Learning Toys

Learning toys are the way in which kids learn about the world around them. From stacking a toy to hearing a song, children are constantly hands-on learning the concepts of language, shapes, colours and more through play.  I don’t specifically go shopping for learning toys however if an educational toy happens to have the brand, quality, and activity that I’m looking for…yes, I’d choose that.  Here are 5 Great Learning Toys which you might want to add to your lil’ one’s holiday list…

Learning Toys

• Smart Phone (press buttons = learning numbers)
• Laugh & Learn™ Dance & Play Puppy (a great way to learn ABCs)
• Brilliant Basics™ Rock-a-Stack® (shape and colouring sorting)
• Laugh & Learn™ Click ‘n Learn Remote (available in FRENCH!)
• Brilliant Basics™ Baby’s First Blocks (more shape and colour sorting)

The above toys are all part of the Fisher-Price Educational Toys and Software line.

Think about the ways in which your child plays with these sort of learning toys. They learn action and reaction. They learn language (ABCs for example). They learn numbers, opposites, letters and greetings. They learn about the world around them n’est pas?

As a parent raising bilingual children, I have to point out that learning toys like the Laugh & Learn™ Click ‘n Learn Remote are a great way for toddlers to practice, experience, and play in French.

When you consider What Makes A Good Toy? you have to think about:

• Brand (do you trust it?)
• Quality (will it last?)
• Entertainment (will my child love this?
• Price point (yes, $ does matter)

Learning toys often hit each of these targets simply because a lot of research has gone into their production.

You, as a parent, also impact making a toy good by engaging your baby in play.

• Play with your child (pushing buttons, singing songs, sorting shapes)
• Count as you press numbers or move objects
• Say colours aloud “Red square” “yellow circle”
• Introduce opposite words like “Up & Down”
• Make play time fun

Parent Club Play Tip

One of my toddler’s favourite games is for me to take toy pieces (say the rings from the Brilliant Basics™ Rock-a-Stack®) and hide them while my son closes his eyes. Sheer giggles. every. time.  I see him investigating the world around him while he lifts pillows and looks underneath chairs for the rings. He uses his language “Found one!” and tries a bit of critical thinking “Where dat red one?”

How does your child learn through play?

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Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.