Your child’s play is their main route to learning and development. Toys support the growth and development of your child in a way that they enjoy. While some of us view playtime only as a recreational period for children, it is undeniably the best opportunity for young children to learn. When kids enjoy what they do, they usually get engrossed in their toys and learn to develop skills associated with that toy. So if you want your children to get the most out of their playtime, try to pick toys and gadgets that will help them to develop positive ideas and skills.
There are hundreds of toyshops and thousands of toys and gadgets to choose from, but how do you know that what you are getting is educational for your child? To help you buy the next toy for your little one, the following are the top ten things to consider.
1. Pick multi-sensory toys
Toys that provide sensory attraction are best because they tend to develop the senses more meaningfully. For instance, colourful toys are a good choice, but also consider those that have sound, movement and interesting textures to stimulate the senses of hearing and touch as well as vision. If you are buying a doll, you can choose a scented (but non-toxic) dress for the doll, to stimulate their sense of smell. For gadgets, appealing to the senses is not a problem because most computer games and apps offer sounds and excellent visuals to stimulate your child’s interest.
2. Consider self-expression
When children play the right toy, they can also develop their self-expression. When buying a new toy, ask yourself if it will inspire self-expression in your child. There are apps that involve virtual characters, which children can design in their likeness.
3. Go for challenging and rewarding experiences
Playing is more than just enjoyment – children should also have a sense of accomplishment after they have played with the toy. For instance, blocks may seem very simple, but when your toddler has managed to pile them up without knocking them over, then they feel a sense of challenge and reward. For older children, you can get a competitive app for maths, spelling or word building so that they can play with you, or with their friends, and find out who wins the game, making maths and English into a challenge.
4. Choose versatile toys
To get good value for money, you should look for toys that can be played with in many ways. In learning how to play with the toy, your child will develop his sense of curiosity and creativity. Building blocks and Lego are good examples of versatile toys and with gadgets, iPads seem to be very versatile as children can use them for games, music, taking notes, reading books and other worthwhile activities.
5. Look for flexibility
If you buy a toy or an app, is it flexible? Are the speed, volume and level of difficulty adjustable? These are just some aspects of flexibility that you need to consider.
6. Consider interaction
Toys that promote interaction with other kids are also good educational toys. For instance, dressing-up costumes help them interact with other children. Board games also help children to interact with their peers. However, note that toddlers and infants do not enjoy playing with other children, so this tip applies primarily preschool and school age children. You can also choose non-violent computer games or 2-player apps so they can play with their friends or family.
7. Consider safety
While learning is important, safety should also be a priority. Avoid toys with choking hazards and electrocution risks. This is also an important advantage of using electronic devices because they are usually safe, but make sure that you charge the gadget for your kids, to avoid electric shocks.
8. Choose durable toys
Children will be able to play longer and discover more with a durable toy, and you get the best value for your money.
9. Consider your child’s interests
Often, parents pick the toys and apps that they want for their child. Always consider the interests of your child, while helping them to avoid violent toys and games.
10. Get non-toxic toys
Finally, parents also need to inspect the toy for toxic elements. Shopping at a reliable toyshop such as Magic Cabin using Magic Cabin coupon ensures you that you get lead-free toys for your child’s health.
About the author: Marie O’Connor works at an educational toyshop, helping children and parents to pick worthwhile toys. If you want the best deal for your money, you can use a Magic Cabin coupon when shopping at Magic Cabin.