Pediatrician’s top 5 reasons your kids need educational toys!

Kids' toys are meant to help them learn and grow into little people with understanding and curiosity, but sometimes it's hard for parents or guardians to find the right ones. You could spend hours looking for a toy that will give your kid a head start, but there is no one holy grail of educational toys out there.

But if you want something more specific than a traditional toy, here are five reasons why educational toys can be really worth it:

 

1. Encourage physical play

 

 

This is the most obvious benefit of educational toys. Playing with blocks, for example, will help your child develop the dexterity in their hands they need for things like holding a pencil or doing up buttons when they get older. It’s also a great way to keep children away from screen time and encourage them to be more active.

With physical play, kids also develop fine motor skills. Fine motor skills relate to hand-eye coordination and they need them for lots of things in life, so it's never too early to start building up your child's fine motor skills.

Take a look at how this Number and Alphabet Wooden Montessori Fishing Toy encourages physical play while kids learn to identify numbers and alphabets.

"My two-year-old loves this and has played with it everyday. I love that we can use it to learn colors, numbers and shapes. It’s also great for hand eye coordination. Excellent all in one toy. Colors are bright and puzzle pieces are wooden, so very sturdy. It's a great learning tool." - Hannah (New York)

 

 

2. Encourage creativity by promoting imagination

 

 

Kids' toys are about letting children use their imaginations while exploring different characters or worlds that might not exist in reality. If you want your kid to grow into an adult with a creative mind, this is important because it encourages them to think laterally when solving problems, which will play a big part in their future work ethic.

Many people today struggle with finding the bulk of imaginative jobs that there were before technology, but kids' toys can help turn even the most negative naysayers into dreamers with a positive attitude towards the future.

This Little Lens Kids Digital Camera develops natural creativity as it gives kids the chance to explore and express themselves through taking photos and videos—without resorting to using their parents’ phones.

"I bought one each for both my kids so they wouldn't fight over it! It works very well and the pictures they take are very sweet, plus I love that it gets them to engage with their surroundings rather that want to play games on the mobile phone." - Donna (Camberra)

 

 

3. Improve memory skills

 

 

Playing memory games develops the mind's natural ability to memorize patterns and objects. These are important skills that can transfer to academic learning later on in life, including math problems and foreign language vocabulary practice.

Numbers and knowing how to count can sometimes be hard to remember, but it can be easier for the child with toys like the Balance Math Game with Puppy Figurines. It’s an interactive game for learning the basics of counting and simple addition and subtraction. It’s great for kids who are struggling with focusing.

"I bought this as a gift for each set of my 2-4 year old grandchildren. They all love playing with it, and their moms love that the kids are learning in the process. My one daughter-in-law commented that she had been struggling to get her just turned 3-year-old to practice his numbers, saying he is resistant to any 'teaching' activities, but he loved playing the monkey balance game, so she was able to 'sneak' teaching him. WIN! WIN!" - Jennifer (Amsterdam)

 

 

4. Encourage social play with other children

 

 

It is a wonderful tool for developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and spatial reasoning. But did you know that chess is also great for improving children's academic performance? Studies have shown that kids who play chess regularly perform better in math, reading, and science.

This Educational Wooden Cartoon Chess Set is specifically designed for children, with colorful, child-friendly pieces that are easy to grip and move. The board is also kid-friendly, with clear markings that make it easy to understand the rules and strategy of the game.

 

"If you're looking for a sturdy and practical chessboard, this is it. It is one of the best ones I've ever purchased. By far!"- Susan (Chicago)

 

 

5. Encourage learning skills early on

 

 

Although all educational toys have these advantages, each toy is unique in its own right so it's important to find out what your child likes before making the final purchase decision.

If your child loves camping with you, he might love this Magic Little Bee Intercom Walkie Talk Kids Toy as he goes into exploration with you and other kids. Others use this toy to communicate with their children at home.

Anna says, “I get to know exactly where my daughter is in this big house thanks to this toy.” 

Different toys have different benefits

Not only will educational toys help your kid learn specific topics, but they also encourage exploration and discovery that helps kids gain learning skills early on, so if you want your child to be above average (and who doesn't?), buying an educational toy now could be really worth it for you or them later down the road!

There’s a way to teach responsibility in your child during his formative years. A toy like My Portable Fun Activity Learning Montessori Book teaches basic skills such as tying a shoe or using a zipper.

"The activities in this book are a perfect blend. They are Engaging and pleasantly challenging to ensure that kids see the value in each success achieved. This book, since I bought it, always keeps my boy active and engaged. A great book, and I perfectly recommend it." - Betty (Alberta)