Why The Buzz Around Education Toys

Kids

oi-Staff

By Richa Dikshit

Thursday, June 27, 2013, 11:40 [IST]

If you're a young parent, you've probably already been advised to "buy only education toys".

Educational toys are supposed to enlighten, but they can sure make a parent feel dumb. The whole category is complicated. Traditional toys, like Barbie dolls are easy by comparison. With them, the only thing you need to worry about is, "Is it fun?" When it comes to educational toys, the bar is raised: Does it teach a skill?

Is it geared to my child's age? Will it promote a love of learning? Will it give my child an edge in school? Will it give me peace of mind that I've put my child's playtime to constructive use?

There are many questions and very few answers. Toy brands add to the confusion with their marketing statements. Fisher Price toys promises "intrinsic play value". Now go figure!

How did buying teaching toys get this hard?

There has been an overall societal evolution. No longer is childhood simply a waiting period for adult life. In many ways, these early years are preparation for the challenges that lie ahead. Parents today, well-versed in just how challenging life can be, are eager to give their children every preparation, every advantage, every tool for future success.

For many parents, this means seeing that their kids get the very most out of their educational opportunities, supplemented by efforts at home. That has turned up the heat on educational toys. Parents who are eager to see that their children are the next generation of best-educated, best-prepared, most successful adults warm quickly to the notion that educational toys can help make that happen.

Think about Skills

Another way of thinking about toys, is to evaluate the skills associated with the particular toy. Does it impart physical activity, or cognitive development. The term "educational" is an over simplification. Doll play can be important too, as it imparts social and emotional development to both girls and boys. LEGO toys have built a reputation as a construction toy company.
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You can be the educational toy!

An important intellectual milestone in a young baby's life is the learning of object permanence - the concept that something still exists even if it is out of view. That means games like peekaboo are highly educational. Use your imagination: play with your hands, baby's favorite blanket or toy, or a chair or curtain. Although it may seem that you're just sharing a moment of giggles with your little one, in fact you're engaging in a key educational experience.

About the author

Richa Dikshit is the Founder of ToyTasting. Formerly an investment banker with Merrill Lynch, Richa is based out of Mumbai, India - where she stays with her two daughters and husband.