| When one examines how the typical toddler passes | | | | are skills that should be worked on earlier on in a child's |
| his or her day, they discover that there are in fact | | | | life. On the other hand, if a four year old child is |
| very few productive hours. Between the 12 to 15 | | | | presented with a toy that teaches the alphabet, he has |
| hours of sleep and the hour or so spent eating, children | | | | an appropriate educational toy and stands to learn a |
| have precious little time to focus on their most | | | | lot from that toy, assuming he or his siblings don't break |
| important task, learning. That's why it's so important to | | | | it first. Although there are many toys out there that |
| make sure that children are able to spend as much of | | | | claim to be educational, some have a lot more to offer |
| their time learning as possible. Of course, toddlers do | | | | your children than others. One way to distinguish |
| most of their learning through play, so it is during this | | | | between the good and the ordinary, is by considering |
| time that parents and caregivers must make an effort | | | | how many different skills a child can learn from a given |
| to maximize the learning opportunities. The most | | | | toy, and whether the activity involved in that toy is one |
| effective method of doing this is by providing children | | | | that may very quickly bore the child. Remember, no |
| with educational toys and games. Although all toys | | | | matter how a educational a toy may be, if it's boring or |
| have some degree of educational value, they simply | | | | very breakable, the child is not likely to learn very |
| do not compare to what a high-quality learning toy has | | | | much. When purchasing a learning toy it is also |
| to offer. In fact, some educational toys are so useful, | | | | important to consider if it is manufactured by a |
| they can help children learn skills that are typically | | | | reputable brand such as Anatex, Kidkraft or |
| learned at much later stages of development. Some | | | | Guidecraft and if it is being sold by a real specialty |
| bath toys for instance, can help toddlers learn how to | | | | educational toy store. Such companies tend to provide |
| count and sort colors and shapes many months | | | | you with the best learning toys for your money. One |
| before they are generally expected to learn these | | | | thing that is always important to keep in mind when |
| skills. The question is then, how does one differentiate | | | | shopping for a toy is the reason you are making that |
| between an ordinary toy and a high quality educational | | | | purchase. Although finding the best toy for that little |
| toy? The first thing to consider is what tasks are | | | | child in your life may require a little more time and |
| performed as a child plays with a given toy. If these | | | | thought than your typical purchase, the reward is |
| tasks are ones that a child is not expected to have | | | | immeasurable. |
| mastered, you're off to a good start. To illustrate, a | | | | Y Marcus writes for ToyProdigy.com, and online store |
| remote control car that is intended for children | | | | specializing in toddler educational toys, pretend play |
| between the ages of 4-6 may allow for the | | | | toys and waiting room toys, as well as dollhouses and |
| development of various skills such as manual dexterity | | | | children's table and chair sets. |
| and visual tracking. The problem however, is that these | | | | |