When most parents think of learning or educational toys, most think of flashcards and vocabulary-building computer games. However, the selection of toys and games for infants and toddlers varies from traditional “educational” items. “Learning” for the first three years means acquiring skills and stimulating the senses. Toys and games target these areas, from a baby building up its vision and hearing to toddlers acquiring fine and gross motor skills. Such abilities can’t be acquired through a computer program or television show (despite what Baby Einstein would like you to believe), and hands-on is the best way to learn at this age.
A recent article discusses some points for picking out learning toys. Brain development from birth to three years is one significant point addressed by many learning toys, as children want to explore the world and acquire new skills at this age – although they might not realize it. The toys should help not only with learning new skills but also help with building confidence, creativity, emotions, coordination, social skills, and language. All give babies and toddlers a fun way to learn and develop.
As far as picking out baby education toys is concerned, there are no “right” toys to get, although you may see software advertised from time to time. Baby educational toys start at the level in which a child is building up his or her senses. Such toys for developing vision, for example, may include black, white, and red images. Those for texture may be designed with varying surfaces.
But, beyond enhancing an infant’s five senses, toddlers and preschool age children have more physical and social skills to develop. Although a blog post can’t get into the depth of such a field, a true educational toy will assist with a child practicing a skill. A set of blocks, for example, may help develop coordination and problem solving skills, as well as shape and color recognition and organizational skills. I bet you never thought that a basic set of blocks could have that many skills attached to it, right?
