If you have ever taken a child to the toy store, you have probably dealt with several kinds of emotional outbursts including, pouting, temper tantrums, anger and just plain frustration. And I’m not just talking about the kids….
Kids love toys and they will probably see a number of toys that they feel like they can’t live without in just one visit. So are toys actually worth all this emotional stress of the ‘toy store visit’ and how can you make that visit a little more enjoyable?
Kids love toys and they will probably see a number of toys that they feel like they can’t live without in just one visit. So are toys actually worth all this emotional stress of the ‘toy store visit’ and how can you make that visit a little more enjoyable?
The best toys actually engage in a child’s senses, sparks their imagination and encourages interaction with others instead of staring into a phone or computer screen. And educational play is essential to every area of a child’s growth and development because it strengthens and refines small and large motor skills so a child can grow and develop normally.
For a baby, toys with contrasting colors can stimulate their developing vision and help build hand-eye coordination. For a toddler, shape sorting toys and Lego blocks provide the opportunity to learn more about colors and symmetry while developing their motor skills.
For a baby, toys with contrasting colors can stimulate their developing vision and help build hand-eye coordination. For a toddler, shape sorting toys and Lego blocks provide the opportunity to learn more about colors and symmetry while developing their motor skills.
As a child approaches school age, it’s time to start learning about letters and numbers and the toys should help supplement this new way of learning in a fun way. Puzzles, puppets, and playdough can also help encourage creativity in addition to learning letters and numbers.
And how many toys have you actually bought that only get played with for just one day and then end up deep in the closet until it gets transferred to a donation center? To give these toys a longer shelf life, start playing with the toy yourself right in front of the child. Eventually they will come sit right beside you out of curiosity and thus the inspiration of the previously ignored toy returns.
And then we have the actual dreaded trip to the toy store. First of all, map your route before entering the toy store. Go to the section of the store that is appropriate for your child’s age. At the same time, perhaps introduce the concept of “giving to others” to teach your child a valuable lesson of generosity along with purchasing a toy for their own enjoyment. You can also try going to the store for a “looking only” trip. This will teach your child that not every adventure is going to result in buying a toy.
Education and technology do not necessarily go hand in hand. Give your child a break from technology and head to the store to choose your educational toys carefully. Social skills are going down the tubes because of children burying their heads in a tablet or video game. Education begins with the parent! And developing a child’s passion to learn creatively with appropriate educational toys, leads to a successful mind of the future.
And how many toys have you actually bought that only get played with for just one day and then end up deep in the closet until it gets transferred to a donation center? To give these toys a longer shelf life, start playing with the toy yourself right in front of the child. Eventually they will come sit right beside you out of curiosity and thus the inspiration of the previously ignored toy returns.
And then we have the actual dreaded trip to the toy store. First of all, map your route before entering the toy store. Go to the section of the store that is appropriate for your child’s age. At the same time, perhaps introduce the concept of “giving to others” to teach your child a valuable lesson of generosity along with purchasing a toy for their own enjoyment. You can also try going to the store for a “looking only” trip. This will teach your child that not every adventure is going to result in buying a toy.
Education and technology do not necessarily go hand in hand. Give your child a break from technology and head to the store to choose your educational toys carefully. Social skills are going down the tubes because of children burying their heads in a tablet or video game. Education begins with the parent! And developing a child’s passion to learn creatively with appropriate educational toys, leads to a successful mind of the future.
