Some people think of toys as simple objects created to keep children entertained. What these individuals don’t know is that toys provide much greater value to children than just that. Some toys, such as educational toys, are powerful tools that help children to learn about themselves, their environment, and to develop the skills that they need in life. It is through play that children develop gross and motor skills, learn how to enhance their imagination, how to solve problems, how to share and get along with others.
As a parent, it is your job to help your child develop these skills. This can be done through observance, interaction and imagination. It is also beneficial to provide your child with age-appropriate educational toys. An educational toy is any toy that provides your little one with an opportunity to learn – it effectively stimulates learning. It can teach a child about a particular thing or it can help develop a particular skill. And most importantly, it provides fun. There are many benefits to playing with an educational toy. Here are just some of them.
Help Develop Senses
Educational toys are designed to target different senses of the body. Hearing, sight, and touch are the most common senses that are further developed with the most basic educational toys. Toys that light up, produce noise and other things make kids aware of their different senses. The more children are exposed to these, the more their senses will develop.
Encourage Curiosity and Exploration
From the moment a child is born, there is already a sense of curiosity forming. Babies grab, touch and feel things before their sight fully develops – this is their way to understand their surroundings. Activity mats are an example of an educational toy that creates a safe and clean spot for infants to explore.
Help Develop Better Problem Solving Skills
One of the greatest things about educational toys is the way they challenge a child’s mind. With these toys, children are often faced with a series of problems like puzzles and matching games that encourage them to think. As they begin to learn how to successfully solve and overcome the challenges these toys present, they learn more lessons.
Help Increase IQ
Different toys teach children different lessons, but most educational toys are created to increase motor skills, memorization, literacy, quick identification, and even hand-eye coordination. When children are encouraged to develop these things during their early stages of mental growth, they grow up smarter. Because toys make learning fun, children are encouraged to learn as much as they can and retain many of those lessons.