Kids learn best through play. While they can play using only their imagination (it can often be the best tool in development), the right toys can give that imagination a helping hand and allow children’s brains to create new paths and boost development. Not all toys are created equal—some are practically useless for your child’s development while others push the growth in the right direction. Here’s why educational toys are so important for your kids:
They are tools for development
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Sure, toys can be fun and colorful, but oftentimes, they have a much higher purpose than just entertainment. It doesn’t matter how much fun you have buying toys and trying them out with your kids, it’s important to know that educational toys work on various skills and can take your child towards their developmental goals. And since most kids play with some sort of toys throughout the day, make sure these toys are well-designed to teach critical thinking, social interactions, creativity and problem-solving.
They are timeless
While every generation of kids needs new skills to thrive in the ever-changing society, true educational toys are timeless and know no language. For instance, a set of simple wooden cubes or circles, even though they look boring, can foster longer play and allow kids to practice many skills. And it doesn’t matter where the kids are from and what kind of culture they are growing up in, they will benefit from these toys that know no limits. These educational toys can be passed on from sibling to sibling and from generation to generation, keeping their appeal.
They are calming
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The world we live in today can often be overwhelming for even typical kids, let alone atypical ones. Wherever we turn, there’s color, sound and flashing lights, so kids can often get anxious and nervous. Thanks to quality educational toys designed for special-needs kids, kids can find relief from the world and use the toys to occupy their minds and practice their motor skills at the same time. These specially-designed toys provide atypical kids hours of safe fun and self-soothing solutions while also giving them new skills to practice.
They exercise motor skills
When kids take their toys, manipulate them in their hands and put them down, they practice their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Educational toys that require kids to push, pull, pinch, turn and use their bodies are crucial for their mental and physical growth. Best toys that practice motor skills have larger elements that allow catching, lifting and pushing, and smaller details (buttons, zippers and strings) practice finer motor skills. Kids that master motor skills like catching a ball, riding a bike, using a bouncy ball, jumping on a pogo stick, etc., usually have an easier time handling harder tasks as they grow up.
Educational toys teach emotional stability
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Kids often get very connected to their toys, creating positive memories with them, which allows them to channel their feelings. When kids get attached to toys, it promotes healthy bonding. Toys that kids can associate with love, care and attention cultivate important emotions and teach them how to handle them later in life.
Different toys, different thoughts
Every child is different, meaning every brain works in a different way and creates different connections and paths. Toys like robot toys, motor ride-on toys, interactive battery-powered toys and remote-controlled cars might be colorful and interesting for a while, but they will quickly become boring. Plus they don’t do much for your child’s development since they don’t engage enough parts of the brain. On the other hand, open-ended toys like building blocks and dolls require creativity, hand-eye coordination, grip, motor skills and logic skills. And all kids who get a hold of building blocks and toy babies create different things and stories. Different kids react differently to toys, so it might require some experimentation until you find something your kid reacts positively to.
Equal benefits for all
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Kids are curious by nature and their curiosity is much stronger than the parents’ desire to see their kid play with “correct toys”. Educational toys are not gendered and they are designed to improve the development of all kids, no matter if they are girls or boys. And by sharing toys, kids of all genders can share ideas and create connections. Instead of having girls playing with mini kitchens and boys playing with trucks, educational toys have everyone playing together and sharing important experiences. This is crucial for social development and the development of love and tolerance.
It’s important to remember that kids need quality over quantity when it comes to their playthings. Kids can have hundreds of toys and still not play with any of them because they don’t offer enough engagement. Educational toys, on the other hand, are simple, so they require your kids to use their creativity, which results in much more fulfilling play. Good toys allow kids to make a seamless transition to adulthood because they equip them with all the necessary skills grownups need.
