Top Toy Choices for Wee Ones

Many toys are good for kids and the kids don’t even know it.

"Toys definitely have a place in helping kids develop," said Dr. Sherry Vinson, assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. "The right choice of toys can further important cognitive, physical and social skills."

Toys don’t have to be labeled "educational" to be valuable. The key to a toy’s value in a child’s development is interaction, she said.

Toys that play simple rhyming songs, encouraging children to repeat the verse, as well as electronic games that acknowledge a correct answer, are examples of toys that can help development.

But, valuable playtime can be much simpler.

"Having a parent read old-fashioned nursery rhymes with a child, even a small baby, helps develop language skills," said Dr. Vinson. "What’s important is the amount of interactive time the parent spends with the child."

Some toys offer some unexpected benefits. For instance, modeling clay or Playdoh can help a restless child concentrate.

"For the child who’s anxious or tends to fidget, having something to occupy the hands, like modeling clay, can increase the ability to listen," she said.

Dr. Vinson offers these suggestions:

• Regardless of the child’s mental abilities, remember that the recommended ages on toys are designed for safety reasons. A child may be able to master a toy at a higher age level, but still put small parts in his or her mouth.
• Avoid the temptation to use passive toys or videos to keep a child busy. If you’re not able to sit down with the child, offer a toy that is interactive.
• Building sets are a good choice to enhance creativity, fine motor skills and visual perception.
• Games that require physical agility, like Twister, can also advance teamwork, visual and motor skills.

"The most important thing is to use common sense when shopping for toys," said Dr. Vinson. "Look at a toy closely and decide if it offers something that will help your child."

---

©2006 Texas Medical Center

---

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/12_15_01/page_10.html