One thing all children have in common is the love of toys. If you’ve ever watched children in a toy store, you know how excited they can get. But what kids don’t know is that most toys also help them learn.
So while they think it’s all fun and games, they’re actually learning in the process. Sounds sneaky, but it works. It’s easier for children to learn and retain information when they’re doing something fun. Here are some fun toys that are also educational and beneficial to children.
Great Toys for Child Development
1. Babies
Most babies are born with the desire to learn. As soon as they’re able, babies try to touch and taste anything within reach. Everything is new and exciting to them. This is why babies benefit from toys that stimulate their new and growing senses.
Little ones tend to love things that make noise, such as rattles or toys that make music. Colorful toys are good support for developing vision, and building blocks are great for developing hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
2. Toddlers
As babies get older, they can play with a wider variety of toys. But that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. A toddler can even still play with some of their baby toys. For instance, building blocks can introduce toddlers to counting. Same toy, but different lesson. Using old toys is fine, but it’s best to get new toys appropriate for toddlers.
Shape sorters are a popular choice. These sorters teach toddlers about recognizing and matching shapes. Lego blocks are popular as well for helping toddlers recognize colors, develop motor skills, and stimulate the imagination.
3. School-Age Children
By the time they start preschool, children are ready to focus on language skills, letters, and numbers. Traditional toys like flash cards and puzzles are just as good as ever. And coloring books will never go out of style. But electronic gadgets are also popular. It’s common to see kindergarten children learning to use electronic tablets and computers in the classroom.
The good thing about electronic learning is children can usually have the same gadgets at home. Most homes have at least one electronic tablet or computer a child can use for educational purposes. If you aren’t crazy about your school-age children using devices for entertainment, action figures, such as those found at Megalopolis, can also be a huge hit. Many are based on favorite movie characters and can be a fun way for children to expand their creativity.
4. Teenagers
Learning doesn’t stop when a child reaches high school. You won’t find teenagers playing with building blocks or flash cards. But children this age can still learn while having fun. Older children usually enjoy games that stimulate their senses and spark their imaginations.
The Importance of Playtime
Choosing age-appropriate toys is important. Children will get frustrated and give up if a toy is too difficult. When choosing toys for children, always keep their ages in mind. Playing with toys is important for kids of all ages. It helps them develop cognitive and physical skills, and it makes learning fun. Children are more likely to develop a love of learning when it’s fun. This is a habit that can follow them into adulthood.
Playing also helps children develop social and communication skills. And best of all, when you play with your child, it provides valuable time for emotional bonding.