subject: Children's Educational Toys - What To Expect From Them [print this page] Children's Educational Toys - What To Expect From Them
Studies have found that most children's IQ's can be improved by as many as fifty points by exposing her or him to educational toys throughout the very first six years of their lives. Educational toys are an excellent way to encourage even the youngest child, and they provide moms and dads the opportunity to engage in fun play with and provide positive feedback to their kids. However, with so many toys on the market for parents to pick from, it can become difficult for parents to make a decision on what to purchase. The following information and facts can assist you in better understanding what you can expect from educational toys and where you will be able to find the very best toys for your little one.
What exactly are educational toys?
Basically, educational toys are toys that help children learn. These types of toys are primarily created to build certain skills; they should be intriguing and appealing, challenging your little one, yet enabling him or her to feel a feeling of accomplishment when he or she is successful at performing a "task." Educational toys are on the market for all age brackets; some of the skills these toys aim for include the following:
Fine and gross motor control;
Hand-eye coordination;
Shape and color recognition;
Numbers and problem solving;
Creative play and social skills.
The proper educational toys can engage your child's creativity and help her to develop self-confidence as she finds out how to manipulate objects and builds critical thinking skills.
How about educational DVDs and video games?
There has been a great deal of interest over the last decade or so in educational shows and electronic games; a great number of parents were led to believe that these programs and games would help increase their children's intellect and develop their artistic, musical, and language skills. But the truth is, research has shown that video games and dvds, even of the so-called educational type, do little to increase a kid's abilities. Although, watching educational programs is more desirable as compared to wasting countless hours looking at cartoons, the general rule of thumb is that children should not spend any more than two hours a day sitting in front of a screen, whether that be a television or computer.
How can I understand which toys will be best suited for my own child?
Educational toys and games are generally labeled in accordance to the age group for which they were designed. These recommendations are the best way to decide which toys are most suitable for your children. Toys with tiny parts that can easily be put into children's mouths are not suitable for kids younger than the age of three. Toys that are intended for older kids can also be aggravating for younger children, so it is best not to assume that you have a budding prodigy and give a Rubik's cube to your tot. Shop for high-quality learning toys that are manufactured from non-toxic, kid-friendly substances.
