The Most Popular Educational and Learning Toys As Of This Moment
March 1, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Baby Toys, Learning Toys, Melissa and Doug, Science & Discovery Toys, Toys, Wooden Toys
This right here is one of the most popular education-based toy around. And it's a video game system.
If I were pressed to defend the educational value of video games, I probably couldn’t do much other than say they can teach reading, math, problem solving, community interaction, cause and effect, and hand-eye coordination skills, so really I’d have an uphill battle talking about their benefits (wink). However, there are a handful of very popular toys being sold this very second to parents wishing to give their kids a little boost in the learning aspect of playing while still making sure the toy is fun (gotta love parents). But just what are some of the most popular educational and learning toys right now?
Comic Book Club: Chickenhare
February 15, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Comics & Graphic Novels, Toys
I bet you haven't heard of this one, have you?
My hope is that by now you have enough confidence in me and my choices to trust just about anything I say. I’m going to need you to continue doing just that because there is a pretty cool book in today’s Comic Book Club that needs to be read. I’ll just give the name first and let you ponder it for a second: Chickenhare. Really yet? Let’s get started. Read more
My Review of the VTech Preschool Learning Laptop
May 4, 2009 by Mary Price
Filed under Gaming & Electronic Toys, Learning Toys
My kid’s first response when she saw the VTech Preschool Learning Tote ‘N Go Laptop was, “Whoa, I want one of those!” It’s a portable laptop for kids that looks like a grown-ups version complete with a handle for carrying, a keyboard, mouse, and teaching activities on screen. The computer takes 3 AA batteries and the recommended age range is 3-7 years, which could potentially keep the kids off the real laptop for a number of years.
LeapFrog TAG Reading System Wins 2009 Learning Toy Award
March 2, 2009 by Mary Price
Filed under Learning Toys
What makes a toy a learning toy? It is quite possible that any toy can be a learning toy — from coloring books and building blocks on.
But most people have something quite different in mind when they talk about learning toys. So when looking for something interactive with an educational spin I found a good place to start — the toy awards. Read more
Melissa and Doug Monster Puppet Ready for Halloween
September 19, 2008 by dungan
Filed under Melissa and Doug
Halloween is getting closer – do you know what your costume is yet? Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time. But expect things to get downright ghoulish around here for the next two months.
Scare up a puppet that you design!
Autumn Fair 2008 Boasts Hundreds of Toy Vendors
The famed Autumn Fair is coming up soon: September 7 – 10, 2008. This is one of the biggest gift fairs in England, with over 2000 vendors. The fair is also considered by many to be the best place to unveil upcoming holiday product launches, so visitors are always delighted with all the fresh presentations.
Some up-and-coming educational toy vendors this year include Insect Lore, Alphabet Jigsaw, Brainstorm Limited, Happy Nature and Mudpuppy. These are all quality toy makers committed to education, traditional toys, and natural products.
Webkinz World: a Safe and Educational Site for Kids
We have been exploring Webkinz World and want to share our findings. Overall, this kid-focused web portal seems to be everything it advertises: a safe and educational site for kids.
Here’s how it works: every cute and cuddily Webkinz pet comes with a secret code.
Your child pops this code into the online companion site for Webkinz, and then she can navigate around a virtual world built for these imaginative creatures.
Are electronic toys the best?
Toys are usually the first things that children have that are really their own. So it should not come as a surprise that these first possessions leave an important mark on child psychology. As such, parents should not think of toys simply as things that distract and entertain their children, but also as things that teach their children about the world they live in: most importantly, the world beyond the parent’s safe home.
Toys send messages about what is truly important, so choosing toys well can have long-lasting positive benefits on children. Experts disagree on what toys are the best for kids. There are two main camps: the technology lovers and the traditionalists.
Early learning toys from babies to preschoolers
Despite the warnings you may have heard that recommended ages listed on toys can be inaccurate, it is still possible to find the right toy as a gift if all you know is the child’s age. In particular, age categories are more consistent with younger children, from babies up to four or five years old.
Electronic toys create the right level of challenge
Last week the discussion about learning was focused by the metaphor of children’s minds as sponges. However, there is an art to intellectually challenging a child. In other words, kids don’t learn on autopilot. Mentally reviewing the names of colors or the alphabet’s letters can be tiresome. An added ingredient of challenge or spontaneity is actually what keeps their minds open and ready for more.
On the other hand, don’t overdo it. Kids become frustrated just as quickly as they learn, so it’s important to have some guidelines in mind. These guidelines will help until parents figure out their child’s unique sensibilities. Yes, “sensibilities” is an euphemism for what causes a child to become overwhelmed and shut down. Follow these suggestions, and that delicate balance may be achieved a little easier.
