Parents are faced with such abundant obstacles when beginning the journey of raising a child. In the beginning, the mother carries the burden, making sure to eat the right foods, drinking enough water, taking her vitamins, and staying away from those things that can cause a threat to the unborn child. After the baby is born, the burden hopefully becomes a shared duty and now it is making sure the baby is safe in the home, feed and bathed.
As babies grow, toys become an integral part of their daily life. The types of toys parents have to choose from today are endless, and making the right choice can be confusing. So many toys on the market today claim to be educational…which ones do we choose? Do we choose the ones that light up and sing songs? Do we choose the ones that teach colors and letters and numbers and shapes? Or, wait….maybe that is our job!
Toys are so very important to children and their development, but equally important to a child’s development is the emotional bonds they form in their early years. The most important relationship children form is the one that children have with their parents. When looking for toys for children to play with, it is important to remember that while the toy is important, it is also important that a parent is part of the package. Take the opportunity when it arises to play with your child, it will be good for both of you!
Children learn valuable skills through play and therefore toys should be chosen carefully. Children need toys that encourage them to solve problems, toys that teach sorting and shape recognition, cause and effect, textures, and inspire imagination. Electronic toys are fun and have their place, but just remember your child’s teacher is not going to light up and sing the lessons. Make sure your child has a balanced toy selection and a balanced expectation for learning.
