Learning toys stimulate a childs physical or emotional development. They can do this by helping to teach a particular skill or subject, or by encouraging the achievement of a particular milestone in development. And, with the best toys, the child will have fun while realising their potential.
The sorts of things these playthings can help with include: fine motor skills, verbal and aural recognition skills, and problem solving.
They tend to have greater value if they are appropriate for the age of the child who is playing with them. And its been found that the earlier a child starts to play with educational games and toys, the sooner they feel the benefit. Its even possible to buy toys for babies, aimed at helping them to learn.
Play has always been a way of teaching younger kids the essential life skills - and basic literacy and numeracy ideas - but now, more toys than ever are designed with the child's education and development in mind.
Some parents make their choice by the material the learning toy is made from, perhaps choosing real materials, such as wood, metal or wool, over electronic or plastic products. (Others, of course, swear by electronic playthings.)
Children have played with wooden items for generations, and these toys can spark hours of creative enjoyment. While wooden building blocks, for example, may seem simple enough objects, but they can teach elementary principles of science.
A child can learn that if a block falls, it will continue to do so until a surface stops it, while also developing patience, and basic hand-eye co-ordination.
Another guiding principle when buying an educational toy, is to go for a product relevant to something the child has already shown an interest in - whether thats trains, animals or cooking - since it needs to hold their attention.
If your child enjoys solving mysteries, for example, maybe a toy which gets them to solve different maths problems, to get the clues to a crime, would be ideal.
Many toys these days brand themselves as educational products, so be very clear on what the item will do, how specifically it will boost learning, and what particular skills it is aimed at improving. If you are in doubt about somethings educational value, ask the manufacturer or shop assistant.
Toys cause very few accidents indeed, and are generally incredibly safe. But look out for the kite mark which shows that the British Standards Institution has independently tested it, and confirmed the product conforms to the relevant British Standard for safety.
If you cant find something you like in the High Street, the Internet is a fantastic resource. Read product reviews, see what other parents are buying, chat to them online and swap advice and tips. The Italians say it takes a village to raise a child, but there's no reason why that cant be a global, web-based one.
Look online to find the best selection of learning toys, in the shortest space of time. Internet deals could save you money, as well.
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