Ever wondered what makes certain toys so appealing to little kids, while others just gather dust? With Christmas a week away, most of you who celebrate the winter holiday have already finished your shopping - but for those like me, who procrastinated until the last possible moment, here are some toy-buying tips to ensure that your gift to little Johnny isn’t tossed aside at first glance:
Don’t be so hasty to follow trends. Your money might be better spent on a less well-known but more engaging toy.
Take a child’s specific interests into account. Even toddlers have preferences - some are more interested in coloring than in dolls, and some prefer cars over art supplies. If you’re buying for a child you don’t see often, ask her caregiver what she likes.
Make your gift age-appropriate. “It’s important to look for toys that allow for creativity, imagination, manipulation, and change. If a toy is static and doesn’t promote those concepts, it will probably end up in the corner,” Roger Ideishi, professor of occupational therapy at the University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, said in a prepared statement. The best toy is right at or just above the child’s abilities, so that it’s challenging but not completely beyond him.
Consider gifts that promote exercise, like bicycle gear or a soccer ball.
Relationship-promoting toys (such as family-friendly board games) are also sound options.
Posted by Sunshine.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:41 am
These are great tips! I particularly like this one:
“The best toy is right at or just above the child’s abilities, so that it’s challenging but not completely beyond him.”
I think that’s a good measure for all sorts of parenting areas, such as giving chores, choosing books, or even just talking to kids. I’ve noticed that the boys stay more engaged when things aren’t dumbed down for them. But I keep needing a reminder of that, so thanks!