Toys helps to learn in a funny way - Please share your ideas

Me and my son have lots of fun with cards and board games. We buy him cards that have pictures of animals and has to find mother and baby of the same kind, or things in the same colour or shape or starting with the same letter. We have lots of them and he loves them now my husband has joined in in the game and we have lots of fun and is our family time and my son learns a lot. With board games you might think they dont learn anything but they learn sharing, waiting for their turns, rulls and all that.

I am not a parent...... but, I can give certain suggestion for the parents who are willing to buy toys for their children.......you can buy the toys that I had mentioned bleow, this will really help your children to gain more knowledge...... 1. Magic Cube. 2. Golf Puzzle. 3. 7 Piece Cube. 4. Bar Ruler. 5. Square Puzzle. 6. Intelligence Maze

Puzzles are something I've got for both my kids. Besides that, I also look for their tastes. My older son always wanted blocks and shapes to play with. He likes things that makes his brains work. My second son is a typical boy and loves cars, bats and balls. So, he's got a set of those. I always think of how my kids can learn or develop their skills with their toys. Maybe that's because I'm a kindergarten teacher and that makes me look at things that way. And I don't leave my kids with their toys to entertain them all the time (sometimes I do)....most of the times...I spend time with them and see how they use the toys to understand how their mind works.

Children learn faster than adults because their brain is fresh and whatever they see in the early ages indelibly leaves an imprint on the brain.In the emotional develpment of the child constructive activities play a crucial role.Hence it is the duty of the parents and teachers to engage the children in activity oriented programmes.To implement this toys find an important place in a child's life.We can understand the acumen of a child from the way in which he uses a toy although there will be a greater degree of similarities in using toys by almost all children.For example I have noticed the children in a baby creche play with the toys.There will be several toys like balls,puppets,dolls,cars,bulding blocks etc. Children with a greater affinity to toy automotives is generally seen to be associated with automotives when they are grown up.Similarly children fond of building blocks might become an engineer,some studies say.Atleast we are aiding to augment his talents.The visual media which is more powerful in helping the learning process even applies to the adult people then needless to say about the little innocent children.

I always give safe toys to my kids like those without any sharp or pointed things and those which are tested to have no harmful lead content. I also choose educational toys for them so that they will learn while playing. I also love giving them musical instrument toys to encourage their love for music at early age. I love music so I want them to develop passion for music as well through the toys I'm giving to them.

I try and introduce my child to new toys every now and then. More often I stress on the hand-eye coordination toys. They help the child develop these senses better. Blocks are also very good

Toys have come a very long way since I was a child and I am very impressed with the options available now across all age groups. As far as I am concerned, any toy that manages to effectively combine a level of fun with challenges that stimulate a child mentally is an ideal choice. For example, toys that will only play music if a ball is dropped into a certain hole, or requires button combinations to be pressed or things to be put together in a certain way for things to work. The more stimulation a child gets mentally and physically from a toy, the more beneficial.

Playdough and Legos seem to be a good learning tool and a favorite. I never did have Legos as a kis though, but my daughter did.

The choice of toys for the kids will depend upon their age. If they are 2-3 years old they should be offered soft toys and the Toys which they could easily handle. Metal toys to very young kids can be harmful for them. As they grow older, they could be offered some games e.g. some puzzle games or games of blocks which they could understand easily and could feel like engaging themselves in it. I have experienced that kids get fed up with toys soon and they start demanding new toys and if their demands are not fulfilled, they simply destroy the toys to express their anger.

While I love the array of toys they have and choose ones that encourage development and imagination - with the minimum of bells and whistles so he can figure out things, use his imagination - I believe its not otys but interaction/participation of parents that are most important. There were many genuises, artists and other great contributers to society born in times when toys were few or they were too poor to have them...and al the electronic toys they have nowadays were nonexistant once upon a time. I think we need to remember that encouraging imagination and using your mind doesn't take a lot of toys or expensive toys. I encourage things like Melissa and Doug toys. For those reading this discussion who don't have a lot of money to spend on toys - don't feel discouraged - or that you're failing because you're working hard to put food on the table and can't afford a lot of toys or a selection of toys despite the asserttion of having such an important role. Providing a well balanced diet and excercise will ensure that your child's mind and body develops as it should. Proper food and excercise prepares a child for learning each day. And remember, engage your child everyday in activities that develop their mind, pretend games, going outdoors and exploring, going to the store and other public places and visiting with other children. If you can't afford toys, you can make them as well. And most importantly -READ to your child everyday - at least once a day as this is proven to help children develop iq's and learn more efficiently later in life. Turn off the tv, get off the computer and play with your child - YOU are the most instrumental - have the most impact on a child's development not toys with all the bells and wistles. This is my view, my ideas and my suggestions.

Anything they can look at, use there hands with and basically explore and learn about

Hi there, When children extend their knowledge and play experiences, they move into "Associative Play".In Stage when kids learn to play, Parents should give some special attention in watching on which toys, the kids are playing. In this stage, three and four year old children begin playing together but it is a loosely organized fashion. For example, if each child has a farm toy, they may talk about their tractor, but they will each run their own farm.If he is playing with toys like stethoscope, who knews he could become a doctor in future. The more mature child soon emerges as the leader or organizer in this stage of play. This stage is so important for children as well as parents. Here is where the children learn to get along with each other and parents can help by guiding the play, but not controlling it. Creative play with toys that do not limit children's imagination. Wooden toys are safe too.. Right? Have a nice time!

As a father, i used to buy lots of puzzle toys(the one which will be in pieces and the kid has to attach different pieces and form a picture).This toys really improves the concentration among the children. I also get him "You know what" CD's which is a fun to watch and learn. Also subscribe to TATA SKY and you will get Active Wiz Kids Package which is really good.

Hi Sreekala, My son is going to be three years old in another three months. He is a very active boy and next year I will send him to nursery. My son has alot of toys, from robots,cars,puzzles,bicycles,storybooks,soft toys(barney and friends) and alot more to mention. It is good to buy some educational toys for our kids,it really do helps to stimulate their brains and helps up in their development. Let's take an example : a bicycle. When the first time my mother-in-law bought my son a bicycle, he showed no interest at all, he did not even know how to ride a bicycle.He seem scared to give it a try. It takes time for me to teach and guide him and explaining to him how fun it will be if he can ride a bicycle. In the next few weeks, he can started moving his bicycle around using his legs.It shows a positive effect and he was so curious and wanted to explore more from the bicycle. At last, for the next few months, he learnt the skill on how to ride a bicycle and now he can ride the bicycle very fast,sometimes he can even make some funny actions while riding on his bicycle. Sametime, he learn new things and also cycling is part of his daily exercise. Before I buy any toys for my son, I will consider carefully whether it is worhty to spend that kind of money or not. I don't want to waste my money on some unuseful toys.

yes they learn something. I have seen my niece very interested in the puzzles. it is good for brain development. i ahve seen how 8 month old nephew has learned to call with a plastic phone.

As a parent & having been a child myself, I have to say that there are very few toys out there that are really worthy as far as a child's "needs". As a kid, most of the toys that I got...i got bored with fairly quickly. I'm older and so back in the day, we did not have all the technology to want for that kids now have. I think the best gifts that I got really early on were a radio and a record player. Music was a big thing in my home and so was reading...loved books. We were very creative back then as we did not have a lot of things to entertain us....we had to entertain ourselves. I raised my 4 children alone and times were tough. We did not have the money for many luxurys that many families take for granted. For a good part of their upbringing we did not have tv or even a vehicle...or a phone. At the time I felt horrible as a parent that I could not provide these things but looking back, I seriously think that the lacks we had are exactly what churned their creativity. They are grown now and none watches tv often or plays video games etc. Even my 14 year old rarely turns on her tv and tho she has a play station that her dad got her...she rarely uses it. So to answer your question, I really think the best gift you can give your children is fewer toys. Give them music, books,& craft items to stimulate their imagination. teach them to sew, macrame & cook.

Here is an article with some suggestions. http://www.helium.com/items/286131-recommended-educational-toys-for-toddlers The best toys are the ones that allow your child to explore, be creative, and use them in a variety of ways.

When ever I went to the market if I saw any toy that was suitable for my kids I would buy them. Most of the toys would be kind of educations where they either learnt to count or the alphabets or colours. Actually the kind of toys for a kid differs according to their likes and we should have something that will grab thier attention for some time. I only had a lot of dolls when I was a kid.

hi sree, i dont have children, but when my sister was taking montessorie, they stressed on toys that can help with mental development of the children ... this can actually help he kids to develope their skilss in various aspects ... cheers