Over 26 studies highlight the importance of play for children. These research works show that games and toys have an important role in developing their literacy, as well as social-emotional and motor skills.
Fun and games with other children are essential for socialization, but toys also have a part to play in your child’s early development, if you choose appropriate ones.
These are the things to look out for when buying toys for your young children.
Does the Toy Have Staying Power?
When you buy a toy, always examine its quality closely. Poorly constructed toys will break quicker.
Not only is this a waste of your money, but a broken toy could also injure your child.
You must consider how much use your child might get out of the toy. Some toys, like balls, suit almost any age group and lend themselves to a fantastic variety of games with other children or on their own.
Other toys for kids that boast multiple uses and have a long lifespan include dolls, action figures, plastic animals, and cars or trucks.
Avoid Buying Toys for the Wrong Age Group
While you want toys that can go the distance, your child won’t ‘grow into’ their toys like they can with oversized clothing. When you buy your little one a toy that’s intended for an older child, you’re setting yourself up for several unpleasant scenarios.
These include:
- Choking on small parts
- Your child may break the toy quickly
- Frustration born of a failure to make the toy work
Toys aimed at younger children will soon bore your child and won’t offer many learning opportunities for them.
Choose ‘Educational’ Toys
Almost all toys are educational in some sense of the word, but your child will get more value out of those that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and exploring.
The best toys for kids are those that encourage them to figure things out on their own, albeit with a little coaching. This helps them fine-tune their logical thinking, spatial relations, and problem-solving skills.
Some of the best options include puzzles, building blocks, crayons, and play-dough. Look on educational toy websites like Landzo.com, IndexToy.com, and Sphero.com, for inspiration.
Select Some Toys That Encourage Activity
Physical exercise is also a type of learning for children of all ages. When buying toys for kids, always consider those that will enhance their current levels of physical development while guiding them toward the next phase.
Some good examples include tricycles or scooters, bowling sets, pull-toys, wagons, gardening tools, and even good size cardboard boxes for building and climbing.
Don’t Overdo It
While buying toys for your children is never a bad thing, buying too many toys may confuse and bewilder them. Young children aren’t the most decisive beings.
Rather, use this toy buying guide to choose high-quality, enduring playthings and let them get creative by finding new ways to play with them.
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