This is a sponsored post.
If you are a regular reader of this blog you will know that we advocate for the benefits of
learning through play. Here we regularly show you ways to play and learn with your kids, generally using things you can find around the house as well as basic art and craft supplies. However, despite using as many recyclable materials as we can in our play we have still bought and been given lots of toys for our kids. Whilst we don't show you all of that play on the blog, it is still a big part of how our children play and learn.
The toys that we choose to buy for our kids can make a difference in their development. Being presented opportunities to see, play with and experience specific materials will present
different challenges, require different skill sets and cover different learning areas. Children can learn from any toy, (or anything they deem to be a toy), but the amount, depth and breadth of the learning depends on the interaction between the child and it, and the type of opportunities the toys provide. Further learning can also occur when the child plays cooperatively with peers or adults.
Educational Toys encourage specific learning areas such as Literacy, Maths, Science, Music etc. and are often more expensive than "regular toys" as (hopefully) more thought has gone into the educational benefits and the usefulness for your child and I find they are more often built to last. This isn't always the case though so it is important when choosing toys for your children that you consider a few points.
Some questions to consider when choosing a toy for your child.
- What areas of learning will this allow my child to experience?
- What different skills will my child need/develop playing with this toy?
- Are there different ways for my child to play and engage with the toy?
- Will the toy grow with them?
- Will the toy last?
- Can the toy be played independently?
- Can the toy be cooperatively played with?
- Does the toy encourage creative thinking?
Thinking about these things first can save you a lot of money because toys nowadays aren't cheap and if they're not going to last and your children aren't going to see many benefits from them and be kept engaged over time, then they are probably just wasting your money. If I round up all the virtually useless toys we've had at our place and their combined price, I shudder to think how that money could have been better spent.
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