Is it possible to find a toy that will give your child hours of fun and as well as valuable learning experiences?

The answer is a certain yes…but it is worth remembering that educational toys aren’t all about ABC and 123.

Teachers and children’s health specialists believe that toys that encourage the development of social and emotional maturity as well as physical and language skills are among the most valuable gifts you can give to a child under the age of seven.

So before you rush to the mall and spend hours searching for that elusive educational toy, consider your child’s developmental age.

With a bit of thought and planning, it is possible to find the perfect gift for a child you love this Christmas.

Babies

Littlies aged between three and twelve months need toys that are safe and stimulating.

To develop your little one’s visual perception, look for toys that have bright and contrasting colours, unusual textures and interesting sounds.

Toys that make a noise or light up in response to the baby’s actions are a great choice. They engage a child’s attention and teach them about cause and effect.

Because they are all about actions and reactions, these kinds of toys offer lovely opportunities for adults to play and bond with young babies.

Toddlers

Youngsters aged between 18 months and three years are ready to get active and to learn about the world around them.

Look for lively toys that will develop your child’s language and motor skills.

Outdoor toys like balls, tricycles, scooters and mini sport sets are great for your child’s co-ordination and confidence, while indoor toys like puzzles, blocks, dolls and musical instruments will promote communication and imaginative skills.

When choosing educational toys for children aged three and four, it’s important to remember that young toddlers often prefer to play alongside other children rather than with them.

This is called ‘parallel play’ and is completely age appropriate.

It’s unlikely that children in this age group will want, or be emotionally mature enough, to share a precious new toy, so if you are buying for siblings, make sure each child receives a toy of their own.

Pre-schoolers

Children aged between three and five are consolidating their social and cooperative skills as well as their thinking and learning capacity.

Toys that encourage your child to share with other children are important for this age group. Simple board games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders and dominoes will develop your child’s understanding of turn taking while also introducing early literacy and numeracy.

Activities that promote role playing make wonderful gifts for children in this age group. Imaginative play using dolls houses, car garages, train sets and dress ups develop children’s social and language skills and are good educational choices.

The development of fine motor skills is also a priority for pre-schoolers and valuable learning experiences can be had when you choose a toy that will expose children to art, craft and construction.

In order to learn to write properly at school, kids need to develop strength in their hands and also determine which side, left or right, will be dominant.

Old favourite like Lego and Meccano are terrific for this purpose, as are pencils, textas, scissors and Play Doh. Even the most reluctant young artists can be coaxed to enjoy colouring books containing their favourite characters and these simple gifts are a great way to engage children in fine motor skill development.

Primary schoolers

Kids aged between six and ten have a vast range of interests, and as their literacy develops, the scope for activities that encourage them to read widens.

A child’s interests will often determine the choices adults make for them, but one can rarely go wrong with activities that encourage children’s creativity.

Models, jewellery making kits, science experiments and ever popular dinosaur sets are usually just as well received as the latest super hero or fashion doll and an added benefit is that children will be consolidating their reading and comprehension as they follow the instructions on the pack.

While it’s easy to buy an electronic toy that will no doubt keep your child quiet, kids need active, imaginative activities that help their minds and bodies to grow.

This Christmas, go for a toy that will teach your child something. When learning is cleverly disguised as fun, everyone is a winner.

Sonja Walker 2009

This article was written by Sonja Walker, a qualified teacher and busy mum. Sonja leads a team of highly experienced, specialist teachers and children’s health professionals at Kids First Children’s Services a unique integrated children’s education and health centre in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Kids First offers a variety of programs for children aged 3 to 15, including its ‘Confident Little Kids’ program for pre-schoolers and after school skills and tuition programs for primary and high school students. Kids First Children’s Services also offers professional Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietary advice, Parenting Support and Counselling at its Brookvale centre.

Contact Kids First Children’s Services on 9938 5419 or visit www.kids-first.com.au