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What’s the Toy-Story?
Published on: Wednesday, 26th July, 2006
It’s unlikely that arithmetic flash cards at the age of three are going to unleash the next Einstein. Or that choosing a precise combination of educational toys will guarantee a future good job and happy life for your little one. However, educational toys are proven to play a positive role in a child’s development, so there is no harm in learning a little about what your child stands to gain from them. Child educational psychologists have made a living out of researching what type of toys best suit different age groups – so it can’t all be just hot air.
“Educational toys are essential in a child development,” says Maha Elazzar, educational consultant, at Awladouna Centre for Learning and Rehabilitation, Sharjah. “Kids are real visual thinkers, but they also need to see, touch or hear things to better understand. Toys, therefore, provide the perfect sensory interaction for kids to learn from. They develop a child’s curiosity, set goals for children and increase their attention span.”
The Early Learning Centre (ELC) has specially designed toys that are age appropriate and both educational and fun. The concept originated in the early 1970’s after numerous studies showed the importance of play patterns to later development and learning abilities in children. “A child’s mind is like a perfect sponge - so they can only benefit from toys that help facilitate their development,” says Gaurav Khemani, marketing manager at ELC, Dubai. “At ELC we figure out what exactly a child is interested in at a particular age and then we develop toys specifically designed to suit that age group. For children under three years, who like to put everything they see in their mouths, we provide toys that are choke tested and strictly chemical free.”
“Quality and safety are assured in all our toys, and we link every toy back to educational values,” he adds. Ayesha Tully, a busy working Dubai mother, is very interested in educational toys, because she trusts that they are meticulously tested and feels safer leaving her daughter playing with them when she is at work. “Rather than give my daughter a toy that she doesn’t understand, or one is too advanced for her age group, I can pick out toys that will suit her ability,” says Tully. “One of her favourites is a game called ‘Let’s pretend’. It’s a doctor’s outfit game, where she pretends to be a doctor. I can see that playing with it alone enhances her imagination, but her social skills are enhanced too if she plays with other kids.”
There is no doubt that educational toys are great building blocks for developing your child’s brain, but educational consultant, Elazzar, reminds parents that free-playing is also very important, so that children don’t grow up to be robots. “While building blocks are proven to increase a child’s IQ they should not be played morning till night. We need a healthy balance. A child should play with toys, with its parents, play outside and take trips to the mall.”ELC stores are located in malls across Dubai. For further information log on to www.elc.co.uk
BEST EDUCATIONAL TOYS FOR GROWING KIDS
0-6 months
During the first weeks of birth, babies love looking at faces and bold patterns. Within two weeks, they turn towards noises, kick and swipe at objects. Good toys at this stage would be:
Toys with faces and striking patterns.
Toys that squeak or jingle when gently pushed.
Colourful and chewable toys that hook onto a cot.6-12 months
Now the infant normally has enough stability to sit without support. They soon begin to crawl and before you know they will be pulling themselves up to stand, often using some support. Toys at this stage need to be ones that they can touch, push, stack and pull along:
Blocks and bricks for stacking and knocking down.
Shape sorters, balls and toys with wheels.
Push-along toys and walkers.12 months-18 months
After the one-year landmark, the personality of toddler tends to be come stronger as they realise they can do things for themselves. Good toys to look for are:
Toddle truck- it encourages early steps and develops balance.
Learn to dress doll - develops fine motor skills and gain confidence.
Construction toys - Building skills.18 months-24 months
At around 18 months your toddler will be running, climbing with confidence and may also start to kick and throw a ball. Their artistic and imaginative streaks come out to the fore. Good toys for this phase are:
An easel, crayons, pencils and paper.
Toys that encourage role play and imaginative play.
A hammer bench of fine motor skills and co-ordination.
Musical toys to develop rhythm and fun.
ELC stores are located in malls across Dubai. For further information log on to www.elc.co.uk
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