| Christmas Morning | | | | motor skillso Directly stimulate right brain |
| Eyes wide and beaming with ear-to-ear smiles, a | | | | development of visual-spatial aspects and coloro |
| two year old boy and his five year old sister | | | | Aid in development of critical thinkingo Provide a |
| ripped open their Christmas presents one by one. | | | | channel for development of emotional intelligenceo |
| A battery-powered doll that "sings", a new bike | | | | Educate children in a variety of ways (which can |
| complete with flashers, siren and lights, a | | | | be positive or negative)o Entertain young, |
| battery-powered set of race cars that pits two | | | | developing minds |
| vehicles against each other around a closed track. | | | | In considering what toys to provide for their |
| Battery-powered lights flash, wheels whirl and | | | | children, parents should allow for a variety of toy |
| engines "roar" while an overhead banner counts | | | | types and kinds. Modern toys as well as traditional |
| laps with colored lights and finally, declares a | | | | toys need to be available to permit a full range of |
| winner. It was a scene of utter joy on the part | | | | emotional and intellectual growth. Which toys are |
| of the children and parents alike. But wait. I was | | | | really "best"? This actually depends on several |
| becoming a bit leery of the scene unfolding | | | | factors such as the culture, practicalities and the |
| before me. | | | | child himself or herself. |
| | | | Traditional vs. Modern Toys |
| Apparently getting my point, the father nodded | | | | Traditional toys are still available in quantity |
| sheepishly in the affirmative before laughing out | | | | because they not only provide vital outlets for |
| loud. How much value are such toys in the | | | | child development, but have survived the test of |
| education of children and in helping to mold young, | | | | time itself. Tops, Yo-yos, rag dolls, carved case |
| eager minds? | | | | and trucks, bicycles, skates, rubber and other balls |
| The two year old began to illustrate my point. He | | | | of every size and material, and the classic, age-old |
| didn't want to simply watch the red and black | | | | wagon are examples of traditional toys. |
| cars race around the tiered track. He wanted to | | | | "homemade" noise-makers are also included as |
| play with the cars. Snatching the red one up, he | | | | traditional toys. "Have you ever watched - and |
| rolled it back and forth on the floor in front of him | | | | listened to a tot bang on pots, pans, bottles, |
| ignoring the flashing lights and sound effects | | | | furniture and even the floor for, gasp!, hours on |
| behind him. | | | | end?" These need no batteries, sound effects or |
| "R-r-r-r-r-r", "R-r-r-r-r-r-r", "R-r-r-r-r-r-r", he trilled, | | | | automatically-provided motions to be highly |
| imitating a car engine. | | | | effective, absorbing to the maximum a child's full |
| "No, no son", father responded, showing the boy | | | | attention span. They work on some of the best |
| how to turn on the battery-powered car sounds. | | | | power imaginable - the child's own mind. In Mexico, |
| The child watched and listened, fascinated for a | | | | wooden traditional toys have been all the rage for |
| few moments. Then, he'd have none of it. | | | | decades. Better-made, less expensive and |
| "R-r-r-r-r-r", "R-r-r-r-r-r-r", "R-r-r-r-r-r-r", he | | | | longer-lasting than most "electronic-based" and |
| sounded again, the car back in his hand whirring | | | | battery-operated toys, they will likely continue to |
| across the cool tile floor. | | | | be so. |
| What is a Toy? | | | | This is not to say that modern toys have no |
| Webster's New World Dictionary defines "toy" as | | | | place. They do, and can be highly effective as well |
| "an article to play with; especially a plaything for | | | | - if judiciously selected based on the needs, |
| children." The key point I want to make is that | | | | temperament, personality, mental development |
| children play with or use the toy. They are not | | | | and desires of the child. Games, dolls (with "active" |
| passive observers. Toys should NOT be the kind | | | | elements) and scenarios like train or race car sets |
| that a child just sits and watches. They MUST be | | | | can be welcomed and effective developmental |
| "interactive" tools for children to have any true | | | | toys for children when combined with other types |
| development. | | | | which stimulate play, imagination and aid in aspects |
| What Toys Do | | | | of the child's mental development. What are the |
| Toys can provide numerous aspects and | | | | best toys for your children to play with? Know |
| functions. Some of the more important of these | | | | the personality, character and developmental |
| include:o Stimulate role play and modeling of | | | | needs of your child and you'll be much better |
| cultural behaviorso Help to develop critical | | | | prepared to make successful choices. |
| perceptive skillso Help to develop and fine tune | | | | |