Playing Is Educational

Experts in early childhood development believe that early and frequent play with educational toys is extremely beneficial to developmental skills in children. When choosing educational toys for your child, some things to keep in mind are:

~The child’s interests and skills, the toy’s durability
~Whether the toy teaches communication or motor skills
~How easy the toy is to use
~Whether the toy will stimulate creativity or cognitive thinking
~Whether the toy can be used without an adult present
~Whether the toy can help the child express emotions and interact with others.

Above all else, early childhood activities and toys should be fun.  Read labels for appropriate age ranges and safety warnings, and keep track of toy recalls in the media.  Choose a safe storage place for toys and check their level of functioning every few weeks, repairing or discarding damaged toys.  If possible, toys should be cleaned every so often as well!

Do your kids sit on the couch all day playing video games or watching television? If they do, then it’s probably about time they tried a new after-school activity. Younger children can especially benefit from activities that incorporate learning with fun.

Buy a few wooden puzzles and see how your children react to them. Keep in mind that they may need some help putting them together. Remember that participating in activities with your children can strengthen your relationship and let you get to know your child better.