Toddler Series - Educational Toys

When it comes to kids toys these days sky's the limit. There are innumerable variety of toys in almost every price range. Some might be worth it and some just a waste of space and money. Specially if we are buying toys for toddlers we have to think twice because as quickly as they get attracted to something, even more quickly they get bored of it. So we don't have to buy everything they ask for.

There are different types of toys that we should encourage toddlers to play with which will help them grow stronger and boost their intelligence. Today we are sharing a few ideas and toys that might help you keep your toddler occupied and learn new things.

Stacking toys: Stacking cups or rings are the best to improve your little one’s motor skills. It also helps in developing your kid’s hand-eye coordination. Initially they might struggle (you have to keep doing it with them) but soon you will be surprised to see how fast they learn. 

How they benefit: It is a great way for kids to learn colors and sizes.

Shape sorter: These come in different types these days like a house or cube etc, but whichever it is, it sure encourages toddlers to discover which shape fits the correct hole. You can also teach colors, shapes and to count as you put them back and thus teach them numbers.
How they benefit: It is a great problem solving toy and also helps in hand-eye coordination, balance and physical agility.

Puzzles: There are lots of puzzles for everyone from kids to adults. When choosing puzzles for toddlers, specially if you are just introducing it to them choose the ones that are big chunks and have pegs so that it's easy for the little hands to hold and put it back. 

Don't expect your child to do it immediately, show them how to do it and give them the chance to explore. They will soon master the skill. Buy puzzles depending on the child's interests to get them involved. If they like cars or numbers or birds etc., start with simple ones and progress to more challenging puzzles as they learn. 
How they benefit: Again this improves logical thinking and hand-eye coordination.

Coloring and drawing:  From a very young age (around 10 months), children start showing interest in pens and pencils. We should encourage children to draw and scribble on papers with crayons. 
How they benefit: Hand-eye coordination is very important in writing. Holding crayons or pens and scribbling helps them develop their imagination and creativity. This also improves their fine motor skills.

Books: Books play an important part in young children to learn and identify new objects everyday and relate to it later when they see it. For example, you could read and show them a book with pictures and sound of a cow and later when they see a real cow they will identify it. Also books with Pop ups or buttons are a great way to teach children cause and effect - if u press this button the song or music plays. Read a lot of books to your children even when they are babies, they will surely love it.
How they benefit: It builds their vocabulary, memory and listening skills.

The list goes on... a few more are wooden blocks, Legos, Play Doh, balls etc. These are just a few basic ideas about getting started. Once you discover your kid's interest you will come up with your own ideas to indulge them .

Apart from teaching the kids to play with toys it is also necessary to inculcate in them

• the habit of sharing their things or toys with other kids their own age and
• the habit of stacking their toys back into their toy boxes or cupboards

This will teach the kids social and organisation skills at a very young age.

It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on toys to keep your children occupied and happy, you can make your own toy,even  a wooden spoon and a plastic bowl from your kitchen  will make your kid happy but their favorite toy will always be YOU.  No matter what you give them they will always need you by their side to teach them and guide them not only when they are toddlers but throughout their life. So what are you waiting for!! Get those toys out and create some beautiful memories ...

Happy Mentoring parents!!!!