Play is the language of children. It is an essential part of a child's learning and development. It facilitates the child to further enhance cognitive, psychomotor and social capabilities. It also serves as a channel for their creativity in which a child can express his thoughts and emotions.
Parents play a crucial role in stimulating a child's development. During this important time, it is their responsibility to provide an advantageous environment for physical and intellectual growth. It can be very difficult to understand how best you can provide this because you cannot control or predict every aspect of his educational atmosphere. The first step often involves identifying and recognizing each child's strengths and weaknesses. This can be tricky for each child is different. The only thing you can do is to have constant interaction with your child and provide guidance in order for them to develop new skills in the most positive way.
Unfortunately in this modern time, parents do not exactly have the time to interact with their children personally. This leads to a decline in effective stimulation and the learning experience. Although parent participation is very significant in this process, the good news is educational toys can be used as substitutes. You just have to choose the best toy for your child.
A wide variety of choices for toys are offered in the market, so as a parent it may be a little bit overwhelming. You are faced with the dilemma on choosing the toy that will suit your child best. The best guide is to have a thorough understanding of the developmental milestones of a child and how appropriate toys can boost their imagination and creativity. But if you are still a bit confused, here are some tips to find the ideal toy:
• Safety first. Make sure the toy is safe, durable and appropriate for a child's age. Follow the recommended age guidelines to avoid accidents such as choking.
• Take your time in making a decision. Examine the toy first and think over the educational benefits it can offer. It should encourage imagination and inventiveness.
• The toy is easy to use. It is important that the child is able to play with the toy himself in order for him to enjoy it.
• The fun value is also a factor in choosing a toy. The toy may hold educational benefits but if it does not satisfy a child's curiosity it will be quickly thrown aside and forgotten. • Find a toy that is specifically the child's style and interest. This will give the child determination to learn and have fun at the same time.
• Choose toys that will promote social skills. These toys will encourage cooperation and compromise by playing with other children.
• Budget-friendly. Choose toys that fit your budget. Good toys are not necessarily pricey.
Keep in mind these helpful tips the next time you find yourself looking for the perfect toy. It may seem challenging at first but remember that your child's future is in your hands. Embrace the significance of providing the right educational toys to provide your child the best foundation for learning.
For more tips and information about educational toys, check out http://www.thekidstoystore.com/science-kits.html.
ticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Nunez
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Benefits of Educational Toys
Today it seems like a natural part of life for children to watch TV and play video games all day. However, Unless the television show is an educational show that won't bore the child, or the video game is one that involves a certain degree of strategy, they're not getting too much out of these activities. More importantly, they are not using their imaginations which is very important to do in the world we live in today.
Studies dating back as early as 1940 have shown that a child's IQ can be increased by more than 50 points through the proper stimulation in the first 6 years of life. Your child already has certain natural skills, but you can help further develop those skills through the power of play with the right developmental toys and educational games. You possess the power to help improve your child's skills such as memory retention, reading skills, motor skills, eye-hand coordination and math skills.
There are a variety of educational toys that are available for children as soon as they are able to grab things. An educational toy can be something as simple as a puppet or matching shapes. These toys prompt the child to think and the colorful pieces that come with these toys make the activity interesting. What can makes these activities even more beneficial is when the parent is involved and takes time to praise the child when he or she is successful.
The most important factor in selecting learning toys for your children is choosing a toy that is appropriate for your child's age. You should start by determining the child's current developmental needs, both physically and emotionally. Then, look for the educational toys that are appropriate for your child's stage of development.
For example, an infant that is just beginning to learn to focus and grasp things with their hands would benefit from a toy that develops hand-eye coordination. Toddlers, on the other hand, would require toys that focus on stacking and pulling, pre-dressing, and language basics.
Years ago, toy manufacturers started out by making educational toys that covered everything from preschool through high school. These toys confused some children and did not appeal to most. However, through the years, the top educational toy makers started to make better use of research and technology, and have done quite a good job creating quality educational toys and learning games targeted to a child's age group and skill level.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for educational toys and stuffed animals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand
Studies dating back as early as 1940 have shown that a child's IQ can be increased by more than 50 points through the proper stimulation in the first 6 years of life. Your child already has certain natural skills, but you can help further develop those skills through the power of play with the right developmental toys and educational games. You possess the power to help improve your child's skills such as memory retention, reading skills, motor skills, eye-hand coordination and math skills.
There are a variety of educational toys that are available for children as soon as they are able to grab things. An educational toy can be something as simple as a puppet or matching shapes. These toys prompt the child to think and the colorful pieces that come with these toys make the activity interesting. What can makes these activities even more beneficial is when the parent is involved and takes time to praise the child when he or she is successful.
The most important factor in selecting learning toys for your children is choosing a toy that is appropriate for your child's age. You should start by determining the child's current developmental needs, both physically and emotionally. Then, look for the educational toys that are appropriate for your child's stage of development.
For example, an infant that is just beginning to learn to focus and grasp things with their hands would benefit from a toy that develops hand-eye coordination. Toddlers, on the other hand, would require toys that focus on stacking and pulling, pre-dressing, and language basics.
Years ago, toy manufacturers started out by making educational toys that covered everything from preschool through high school. These toys confused some children and did not appeal to most. However, through the years, the top educational toy makers started to make better use of research and technology, and have done quite a good job creating quality educational toys and learning games targeted to a child's age group and skill level.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for educational toys and stuffed animals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand
Friday, November 14, 2008
High Tech Hype - "Educational" Toys?
Picking a Toy to Promote Child Development
(Chicago, IL) Stuffed animals that teach Spanish? Electronic pencils that correct spelling mistakes? Video gaming systems that teach addition and subtraction? What can be next? Magic paper that drafts essays on its own?
With new high-tech toys and gadgets introduced nearly everyday, it's hard for parents to keep up. Toys claiming to be "educational" promise to do everything from boost a child's IQ to teach a new language. However, electronic toys with fancy buttons, shiny lights and catchy tunes, often do not deliver on these promises.
Research shows that children learn best through play, especially when parents provide them with opportunities to explore, use their imaginations and problem solve on their own (2007, Temple University Infant Lab). In fact, many educators believe that children still learn best with the same basic toys and educational supplies we grew up with. For example, a simple pack of crayons, scissors and craft supplies can keep a child busy while teaching hand-eye coordination and encouraging creativity. Similarly, while building blocks are simple, they provide countless opportunities for open-ended play where your child is in charge of what to do.
When picking your child's next toy, look for more than the flashy lights and high-tech features. Most importantly, find a developmentally appropriate toy or activity which actively engages your child. This means limiting toys that only require a child to sit and follow one set of pre-determined instructions. Instead, look for toys that promote child-centered play where creativity and imagination are encouraged. For example, why not design and build a bridge for a train to cross? Toys that provide opportunities for parents and children to play together are even better for promoting positive interaction. Spending even 10 minutes with your child in free play is priceless. Also, check out toys that teach life skills like teamwork and problem-solving. Finally, select toys that build on your child's interests. For instance, why not give your budding scientist a magnifying glass and beakers for conducting your own science experiments together?
While there are some fun high-tech toys for your child, don't discount the value in toys that have been around for years like dolls, cars, wooden blocks, crayons, and craft beads. Next time your child asks for the latest must-have, take out some tried and true classics and spend an afternoon playing together instead.
*Studies referenced may be found at:http://www.aap.org/pressroom/playFINAL.pdf http://www.temple.edu/infantlab/Research_Areas.htm
Jayanthi Annadurai is an education specialist and founder of the Beginner's Backpack Company (http://www.thebeginnersbackpack.com), an educational retailer and consultation company. She believes that spending time with your child and learning together promotes healthy child development more than anything else. As a mother herself, she makes the most of the time she spends with her 2 year old daughter Leela.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jayanthi_Annadurai
(Chicago, IL) Stuffed animals that teach Spanish? Electronic pencils that correct spelling mistakes? Video gaming systems that teach addition and subtraction? What can be next? Magic paper that drafts essays on its own?
With new high-tech toys and gadgets introduced nearly everyday, it's hard for parents to keep up. Toys claiming to be "educational" promise to do everything from boost a child's IQ to teach a new language. However, electronic toys with fancy buttons, shiny lights and catchy tunes, often do not deliver on these promises.
Research shows that children learn best through play, especially when parents provide them with opportunities to explore, use their imaginations and problem solve on their own (2007, Temple University Infant Lab). In fact, many educators believe that children still learn best with the same basic toys and educational supplies we grew up with. For example, a simple pack of crayons, scissors and craft supplies can keep a child busy while teaching hand-eye coordination and encouraging creativity. Similarly, while building blocks are simple, they provide countless opportunities for open-ended play where your child is in charge of what to do.
When picking your child's next toy, look for more than the flashy lights and high-tech features. Most importantly, find a developmentally appropriate toy or activity which actively engages your child. This means limiting toys that only require a child to sit and follow one set of pre-determined instructions. Instead, look for toys that promote child-centered play where creativity and imagination are encouraged. For example, why not design and build a bridge for a train to cross? Toys that provide opportunities for parents and children to play together are even better for promoting positive interaction. Spending even 10 minutes with your child in free play is priceless. Also, check out toys that teach life skills like teamwork and problem-solving. Finally, select toys that build on your child's interests. For instance, why not give your budding scientist a magnifying glass and beakers for conducting your own science experiments together?
While there are some fun high-tech toys for your child, don't discount the value in toys that have been around for years like dolls, cars, wooden blocks, crayons, and craft beads. Next time your child asks for the latest must-have, take out some tried and true classics and spend an afternoon playing together instead.
*Studies referenced may be found at:http://www.aap.org/pressroom/playFINAL.pdf http://www.temple.edu/infantlab/Research_Areas.htm
Jayanthi Annadurai is an education specialist and founder of the Beginner's Backpack Company (http://www.thebeginnersbackpack.com), an educational retailer and consultation company. She believes that spending time with your child and learning together promotes healthy child development more than anything else. As a mother herself, she makes the most of the time she spends with her 2 year old daughter Leela.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jayanthi_Annadurai
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Educational Toys Make a Great Christmas Present
We as parents can give them presents with educational value. We feel no guilt in giving our children presents that help them explore and learn. The holiday is about giving but it can also be a way to replenish art supplies and learning materials at the same time. Giving craft kits to make presents for others teach children value of sharing and caring. When they get that set of loops and loom, they can make pot holders for family and friends. They made it their selves to give to someone else. This gives them a big sense of pride.
Educational toys are still very colorful and kids don't realize they are learning. Toddlers and babies learn so much in a short time. Why not give them the tools that will help them later on. Learning is fun with the right toys that are introduced.
Just stuffed animals, never, this is a cuddle toy like no other. When the fur is ragged and worn, that toy has done its job of being a little childs' best buddy to nap or play. When Ty Babies came out they were all the rage and they are still fun for many to collect. This is a good way for little ones to start a collection that can follow through and be enjoyed by their children. Collecting is a great way for kids to enjoy traveling when its something simple they can collect along the way. It can be something as simple as rocks or fall leaves to press in the big catalog at home. Simple things from nature teach them to respect the mother earth.
When you give a child an ant farm they are thrilled to see the activity. This is a mystery to them without the window to uncover the secrets. Microscopes are a great present that will help them see what is invisible to the naked eye. Science toys are still a great gift and they are learning and enjoying.
Playhouses give little ones a sense of self when they are by themselves to have quiet moments to reflect and read. This is a great place for them to enjoy as a place all their own with everything their size. One is a school bus with the steering wheel in place in the top, large enough to enjoy for meaningful play.
Dress up is a way for little ones to play role models like Mom and Dad. You find out how well you are doing when you listen to the little voices from your children. They hear more than we think they do. Are you proud of the mirror image you are molding into a future Mom or Dad.
© Greg Greer
http://www.homedecorationsusa.com
http://www.homedecorationsusa.com/Childrens_Furniture.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Greer
Educational toys are still very colorful and kids don't realize they are learning. Toddlers and babies learn so much in a short time. Why not give them the tools that will help them later on. Learning is fun with the right toys that are introduced.
Just stuffed animals, never, this is a cuddle toy like no other. When the fur is ragged and worn, that toy has done its job of being a little childs' best buddy to nap or play. When Ty Babies came out they were all the rage and they are still fun for many to collect. This is a good way for little ones to start a collection that can follow through and be enjoyed by their children. Collecting is a great way for kids to enjoy traveling when its something simple they can collect along the way. It can be something as simple as rocks or fall leaves to press in the big catalog at home. Simple things from nature teach them to respect the mother earth.
When you give a child an ant farm they are thrilled to see the activity. This is a mystery to them without the window to uncover the secrets. Microscopes are a great present that will help them see what is invisible to the naked eye. Science toys are still a great gift and they are learning and enjoying.
Playhouses give little ones a sense of self when they are by themselves to have quiet moments to reflect and read. This is a great place for them to enjoy as a place all their own with everything their size. One is a school bus with the steering wheel in place in the top, large enough to enjoy for meaningful play.
Dress up is a way for little ones to play role models like Mom and Dad. You find out how well you are doing when you listen to the little voices from your children. They hear more than we think they do. Are you proud of the mirror image you are molding into a future Mom or Dad.
© Greg Greer
http://www.homedecorationsusa.com
http://www.homedecorationsusa.com/Childrens_Furniture.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Greer
Saturday, November 8, 2008
How Educational Toys Can Stimulate the Minds of Gifted Children
Educational theorists often define intelligence as the capacity to learn new knowledge and then the ability to apply this knowledge to create new things or to deal with new situations. As Trudee Romanek puts it in Aha!: The Most Interesting Book You'll Ever Read about Intelligence, "intelligence is really about how well you cope in the world." Parents definitely want their children to do well in the world, so what can they do to ensure that their children become as intelligent as possible?
Children are born with a certain potential to become intelligent. Then, as Romanek notes, "how intelligent a child actually becomes depends on how hard he or she works his or her brain!" It is in a child's best interest, then, to challenge him or her constantly and always be exposing him or her to new learning experiences. As Romanek points out to children, "the more you do and learn, the more intelligent you'll be."
Some children are naturally gifted, with a potential for intelligence beyond the norm. It is especially crucial for these children to have their brains stimulated by exposure to new knowledge, challenges, and activities. Otherwise, they can become bored and unmotivated and eventually start underachieving in spite of their enormous potential to succeed.
Of course, parents of gifted children want what's best for their children. But, as Nancy M. Robinson, Ph.D., Sally M. Reis, Ph.D., Maureen Neihart, Psy.D., and Sidney M. Moon, Ph.D. note in their article "Social and Emotional Issues Facing Gifted and Talented Students" in The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children, these well-meaning parents "often feel at a loss to know how to best support their child's development. They want help...in widening and deepening their children's learning through family activities, outside tutors, or coaches." Basically, they could use some suggestions for how to help their children learn outside a school environment.
How, then, can a parent help a gifted child in a practical way? Kenneth R. Chuska, Ph.D., suggests in Gifted Learners K-12: A Practical Guide to Effective Curriculum and Teaching that parents ask themselves, "Does our home provide a stimulating environment? Does our home provide supplemental or extended offerings that aid in the offerings of our child's school?" After all, an environment full of appropriate and stimulating opportunities for learning is one of the most valuable things a parent can provide for any child, gifted or not. And one way this environment can be created is through the thoughtful selection and use of educational toys.
How to know which toys are best suited to develop the intelligence of a gifted child? Chuska explains that all gifted learners share some qualities, such as being self-motivated, delving more deeply into school topics than their teachers require, and wanting to apply new knowledge to concrete projects. In a nutshell, they are students who don't just learn new knowledge, but who want to do things with this new information.
Beyond these common characteristics, however, gifted learners are usually gifted in specific areas. Chuska cites a federal government study that splits gifted learners into the: Academically Gifted: children who do well learning new knowledge in specific content areas. Intellectually Gifted: children who exhibit great general thinking skills, such as the abilities to observe, hypothesize, and think about things in new ways.
Creative Thinking Giftedness: children who like to come up with original and independent solutions to creative problems.
Visual and Performing Arts Giftedness: children who have good control of their motor skills, can express themselves though art, are good at perceiving spatial relationships, and who like to produce their own creations instead of copying what others do.
Psychomotor Gifted: children who possess stellar physical coordination and excel at athletic endeavors.
Parents of gifted children, therefore, will want to pick toys geared toward stimulating and challenging their children in the areas in which these children are gifted:
An academically gifted child would enjoy games that help him or her practice memory skills, learn new facts and information about the world, or use his or her specific knowledge in the area in which he or she is gifted. For example, a child who is academically gifted in language will enjoy games that allow him or her to play with letters and words, such as the Word Spin games. An intellectually gifted child might enjoy using thinking skills to figure out ways to assemble geometric shapes like Foxmind's Cliko, or using science kits and science process skills to study and draw conclusions about things in nature.
A child exhibiting creative thinking giftedness will love the open-endedness of a set of building blocks, playing word games like Apples to Apples, and logic games that require players to solve problems. A child exhibiting visual and performing arts giftedness should be provided with toys according to his or her particular area of interest. For example, if his or her interest is in visual arts, he or she should be given clay, origami paper, paint, and other art supplies. If it is performing arts, he or she should be provided with role-play toys like figurines, play sets, costumes, and other props for imaginative play.
A psychomotor gifted child should be given athletic equipment and other toys for physically active play.
Along with keeping the above in mind, parents should take some general issues into account. Even though a child is mentally gifted beyond his or her years, he or she is still a child and any toys given him or her should contain only age-appropriate content and be safe for a child of his or her age to handle.
Parents should also take into account a child's learning style. Kinesthetic learners learn new things best by doing them in a "hands-on" approach. Auditory learners master new information best by hearing or reading it. Visual learners do well by being presented new information in visual form, through pictures or actions.
With a little knowledge and care, parents can help any child, gifted or not, develop his or her intelligence to the best it can be. What will ultimately help any child the most is knowing that his or her parents care enough to create an interesting and stimulating play environment that is tailored to his or her growing and changing intellectual needs.
About Kids Toy Club - Kids Toy Club is an online provider of educational toys that is dedicated to adding value to the money its customers spend. Understanding that educational toy purchases are an investment in a child's future, Kids Toy Club makes the effort to provide quality products and useful information about the relationship between toys and child development.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laeke_Gebre
Children are born with a certain potential to become intelligent. Then, as Romanek notes, "how intelligent a child actually becomes depends on how hard he or she works his or her brain!" It is in a child's best interest, then, to challenge him or her constantly and always be exposing him or her to new learning experiences. As Romanek points out to children, "the more you do and learn, the more intelligent you'll be."
Some children are naturally gifted, with a potential for intelligence beyond the norm. It is especially crucial for these children to have their brains stimulated by exposure to new knowledge, challenges, and activities. Otherwise, they can become bored and unmotivated and eventually start underachieving in spite of their enormous potential to succeed.
Of course, parents of gifted children want what's best for their children. But, as Nancy M. Robinson, Ph.D., Sally M. Reis, Ph.D., Maureen Neihart, Psy.D., and Sidney M. Moon, Ph.D. note in their article "Social and Emotional Issues Facing Gifted and Talented Students" in The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children, these well-meaning parents "often feel at a loss to know how to best support their child's development. They want help...in widening and deepening their children's learning through family activities, outside tutors, or coaches." Basically, they could use some suggestions for how to help their children learn outside a school environment.
How, then, can a parent help a gifted child in a practical way? Kenneth R. Chuska, Ph.D., suggests in Gifted Learners K-12: A Practical Guide to Effective Curriculum and Teaching that parents ask themselves, "Does our home provide a stimulating environment? Does our home provide supplemental or extended offerings that aid in the offerings of our child's school?" After all, an environment full of appropriate and stimulating opportunities for learning is one of the most valuable things a parent can provide for any child, gifted or not. And one way this environment can be created is through the thoughtful selection and use of educational toys.
How to know which toys are best suited to develop the intelligence of a gifted child? Chuska explains that all gifted learners share some qualities, such as being self-motivated, delving more deeply into school topics than their teachers require, and wanting to apply new knowledge to concrete projects. In a nutshell, they are students who don't just learn new knowledge, but who want to do things with this new information.
Beyond these common characteristics, however, gifted learners are usually gifted in specific areas. Chuska cites a federal government study that splits gifted learners into the: Academically Gifted: children who do well learning new knowledge in specific content areas. Intellectually Gifted: children who exhibit great general thinking skills, such as the abilities to observe, hypothesize, and think about things in new ways.
Creative Thinking Giftedness: children who like to come up with original and independent solutions to creative problems.
Visual and Performing Arts Giftedness: children who have good control of their motor skills, can express themselves though art, are good at perceiving spatial relationships, and who like to produce their own creations instead of copying what others do.
Psychomotor Gifted: children who possess stellar physical coordination and excel at athletic endeavors.
Parents of gifted children, therefore, will want to pick toys geared toward stimulating and challenging their children in the areas in which these children are gifted:
An academically gifted child would enjoy games that help him or her practice memory skills, learn new facts and information about the world, or use his or her specific knowledge in the area in which he or she is gifted. For example, a child who is academically gifted in language will enjoy games that allow him or her to play with letters and words, such as the Word Spin games. An intellectually gifted child might enjoy using thinking skills to figure out ways to assemble geometric shapes like Foxmind's Cliko, or using science kits and science process skills to study and draw conclusions about things in nature.
A child exhibiting creative thinking giftedness will love the open-endedness of a set of building blocks, playing word games like Apples to Apples, and logic games that require players to solve problems. A child exhibiting visual and performing arts giftedness should be provided with toys according to his or her particular area of interest. For example, if his or her interest is in visual arts, he or she should be given clay, origami paper, paint, and other art supplies. If it is performing arts, he or she should be provided with role-play toys like figurines, play sets, costumes, and other props for imaginative play.
A psychomotor gifted child should be given athletic equipment and other toys for physically active play.
Along with keeping the above in mind, parents should take some general issues into account. Even though a child is mentally gifted beyond his or her years, he or she is still a child and any toys given him or her should contain only age-appropriate content and be safe for a child of his or her age to handle.
Parents should also take into account a child's learning style. Kinesthetic learners learn new things best by doing them in a "hands-on" approach. Auditory learners master new information best by hearing or reading it. Visual learners do well by being presented new information in visual form, through pictures or actions.
With a little knowledge and care, parents can help any child, gifted or not, develop his or her intelligence to the best it can be. What will ultimately help any child the most is knowing that his or her parents care enough to create an interesting and stimulating play environment that is tailored to his or her growing and changing intellectual needs.
About Kids Toy Club - Kids Toy Club is an online provider of educational toys that is dedicated to adding value to the money its customers spend. Understanding that educational toy purchases are an investment in a child's future, Kids Toy Club makes the effort to provide quality products and useful information about the relationship between toys and child development.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laeke_Gebre
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Toddler Educational Toys, Picking That Perfect Toy
Whenever there is a children's party, the celebrant patiently waits for the opening of his gifts. Birthdays come once a year so they sometimes expect things that are expensive and one-of-a-kind. You frantically check out Melissa & Doug if they have something that you might want to purchase. You can also check other stores just in case you do not find what you are looking for. With the many toy stores in your area, it is impossible that you would not like at least one toy.
Nevertheless, you need to consider some things before you purchase a toy that you will give as a gift later on. First thing to remember is to decide how much you are willing to spend for the gift. If you are that type of person that does not set a limit, then you must start doing it. You may claim that your resources are countless but the time might come that you do not have enough money to sustain your lavish lifestyle. Unlike when you have a budget for everything, you can still earn money.
Melissa & Doug have tons of toys that you can choose from it. Surely, you will find something fit for your budget. Although you can go over a little but not too much because the budget is supposed to keep track of how much you are supposed to spend for the gift. The important thing is the effort you put in finding that perfect gift for the celebrant. If you ran out of time, you can always make a gift yourself. Extracting those creative juices come in handy one in a while especially when you need it the most.
The perfect toy can be a stuffed toy since children love cuddling them. It can also be clothes since they will wear it anyway. Coloring books and storybooks are the most popular because kids love looking at them and coloring them. Just make sure to remove the price tag before you wrap them. You do not want the parents or the celebrant to know how much you spent for it. Although some individuals deliberately leave the tag on to brag how expensive, the gift is. Whatever reason there is in leaving that, the giver must remove it. The celebrant knows that branded items are a bit costly.
Nevertheless, you can still push through with giving a toy coming from Melissa & Doug. It is nice to give one of their items since people just cannot get enough of them. The items made by the aforementioned have been in the market for so long that more and more people want to have it. Once they get that chance to buy one and seem to love it, expect parents and kids alike to buy more stuffs. The trick here is to clean the items and avoid it falling on the floor. Toys are made with love and care therefore you must also take care of it that way.
For more tips and information about toddler educational toys, check out http://www.thekidstoystore.com/toddler.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Nunez
Nevertheless, you need to consider some things before you purchase a toy that you will give as a gift later on. First thing to remember is to decide how much you are willing to spend for the gift. If you are that type of person that does not set a limit, then you must start doing it. You may claim that your resources are countless but the time might come that you do not have enough money to sustain your lavish lifestyle. Unlike when you have a budget for everything, you can still earn money.
Melissa & Doug have tons of toys that you can choose from it. Surely, you will find something fit for your budget. Although you can go over a little but not too much because the budget is supposed to keep track of how much you are supposed to spend for the gift. The important thing is the effort you put in finding that perfect gift for the celebrant. If you ran out of time, you can always make a gift yourself. Extracting those creative juices come in handy one in a while especially when you need it the most.
The perfect toy can be a stuffed toy since children love cuddling them. It can also be clothes since they will wear it anyway. Coloring books and storybooks are the most popular because kids love looking at them and coloring them. Just make sure to remove the price tag before you wrap them. You do not want the parents or the celebrant to know how much you spent for it. Although some individuals deliberately leave the tag on to brag how expensive, the gift is. Whatever reason there is in leaving that, the giver must remove it. The celebrant knows that branded items are a bit costly.
Nevertheless, you can still push through with giving a toy coming from Melissa & Doug. It is nice to give one of their items since people just cannot get enough of them. The items made by the aforementioned have been in the market for so long that more and more people want to have it. Once they get that chance to buy one and seem to love it, expect parents and kids alike to buy more stuffs. The trick here is to clean the items and avoid it falling on the floor. Toys are made with love and care therefore you must also take care of it that way.
For more tips and information about toddler educational toys, check out http://www.thekidstoystore.com/toddler.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Nunez
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Educational Toys Encourage Learning
There are many kinds of children's educational toys, each specializing in a certain subject matter (like Math or Science) and working according to a particular age group. Because of the growing demand for educational toys, toy manufacturers have taken great effort and time to come up with new innovations almost every month.
Before, finding the right educational toy was so easy, because there were so few of them. Now, choosing which one to get for your child is similar to the experience of a kid lost in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.
Perhaps the most popular of children's educational toys are those that deal with science. Children that hope to become chemists, geologists and doctors someday can now get themselves toy kits that simulate the experience. Future astronomers can get to practice their "profession" with telescope kits. Future vets are able to learn more about animals and how to care for them with animal kits.
There is a wide range of play sets and devices to tickle a child's hunger for exploration and discovery, which include the likes of microscopes, dioramas, binoculars, chemisty sets, insect and bug habitats, robotic sets, electronic devices, and others.
Whenever we say the term "educational" and partner it with "toys", it almost always has this boring ring to it. Without adequate knowledge about the value of educational toys, a lot of us would think that these products are just a waste of money because kids won't be able to appreciate them, and say it's for nerds.
This is where we are wrong. Educational toys foster learning AND cater to a child's creativity. These toys are so well designed and carefully developed that they insert "learning" into the picture without the child realizing that he or she is actually "studying". This doesn't mean, though, that educational toys are out to dupe kids into studying. It simply means that toys do not only stimulate kids' senses and motor skills, but also have the capacity to feed their intellects.
With the birth of educational toys, learning has transformed into an activity that is fun, and not just confined to the four corners of a classroom. Schools have started to incorporate educational toys to their teaching methods, especially to preschoolers, because of this.
With educational toys, not only children, but also parents, are changing their minds about the importance of toys as educational tools. Sure, they may come with a hefty price tag, but the expense is all worth it. Besides, the growing demand for them will surely bring their rates down in a few years. Before we know it, educational toys will be accessible to everyone.
Low Jeremy maintains http://educational-toys.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy
Before, finding the right educational toy was so easy, because there were so few of them. Now, choosing which one to get for your child is similar to the experience of a kid lost in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.
Perhaps the most popular of children's educational toys are those that deal with science. Children that hope to become chemists, geologists and doctors someday can now get themselves toy kits that simulate the experience. Future astronomers can get to practice their "profession" with telescope kits. Future vets are able to learn more about animals and how to care for them with animal kits.
There is a wide range of play sets and devices to tickle a child's hunger for exploration and discovery, which include the likes of microscopes, dioramas, binoculars, chemisty sets, insect and bug habitats, robotic sets, electronic devices, and others.
Whenever we say the term "educational" and partner it with "toys", it almost always has this boring ring to it. Without adequate knowledge about the value of educational toys, a lot of us would think that these products are just a waste of money because kids won't be able to appreciate them, and say it's for nerds.
This is where we are wrong. Educational toys foster learning AND cater to a child's creativity. These toys are so well designed and carefully developed that they insert "learning" into the picture without the child realizing that he or she is actually "studying". This doesn't mean, though, that educational toys are out to dupe kids into studying. It simply means that toys do not only stimulate kids' senses and motor skills, but also have the capacity to feed their intellects.
With the birth of educational toys, learning has transformed into an activity that is fun, and not just confined to the four corners of a classroom. Schools have started to incorporate educational toys to their teaching methods, especially to preschoolers, because of this.
With educational toys, not only children, but also parents, are changing their minds about the importance of toys as educational tools. Sure, they may come with a hefty price tag, but the expense is all worth it. Besides, the growing demand for them will surely bring their rates down in a few years. Before we know it, educational toys will be accessible to everyone.
Low Jeremy maintains http://educational-toys.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Choosing Educational Toys For Children With Learning Disability
Some children must deal with leaning difficulties, or problems with learning new information. They might struggle to master skills like throwing and catching a ball. They might grow confused trying to communicate by talking and listening to other people. Without being able to learn and retain key bits of information, these children struggle even more when they enter school and try to master reading, writing, and other content-area skills and knowledge.
Scientists aren't sure exactly what causes learning difficulties. Many theorize that the brains of children with learning disability mix up signals and have difficulty sending and receiving bits of information. Basically, as University of Nevada-Reno professors Gary Fisher and Rhoda Cummings explain in The Survival Guide for Kids with LD, "some kids just have a hard time learning."
These children are not dumb or lazy at all. They just "learn differently" (LD). Gary Fisher and Rhoda Cummings appropriately substitute the term "disability" in their book, helpful to deal with the problem not with the stigma. Children with LD have normal or even above-average intelligence and may, in fact, excel in other areas. Their brains just acquire, process, and retain information differently. As Stanley S. Lamm, M.D., and Martin L. Fisch, Ph.D. put it in Learning Disabilities Explained, a child with a learning disorder just has "a condition or a series of specific conditions that interfere with the normal learning process."
Children who learn differently can come from any ethnic or socioeconomic group. Although only about 5% of children have been formally diagnosed with an LD, some doctors and educators believe that as many as 20 percent of children have some sort of interference with the way they learn in some area. The good news is that with proper diagnosis and targeted intervention, children with LD can greatly improve their ability to learn in a weak area.
It is paramount especially for parents to recognize that children with LD learn differently and the means and resources that they should make available to help them learn. Once an LD has been identified, a team of professionals test the child and use their findings to develop an individualized education plan (IEP) for him or her. Now the child and his or her teachers and parents know the area in which the child needs extra help and can focus on developing and improving the child's learning skills there. Special classes and one-on-one tutoring can help.
So can using educational toys targeted to develop specific skills. Children who are becoming bored with dry schoolwork may find renewed excitement in learning when that learning comes in the shape of a toy. Simplifying the learning process and using unconventional methods to make learning fun can spur children with LDs to reach new levels of achievement.
Gary Fisher and Rhoda Cummings identify seven key areas in which children might learn differently: talking and listening, reading, writing, math, organizing skills, social skills, and motor skills. Here are some suggestions for toys that develop learning skills associated with each of these areas...
Talking and Listening LD
Children with Talking and Listening LD know what they want to say; they just struggle to communicate their thoughts. They may also have difficulty understanding the meaning of the words other people say to them, sometimes mistaking one meaning for another. Some good skills to foster in this area are critical thinking and the ability to make predictions, understand cause and effect, and draw conclusions. These skills can help children organize their thoughts so as to express them more coherently and to understand better what others are saying to them.
Strategy and logic games such as FoxMind Games' Zoologic or Cliko games can encourage the development of such logical thinking skills. While playing such games, parents can encourage children to think aloud to guide their reasoning. Parents can also gently ask children questions about what they think will happen next in a situation, acknowledging each response and using it as the basis for the next question.
Reading LD
Children with Reading LD may be overwhelmed by being exposed to too much text at a time. They may struggle to read the alphabet or to sound out words. They may skip lines when reading because it looks to them like the words are moving around on the page.
Educational toys such as Melissa and Doug's Opposites Puzzle Cards or the See & Spell break reading down to its essential components. Travel Read Spin and Word Spin Deluxe Family Edition made by GeoSpace are also excellent ways to turn spelling and reading skills into a fun experience. Focusing on one word/concept at a time and breaking words down into letters keeps children from being confused by walls of text. While using such products, encourage children to talk about what they are reading to check comprehension.
Writing LD
Children with Writing LD struggle with many of the same problems as children with Talking and Listening LD. They have great ideas in their heads, but have trouble expressing themselves in writing with neat handwriting and good grammar and spelling. This is a case where the simplest of toys can have the greatest effect. Take some of the pressure of writing off by having children compose their thoughts on a fun chalkboard or dry-erase board. Now children can erase and/or restart their sentences over and over until everything is exactly right.
Math LD
Children with Math LD struggle with what numbers and numerical symbols mean. They have difficulty memorizing and understanding math facts. On the most basic level, they struggle with the patterns that underlie math concepts. Playing with pattern games, shape puzzles, and blocks can give a child the experience and confidence with patterns needed to succeed in math. For example, a toy such as FoxMind Games' Logix I give a child practice with shapes and logic patterns. Again, the Travel Math Spin by GeoSpace is a fun teaching tool for basic operations, taking away what is sometimes a dreadful feeling of a child to have to learn math by him or herself. Remember, adult participation in a family setting using educational games is important in the learning process.
Organizing Skills LD
Children with Organizing Skills LD have trouble keeping track of their materials and assignments. Even keeping their rooms or desks in order can be difficult. Puzzles or other toys with pieces that can only go one way can subtly teach such children habits of organization. An organizer such as Melissa and Doug's Magnetic Responsibility Chart can encourage good habits by helping children keep track of their responsibilities and be rewarded for good habits and behaviors.
Social Skills LD
Children with Social Skills LD have trouble interacting with other people. They misread facial clues and gestures and make expressions and gestures that do not convey what they actually feel. Dramatic role-play games can let children rehearse proper social behaviors in a safe environment from which the stress of real-life consequences has been removed. Dolls and dollhouses, play sets and figurines, and dress-up clothes and props can all be vehicles for imaginative play that practices effective social interaction.
Motor Skills LD
Children with Motor Skills LD struggle with both gross motor skills such as balancing, jumping, or even running and fine motor skills like lacing strings through holes or holding a pencil correctly. Toys like jump ropes, sports equipment, and the Plasma Car can develop gross motor skills. Toys like lacing cards or art sets like Melissa and Doug's Stamp Sets and Bead Set can develop fine motor skills. Some toys, such as building blocks, develop a whole range of motor skills.
All Parents Can Benefit from Investing in Educational Toys
Educational toys can be a valuable resource for kids with and without LD. Children can grow bored with completing worksheets or dry assignments meant to teach content-area knowledge. In particular, children with LD may struggle just to understand how to complete a worksheet. Playing with an educational toy, on the other hand, can encourage children to spend longer (and more enjoyable!) amounts of time practicing and mastering new knowledge and skills. Instead of memorizing dry math information, a child can play with an educational toy and learn first-hand how to use logic and patterns to solve a problem. In fact, any parent wishing to develop his or her child's abilities in one of the above areas could benefit from investing in any of the toys discussed.
About Kids Toy Club
Kids Toy Club is an online provider of educational toys that is dedicated to adding value to the money its customers spend. Understanding that educational toy purchases are an investment in a child's future, Kids Toy Club makes the effort to provide quality products and useful information about the relationship between toys and child development.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laeke_Gebre
Scientists aren't sure exactly what causes learning difficulties. Many theorize that the brains of children with learning disability mix up signals and have difficulty sending and receiving bits of information. Basically, as University of Nevada-Reno professors Gary Fisher and Rhoda Cummings explain in The Survival Guide for Kids with LD, "some kids just have a hard time learning."
These children are not dumb or lazy at all. They just "learn differently" (LD). Gary Fisher and Rhoda Cummings appropriately substitute the term "disability" in their book, helpful to deal with the problem not with the stigma. Children with LD have normal or even above-average intelligence and may, in fact, excel in other areas. Their brains just acquire, process, and retain information differently. As Stanley S. Lamm, M.D., and Martin L. Fisch, Ph.D. put it in Learning Disabilities Explained, a child with a learning disorder just has "a condition or a series of specific conditions that interfere with the normal learning process."
Children who learn differently can come from any ethnic or socioeconomic group. Although only about 5% of children have been formally diagnosed with an LD, some doctors and educators believe that as many as 20 percent of children have some sort of interference with the way they learn in some area. The good news is that with proper diagnosis and targeted intervention, children with LD can greatly improve their ability to learn in a weak area.
It is paramount especially for parents to recognize that children with LD learn differently and the means and resources that they should make available to help them learn. Once an LD has been identified, a team of professionals test the child and use their findings to develop an individualized education plan (IEP) for him or her. Now the child and his or her teachers and parents know the area in which the child needs extra help and can focus on developing and improving the child's learning skills there. Special classes and one-on-one tutoring can help.
So can using educational toys targeted to develop specific skills. Children who are becoming bored with dry schoolwork may find renewed excitement in learning when that learning comes in the shape of a toy. Simplifying the learning process and using unconventional methods to make learning fun can spur children with LDs to reach new levels of achievement.
Gary Fisher and Rhoda Cummings identify seven key areas in which children might learn differently: talking and listening, reading, writing, math, organizing skills, social skills, and motor skills. Here are some suggestions for toys that develop learning skills associated with each of these areas...
Talking and Listening LD
Children with Talking and Listening LD know what they want to say; they just struggle to communicate their thoughts. They may also have difficulty understanding the meaning of the words other people say to them, sometimes mistaking one meaning for another. Some good skills to foster in this area are critical thinking and the ability to make predictions, understand cause and effect, and draw conclusions. These skills can help children organize their thoughts so as to express them more coherently and to understand better what others are saying to them.
Strategy and logic games such as FoxMind Games' Zoologic or Cliko games can encourage the development of such logical thinking skills. While playing such games, parents can encourage children to think aloud to guide their reasoning. Parents can also gently ask children questions about what they think will happen next in a situation, acknowledging each response and using it as the basis for the next question.
Reading LD
Children with Reading LD may be overwhelmed by being exposed to too much text at a time. They may struggle to read the alphabet or to sound out words. They may skip lines when reading because it looks to them like the words are moving around on the page.
Educational toys such as Melissa and Doug's Opposites Puzzle Cards or the See & Spell break reading down to its essential components. Travel Read Spin and Word Spin Deluxe Family Edition made by GeoSpace are also excellent ways to turn spelling and reading skills into a fun experience. Focusing on one word/concept at a time and breaking words down into letters keeps children from being confused by walls of text. While using such products, encourage children to talk about what they are reading to check comprehension.
Writing LD
Children with Writing LD struggle with many of the same problems as children with Talking and Listening LD. They have great ideas in their heads, but have trouble expressing themselves in writing with neat handwriting and good grammar and spelling. This is a case where the simplest of toys can have the greatest effect. Take some of the pressure of writing off by having children compose their thoughts on a fun chalkboard or dry-erase board. Now children can erase and/or restart their sentences over and over until everything is exactly right.
Math LD
Children with Math LD struggle with what numbers and numerical symbols mean. They have difficulty memorizing and understanding math facts. On the most basic level, they struggle with the patterns that underlie math concepts. Playing with pattern games, shape puzzles, and blocks can give a child the experience and confidence with patterns needed to succeed in math. For example, a toy such as FoxMind Games' Logix I give a child practice with shapes and logic patterns. Again, the Travel Math Spin by GeoSpace is a fun teaching tool for basic operations, taking away what is sometimes a dreadful feeling of a child to have to learn math by him or herself. Remember, adult participation in a family setting using educational games is important in the learning process.
Organizing Skills LD
Children with Organizing Skills LD have trouble keeping track of their materials and assignments. Even keeping their rooms or desks in order can be difficult. Puzzles or other toys with pieces that can only go one way can subtly teach such children habits of organization. An organizer such as Melissa and Doug's Magnetic Responsibility Chart can encourage good habits by helping children keep track of their responsibilities and be rewarded for good habits and behaviors.
Social Skills LD
Children with Social Skills LD have trouble interacting with other people. They misread facial clues and gestures and make expressions and gestures that do not convey what they actually feel. Dramatic role-play games can let children rehearse proper social behaviors in a safe environment from which the stress of real-life consequences has been removed. Dolls and dollhouses, play sets and figurines, and dress-up clothes and props can all be vehicles for imaginative play that practices effective social interaction.
Motor Skills LD
Children with Motor Skills LD struggle with both gross motor skills such as balancing, jumping, or even running and fine motor skills like lacing strings through holes or holding a pencil correctly. Toys like jump ropes, sports equipment, and the Plasma Car can develop gross motor skills. Toys like lacing cards or art sets like Melissa and Doug's Stamp Sets and Bead Set can develop fine motor skills. Some toys, such as building blocks, develop a whole range of motor skills.
All Parents Can Benefit from Investing in Educational Toys
Educational toys can be a valuable resource for kids with and without LD. Children can grow bored with completing worksheets or dry assignments meant to teach content-area knowledge. In particular, children with LD may struggle just to understand how to complete a worksheet. Playing with an educational toy, on the other hand, can encourage children to spend longer (and more enjoyable!) amounts of time practicing and mastering new knowledge and skills. Instead of memorizing dry math information, a child can play with an educational toy and learn first-hand how to use logic and patterns to solve a problem. In fact, any parent wishing to develop his or her child's abilities in one of the above areas could benefit from investing in any of the toys discussed.
About Kids Toy Club
Kids Toy Club is an online provider of educational toys that is dedicated to adding value to the money its customers spend. Understanding that educational toy purchases are an investment in a child's future, Kids Toy Club makes the effort to provide quality products and useful information about the relationship between toys and child development.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laeke_Gebre
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Role of Toys in Your Child's Development
A kid is really a ball of energy and in order to channelize the energy of your kid, you should enrich your knowledge on various kids’ toys. Some kid toys enrich the knowledge of your kids.
Toys for toddlers must captivate them in many ways. It should be physically engrossing as well as mentally challenging. Push toys (like Corn Popper give toddlers are actually meant for the physical exercise of the kids. It is also beneficial for the development of the motor skills of the kids. The toys teach them cause and effect relationships.
The children are like sponges at this age. They take up concepts at an amazing rate, and they often do that through play. Therefore while selecting the toys, keep in mind what kind of educational benefits it will bring about rather than concentrating solely on the amusement that it will offer to your child.
Those toys which are as basic as blocks are regarded as learning toys. Actually when the kids will start playing with them, they will develop a skill and an aptitude of mathematics. While playing the game they will understand the basic principles of mathematics.
As a guardian you should always concentrate on the positive effect of the toys. The positive effects include the learning aspect of the toy, the physical and mental enrichment that it can bring about in your child and also the amusement that it will offer.
Toys for toddlers must captivate them in many ways. It should be physically engrossing as well as mentally challenging. Push toys (like Corn Popper give toddlers are actually meant for the physical exercise of the kids. It is also beneficial for the development of the motor skills of the kids. The toys teach them cause and effect relationships.
The children are like sponges at this age. They take up concepts at an amazing rate, and they often do that through play. Therefore while selecting the toys, keep in mind what kind of educational benefits it will bring about rather than concentrating solely on the amusement that it will offer to your child.
Those toys which are as basic as blocks are regarded as learning toys. Actually when the kids will start playing with them, they will develop a skill and an aptitude of mathematics. While playing the game they will understand the basic principles of mathematics.
As a guardian you should always concentrate on the positive effect of the toys. The positive effects include the learning aspect of the toy, the physical and mental enrichment that it can bring about in your child and also the amusement that it will offer.
- Puzzles: There are certain toys which teach a child to solve puzzles. This is extremely nice for your kids. They can learn new tactics to solve various puzzles on various topics.
- Travel Games: The travel games give an idea of the colored keys that are required to open the boxes. Each specific box opens with a specific colored key.
- Lacing toys: The lacing toys comprise laces of various colors. The toddler is required to lace the shoes properly. A certain amount of intelligence is also required in this game. Therefore, while your kid practices this game, his IQ will go up.
- Bath Toys: consists of a number of games like “Make a Bubble” and “Swim and Swish”. Moreover, there are other games such as funny face bath and “Fashion in the Tub”. These games require a certain amount of intelligence. The kids would simply like them. The”Spin and Spray Turtle” is a great favorite among kids. They enjoy the water games while taking a bath.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/learning-toys-for-toddlers-585204.html
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
K'Nex Construction Toys
K'Nex is another set of contructive toys that you may want to consider for your kids if your kids already have building experience with LEGO. K'NEX allows you to build something 'out of the box' and even integrate with LEGO building sets.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Educational Toys Help Children's' Learning
We live in a day and age where children are watching TV and playing video games all of the time. Sure, it may seem as if video games and television stimulate a child's brain, but many times kids are sitting there like zombies. Unless the television show is an educational show that doesn't bore the child or the video game is something that involves a certain degree of strategy, they're not getting too much out of these two things. Most of all, they are not exactly using their imaginations in a world that requires its occupants to be imaginative in order to survive personally and occupationally.
As convenient as television and video games are at keeping the kids busy and behaved, it is time for parents to rebel. The revolt begins as the child develops by using such things as educational toys. Adults use puzzles, brain teasers, and other things that require thought to keep their minds sharp. It has been shown that adults who stay on top of their game with activities that make them think are taking an active measure toward preventing Alzheimer's. By incorporating such things into a child's life and keeping those activities as part of their life, a parent is taking an active role in ensuring that their child's mind stays sharp. It is also important to emphasize to that child how important such activities are as an adult so that they can take a preventive measure toward diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
Educational toys
Educational toys come in many different types and are available for children as soon as they learn how to grab things. They can be something as simple as a puppet or matching shapes. The child is forced to think and the colorful pieces that come with these toys make the activity interesting. What makes these activities even more interesting is when the parent is involved and praising the child when the child is successful.
Starting these activities early means that the child is going to get a developmental head start and will be using strategy easily by the time he or she begins kindergarten. Your child will have the mental maturity needed to make it through the world if you start stimulating their brains early and making it fun to learn. When kids don't have fun learning is when they have learning difficulties throughout their entire lives. This isn't always the case, but it has been known to happen. Many children loathe learning for one reason or another, so using educational toys can make it fun and rewarding.
Keeping it up
There are educational toys for children of all ages, so it is good to always make sure there are fun educational toys around the house that are age or intelligence appropriate. And yes, there are some wonderful brain teasers and other educational games on video game systems and computers. When the child reaches a certain age, using these as learning tools can be great. There are also great television programs that make a child think and make learning fun. It is just a matter of placing restrictions on how much time is spent using these electronic tools and making sure there is plenty of time that you and your child are doing fun learning activities together. By taking a time out and doing these activities with your child, you are not only stimulating their brain, but you are actually stimulating your own. The two of you are also spending quality time together in a world that makes quality time very difficult. So it is easy to see how educational toys can benefit you and your child in more ways than just learning.
Mastermind Toys offers a wide range of children's toys and educational toys for kids of all ages.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt
As convenient as television and video games are at keeping the kids busy and behaved, it is time for parents to rebel. The revolt begins as the child develops by using such things as educational toys. Adults use puzzles, brain teasers, and other things that require thought to keep their minds sharp. It has been shown that adults who stay on top of their game with activities that make them think are taking an active measure toward preventing Alzheimer's. By incorporating such things into a child's life and keeping those activities as part of their life, a parent is taking an active role in ensuring that their child's mind stays sharp. It is also important to emphasize to that child how important such activities are as an adult so that they can take a preventive measure toward diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
Educational toys
Educational toys come in many different types and are available for children as soon as they learn how to grab things. They can be something as simple as a puppet or matching shapes. The child is forced to think and the colorful pieces that come with these toys make the activity interesting. What makes these activities even more interesting is when the parent is involved and praising the child when the child is successful.
Starting these activities early means that the child is going to get a developmental head start and will be using strategy easily by the time he or she begins kindergarten. Your child will have the mental maturity needed to make it through the world if you start stimulating their brains early and making it fun to learn. When kids don't have fun learning is when they have learning difficulties throughout their entire lives. This isn't always the case, but it has been known to happen. Many children loathe learning for one reason or another, so using educational toys can make it fun and rewarding.
Keeping it up
There are educational toys for children of all ages, so it is good to always make sure there are fun educational toys around the house that are age or intelligence appropriate. And yes, there are some wonderful brain teasers and other educational games on video game systems and computers. When the child reaches a certain age, using these as learning tools can be great. There are also great television programs that make a child think and make learning fun. It is just a matter of placing restrictions on how much time is spent using these electronic tools and making sure there is plenty of time that you and your child are doing fun learning activities together. By taking a time out and doing these activities with your child, you are not only stimulating their brain, but you are actually stimulating your own. The two of you are also spending quality time together in a world that makes quality time very difficult. So it is easy to see how educational toys can benefit you and your child in more ways than just learning.
Mastermind Toys offers a wide range of children's toys and educational toys for kids of all ages.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt
Monday, October 13, 2008
Educational Toys That Are For Developing the Imagination
The main point to having educational toys is to develop the imagination and curiosity. Some old-fashioned items still have the capacity to learn something good, something that will help in the future. Parents control the play so that it remains on an educational course, requires greater concentration and solving problems. These problems to solve are ones that need to encourage them to use their imagination. For example, a toy that is open-ended and teaches concepts.
By developing their imagination, understand that different objects have different properties, and learn how to combine them to create other interesting objects and learning specific. Learning thru play is a reality developing on their strengths and learning style. The skills our children need to further develop and strengthen. Having endless possibilities with the play of these toys are what encourages their imagination.
By taking a closer look at learning styles early, we can help our children develop and learn through play. There is real learning experience and an environment that is fun and conducive to learning vital skills. There are combinations of fun and learning. Sensory materials, such as finger painting, are great ways to develop. This is a hands-on motor skill that gets carried through school years.
Children need a balance of toys from each of these groups to ensure their whole development. Sensory attraction and self-expression where they've reached a level of personal satisfaction. Research shows that many disabilities and learning disorders in young children can be avoided by providing them with appropriate cognitive stimulation as early as possible.
Visit justsmarttoys
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Gross
By developing their imagination, understand that different objects have different properties, and learn how to combine them to create other interesting objects and learning specific. Learning thru play is a reality developing on their strengths and learning style. The skills our children need to further develop and strengthen. Having endless possibilities with the play of these toys are what encourages their imagination.
By taking a closer look at learning styles early, we can help our children develop and learn through play. There is real learning experience and an environment that is fun and conducive to learning vital skills. There are combinations of fun and learning. Sensory materials, such as finger painting, are great ways to develop. This is a hands-on motor skill that gets carried through school years.
Children need a balance of toys from each of these groups to ensure their whole development. Sensory attraction and self-expression where they've reached a level of personal satisfaction. Research shows that many disabilities and learning disorders in young children can be avoided by providing them with appropriate cognitive stimulation as early as possible.
Visit justsmarttoys
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Gross
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Interactive Toys For Learning
It's unfortunate that more people don't know this, but toys and playing are absolutely vital for a person's development. This isn't only true for babies and children, it's just as true for adults. Yes, even adults need to take some time to goof off and indulge their curiosities now and then if they hope to continue growing and changing as human beings (or have you never spent hours and hours researching random topics on the internet, just for fun?).
With the right developmental toys, playtime can be a whole lot more than something kids do for amusement. With the right toys, playtime can be a productive learning process. Every toy a child might become interested in has some potential to teach, as the child experiments and, well, toys around with it, but some of the best toys are the ones that capitalize on a child's tendency to experiment and aim to teach valuable life skills.
Most obviously, we all recognize on sight such educational wooden toys for babies and toddlers as the ring tower, which uses circular, wooden rings of various colours and sizes to teach children about, well, colours and sizes. These toys are excellent for babies and young toddlers still learning how to interpret and interact with the world around them on the most basic levels. There are also the traditional wooden shape blocks which can be dropped into a box through the corresponding holes, and various other classic toys used to teach basic interaction skills.
If you're looking for baby learning toys or toddler learning toys, you may also want to look into baby walking toys to encourage, well, learning to walk. Bath toys are another excellent form of educational baby toys to encourage basic life skills.
For the slightly older child, these kinds of toys are, of course, kind of boring. Once a child becomes interested in learning mathematics or learning to read, it's kind of hard to find tiny wooden blocks all that amusing anymore.
For the child who has surpassed the need for such basic learning toys, there are, of course, toys like Intellective toy laptops, which teach a variety of reading and mathematic skills, and of course, the classic puzzles and kids games, creative toys, such as Lego sets (check out the Star Wars lego toys if your kid's a real space nut), Duplos, Mega Bloks, and build-it-yourself castle and doll house play sets. Sorry for the run on sentence, but the list really does go on and on.
For the yet MORE advanced child, who might consider all that stuff to be children's toys, between the ages of say, 8 and 12 (though each child advances at his own age, so use your own judgment), there are more advanced toys, like model kits and remote control cars toys. Such toys aren't generally seen as being educational, but they do require a degree of construction and maintenance (which can encourage the kind of habits most of us wish we had when we bought our first used car as a teenager).
It's important to know what kind of interactive learning toys are right for your child, based on their level of development and their own personal interests. Most toys will have a suggested age group, but that's all that that really is: A suggestion. Nobody knows your child like you do, so look to provide them with the toys that seem custom built to their specific needs, and remember that, as helpful as playing can be, the best way to nurture a child's growth is by taking time to help them learn basic life skills and indulging their curiosities.
Yogee.com.au is a leading Australian online toy store. Visit yogee.com.au for a wide selection of Kids Toys at discounted prices. To save money on your next purchase, please visit Toys.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chang_Lim
With the right developmental toys, playtime can be a whole lot more than something kids do for amusement. With the right toys, playtime can be a productive learning process. Every toy a child might become interested in has some potential to teach, as the child experiments and, well, toys around with it, but some of the best toys are the ones that capitalize on a child's tendency to experiment and aim to teach valuable life skills.
Most obviously, we all recognize on sight such educational wooden toys for babies and toddlers as the ring tower, which uses circular, wooden rings of various colours and sizes to teach children about, well, colours and sizes. These toys are excellent for babies and young toddlers still learning how to interpret and interact with the world around them on the most basic levels. There are also the traditional wooden shape blocks which can be dropped into a box through the corresponding holes, and various other classic toys used to teach basic interaction skills.
If you're looking for baby learning toys or toddler learning toys, you may also want to look into baby walking toys to encourage, well, learning to walk. Bath toys are another excellent form of educational baby toys to encourage basic life skills.
For the slightly older child, these kinds of toys are, of course, kind of boring. Once a child becomes interested in learning mathematics or learning to read, it's kind of hard to find tiny wooden blocks all that amusing anymore.
For the child who has surpassed the need for such basic learning toys, there are, of course, toys like Intellective toy laptops, which teach a variety of reading and mathematic skills, and of course, the classic puzzles and kids games, creative toys, such as Lego sets (check out the Star Wars lego toys if your kid's a real space nut), Duplos, Mega Bloks, and build-it-yourself castle and doll house play sets. Sorry for the run on sentence, but the list really does go on and on.
For the yet MORE advanced child, who might consider all that stuff to be children's toys, between the ages of say, 8 and 12 (though each child advances at his own age, so use your own judgment), there are more advanced toys, like model kits and remote control cars toys. Such toys aren't generally seen as being educational, but they do require a degree of construction and maintenance (which can encourage the kind of habits most of us wish we had when we bought our first used car as a teenager).
It's important to know what kind of interactive learning toys are right for your child, based on their level of development and their own personal interests. Most toys will have a suggested age group, but that's all that that really is: A suggestion. Nobody knows your child like you do, so look to provide them with the toys that seem custom built to their specific needs, and remember that, as helpful as playing can be, the best way to nurture a child's growth is by taking time to help them learn basic life skills and indulging their curiosities.
Yogee.com.au is a leading Australian online toy store. Visit yogee.com.au for a wide selection of Kids Toys at discounted prices. To save money on your next purchase, please visit Toys.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chang_Lim
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Rationale Behind Childrens Educational Toys
Children have this natural character to learn. They have this ability to absorb new information and react to a stimulus almost like a sponge. Daily experiences, for instance, are excellent avenued in which children can learn. In this regard, games and play, and consequently the toys that they play with, are very helpful for this purpose. Children's educational toys therefore, are critical in every child's learning and development.
This almost insatiable hunger for learning in children, expressed in their natural propensity to play, should not be wasted on toyd without much relevance to their educational development.
While it is true, as some child experts would assert, that any play will serve its purpose in developing the child's brain and total development, it is equally unassailable that maximizing this natural learning process, is not a bad idea. In fact, it is now an accepted maxim that children's educational toys should be considered by any couple or individual contemplating of raising a kid.
Regular play will not only give the children their needed physical activities, as would the need of adults to have a daily chore or regular work, but also a venue to develop their personality, emotional capability, and even overall traits, that will help them in coping with the world that they live in as they grow. It is also during play that children develop their creativity, imagination, speech, reading, thinking, problem solving, and even their motor skills.
But children's educational toys come with a specific purpose, at least in terms of a child's age. Children up to the age of three will benefit greatly from creative play. Make-believe games are very common in this age-group, so it is best to provide appropriate educational toys. Costumes of their favorite cartoons heroes or heroines should be an opportunity to use as accompaniment for their educational toys.
Educational toys for this purpose can take the forms of teddy bears and other stuff toys, dolls, toys that reinforce arts and craft materials. Toys and other articles that somehow imitate the children's environment are also beneficial.
Children within the range of four to five years age are more cognitive and need toys that would help in the development of their thinking, problem solving skills, and decision making capability. Educational toys that would serve best this need are arts and crafts with considerable difficulty, like Lego and other construction toys. Puzzles also belong to this group of educational toys.
Low Jeremy maintains http://educational-toys.articlesforreprint.com/. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy
This almost insatiable hunger for learning in children, expressed in their natural propensity to play, should not be wasted on toyd without much relevance to their educational development.
While it is true, as some child experts would assert, that any play will serve its purpose in developing the child's brain and total development, it is equally unassailable that maximizing this natural learning process, is not a bad idea. In fact, it is now an accepted maxim that children's educational toys should be considered by any couple or individual contemplating of raising a kid.
Regular play will not only give the children their needed physical activities, as would the need of adults to have a daily chore or regular work, but also a venue to develop their personality, emotional capability, and even overall traits, that will help them in coping with the world that they live in as they grow. It is also during play that children develop their creativity, imagination, speech, reading, thinking, problem solving, and even their motor skills.
But children's educational toys come with a specific purpose, at least in terms of a child's age. Children up to the age of three will benefit greatly from creative play. Make-believe games are very common in this age-group, so it is best to provide appropriate educational toys. Costumes of their favorite cartoons heroes or heroines should be an opportunity to use as accompaniment for their educational toys.
Educational toys for this purpose can take the forms of teddy bears and other stuff toys, dolls, toys that reinforce arts and craft materials. Toys and other articles that somehow imitate the children's environment are also beneficial.
Children within the range of four to five years age are more cognitive and need toys that would help in the development of their thinking, problem solving skills, and decision making capability. Educational toys that would serve best this need are arts and crafts with considerable difficulty, like Lego and other construction toys. Puzzles also belong to this group of educational toys.
Low Jeremy maintains http://educational-toys.articlesforreprint.com/. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Kids Still Love Lego
One of the most popular of all the kids’ toys in their toy box, Lego continues to be a hit with children of all ages. If you think of Lego as the old standard sets, you may need to reconsider. No longer just a plain set of interlocking blocks, Lego now offers a wide variety of standard sets as well as theme packages. Racing cars, dinosaurs, Star Wars and city building are just a few of the theme sets available. These sets combine the fun of building with the imagination of children and adults alike to provide entertainment for the whole family. Parents and children enjoy working together to create imaginative buildings, projects and just spending time together doing something fun.
Pictures and directions are included in the theme and standard Lego sets to help children get started with projects. Blocks, figurines and other accessories are also included, and this varies from set to set. If your child is between the ages of 1 month to 18 months, 1 year to 3 years or 2 to 6 years Lego has a customized set of preschool toys that have larger blocks and more figures to help with small hands and developing imaginations.
Help Stimulate Creativity with Lego Toys
Creativity is the key to Lego. Children and adults alike can use their imaginations to design whatever they can picture. The easy to manipulate and interlock blocks allow for easy construction of projects. The sets can all be interchanged, so it is possible to use parts and pieces with one set in combination with another. This will really allow the imagination of both adults and children to be able to create some unique projects and designs.
Lego Resources Online
The Lego online club is free for children to join. It is a place where kids can exchange information and pictures on projects, as well as download cool stickers and coloring pages of Lego characters and designs. There are message boards that allow children all over the world to discuss their Lego projects and get new ideas. A newsletter is also part of the site and children are encouraged to send in pictures and Lego ideas.
Many parents feel that children spend too much time with high tech items, and are forgetting about the fun toys. Lego is able to allow your children to develop creativity, imagination as well as motor skills in building and constructing their ideas and projects. Children of all ages love Lego, and with the new theme packages even older children will enjoy playing. The easy way in which pieces of Lego can be interchanged between sets leads to interesting and one of a kind projects.
Find more toy articles by Corinne at Toys 247, a toy stores resource site with forums, shopping, directories and reviews.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corinne_Waldon
Friday, September 26, 2008
Educational Toys For Kids
Choosing a toy to purchase for finicky kids can often be difficult. Both the parent and children will have something entirely different in mind. The most common characteristic that parents look for in toys is something educational that will help a child learn as they play.
The best learning toys for kids are constructions toys such as LEGO and K'NEX. The main learning benefit of these toys is that they allow children to actively engage their minds and imaginations when playing with them. Other toys are premade, which means kids can only do so much with them. Construction toys require kids to think and imagine when building. When building, kids will need to follow instructions. This gives kids valuable experience and practice following directions and ensuring their models are built correctly.
The benefit of construction toys is even more clear when considering that kids will frequently need to think to conceive their own models. To build a successful model, especially with K'nex, they will often learn valuable lessons about the stability of a model and how to improve a design.
As mentioned, the two main construction toys are K'NEX and LEGO. There are distinct differences between the two. K'NEX is more structurally oriented in that it allows for larger and more mechanically oriented designs such as vehicles, structures and mechanical systems. It consists of rods and connectors, which allows for building mechanical systems such as gear and pulley systems and such. LEGO on the other hand is more oriented toward designing for looks, and the models are generally less functional. The models are more limited since the pieces are limited to bricks and decorator pieces.
Generally, LEGO is best for younger children, as the smaller pieces are easier to manage. The best method is to buy LEGO first, and if the child gets bored of it, buy K'NEX, which allows for more complex designs.
K'nex Instructions
Build and share anything and everything made with K'nex! K'nex instructions for vehicles with suspension, programmable robots, ball machines and more!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Wa
The best learning toys for kids are constructions toys such as LEGO and K'NEX. The main learning benefit of these toys is that they allow children to actively engage their minds and imaginations when playing with them. Other toys are premade, which means kids can only do so much with them. Construction toys require kids to think and imagine when building. When building, kids will need to follow instructions. This gives kids valuable experience and practice following directions and ensuring their models are built correctly.
The benefit of construction toys is even more clear when considering that kids will frequently need to think to conceive their own models. To build a successful model, especially with K'nex, they will often learn valuable lessons about the stability of a model and how to improve a design.
As mentioned, the two main construction toys are K'NEX and LEGO. There are distinct differences between the two. K'NEX is more structurally oriented in that it allows for larger and more mechanically oriented designs such as vehicles, structures and mechanical systems. It consists of rods and connectors, which allows for building mechanical systems such as gear and pulley systems and such. LEGO on the other hand is more oriented toward designing for looks, and the models are generally less functional. The models are more limited since the pieces are limited to bricks and decorator pieces.
Generally, LEGO is best for younger children, as the smaller pieces are easier to manage. The best method is to buy LEGO first, and if the child gets bored of it, buy K'NEX, which allows for more complex designs.
K'nex Instructions
Build and share anything and everything made with K'nex! K'nex instructions for vehicles with suspension, programmable robots, ball machines and more!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Wa
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