well as basic first aid; archeology kits for digging and discovering objects buried in the backyard; astronomy kits for studying and exploring stars, comets, planets, and galaxies; chemistry lab kits for learning the different elements and compositions of everyday chemicals such as cosmetics, oils, and paints.

There are also science kids’ toys that allow kids to explore the world of fungi and bacteria; learn about recycling, waste management, eco living, and environmental awareness; learn how to plant seeds, grow crystals, and create their own perfume scent.  Baby toys can also teach basic concepts of science, particularly physics, such as learning gravity with the toss and the drop of a ball and learning Newton’s law of motion with the rolling and stopping of a ball.

No matter what age our children are, we can now play with them and be engaged in what they do, even experiment with them and discover the world together (we have to admit that pretend playing with our kids can drive us insane); science and educational toys make all these possible and a whole lot of fun.