As a busy Mom of two children on e of the most challenging things for me is buying educational toys for my children. I think that I can get overwhelmed with the different options of toys that are available for children. However, I have a check list of five major tips that are beneficial when purchasing a child’s to: child’s age, safety of the toys, child’s development, safety, cost, reliability, style/look.
In a addition to my top five mommy tips. I always read labels to make sure a toy is appropriate for child’s age, and if the batteries are included or not included before I take the toy home, it is best to use your own judgement on what your child enjoys if your child is attracted to toys that make animal sounds bright lights, music. Age levels for toys are determined by safety factors, not intelligence or maturity.
Age Ranges
- 0-1: Children of this age enjoy rattles, other toys that make sounds, mobiles, soft toys, teething toys
- 1-2: Children of this age prefer puzzles blocks, shape sorters, stacker’s, push toys,
- 2-3: Children of this age should be engaged in numbers, matching games, games that help with memory skills.
- 4-5: Children prefer imaginative play toys, house and kitchen plat, math and counting, collections and keepsakes, arts and crafts kits, dress up and role play.
- 6-7: Children that are six years of age have longer attention spans and prefer structured activities. They are learning to read aloud with more fluency, accuracy, and understanding. Toys that are geared towards creative arts, language, arts, mathematics, and science are encouraged at this age
- 8-10: Children of this age age group enjoy the quality of information, education, and entertainment. At this age young learners are interested in everyday life discoveries, develop independent thinking, and increase concentration and self confidence
- 10-12: Children of this age are creative and imaginative and are discovering who they are and what hey think is cool. Parents should choose games and activities that encourage physical activities and develop a positive attitude.
Top 5 Mommy Buying Tips
- Child’s Development: I am an advocate of buying toys that help my children with their motor skills, hand and eye coordination, crawling, walking, vocabulary, and learning early stages of math and reading. Recently, I purchased a MobiGo for my five year old son. I chose the MobiGo based on the fact that it would act as a prerequisite before he is old enough for a Tablet or other device. The MobiGo is for ages 3-8, a touch screen technology as they learn to look, listen, and touch. Children ages 3-8 interact with their favorite characters. Also, they can download additional games and content from the Learning Lodge.
- Cost: The cost of a child’s toy is second on my list. The cost of a toy can range from one dollar to sixty to a hundred dollars, depending on the quality of the toy. I do not believe in paying high prices for my children’s toys. Although, I do believe in buying toys that are high in quality and will last across the life span of my child. I am attracted to toys that g=have an age limit as my child grows, for example 6-9 months, 3-8 years, 4+, encourage me to become more flexible on the price of the toy.
- Safety: The third tip on my list when looking for toys for my children are the safety of the toys. If the toys are painted, I check for access lead ot chipped paint from the toy. I do not buy toys with small pieces that could go into my child’s mouth, or toys that have sharp edges or encourage violence at an early age. I steer away from toys that are not that safe to have in my home.
- Reliability: The fourth important tip on my list is reliability of the toy. I do not enjoy buying anything that can not last over time. The reliability of a toy is very important, if I buy the toy from Family Dollar or Toys R Us the toy should be able to withstand a few years of play.
- Style/Look: The fifth and final tip that I look for in a toy is a the style and look of the toy. I would like for the toy to bre attractive when I buy it for my children. I enjoy toys that have bright colors, cartoon character, sometimes toys that have ethnic characters, promote careers for my children in the future. Currently, one of my favorite characters for my children is Doc McStuffins. I really enjoy her message for young African American little girls and boys.
Nice post Toiia. I can’t help but smile at the second tip, ‘cost’. That’s so real. I remember purchasing some expensive toys for my kids one Christmas holiday and by the end of the day they were more interested in playing with the wrapping paper and gift boxes than the gifts themselves. I learned to keep it simple, creative and cost effective after that. One of the most effective and fascinating gift I got over and over again for my kids was a ball. No batteries needed, it comes in different sizes, colors, and texture and provides hours of fun both indoors and out-doors. I got a few things broken though and out came the house rule, “no playing ball in the house.”