It’s that time of year again, and many parents will soon find themselves in the same dilemma-do they buy their children the most popular toys or the toys that can help their children learn?  Well-selected toys nurture a child’s ideas and imagination, while growing with a child’s changing interests.  Sylvan Learning offers parent the following suggestions to keep in mind when shopping for toys that are fun and educational.

First keep in mind your child’s interests and learning style.  Visual Learners, will respond best to toys that require a visual response, colorful, and appealing to the eye.  Auditory learners learn best from hearing, so toys that talk or combine visual with sound will often be their favorite and of course tactile learners want toys they can get their hands into.

Now let’s look at some toys. 

1. Building toys: Building toys such as Legos, Bionicle, Bob The Builder and even Lincoln Logs are popular year after year.  These toys can help develop reasoning skills necessary for mathematics
2. Video Games:   Sony and Nintendo, have introduced new game systems for this year.  They are hot gifts!  While video games are often not thought of as educational, they do help build reasoning skills and logic as children navigate the different levels of each game.
3. Board Games:  Games can be a fun way to encourage math discovery in children.  In fact many popular board games, such as Monopoly, reinforce basic math skills.  Even games like Connect Four and Yahtzee help with problem solving skills and computational speed and accuracy.
4. Project-based toys: Project-based toys such as model airplanes, cars and rockets are good for older children.  They help children build motor skills and teach them how to follow directions as well.  Science Kits, chemistry sets and ant farms also enhance reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. 
5. Educational Toys:  Educational toys often combine computer, video, or basic technology such as the traditional Easy Bake Oven which can teach a child to read and follow instructions and introduces culinary skills. The Fly made by Leap Frog is a very versatile learning tool as are many of the educational toys made by V-Tech, Leap Frog- Fischer Price and many others.
6. Parental Involvement:  None of the games and toys we have discussed work well in teaching your child unless you are actively involved and fully engaged in using the toy as a tool to help your child learn.  So be sure to be involved this Christmas Season.

For more information contact Jack Stanley
Sylvan Learning Center in Columbia, MO 573-875-2990, or check out Educate.com.