Should toddlers get play toys or educational toys for the holidays?

Education

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by Stacy Cottrell

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There are so many angles to consider when picking out the proper toy for your child. The first thought in any parents mind is can they swallow this, but after you surpass your worry instinct your choice becomes clear. I believe any and every toy can be educational in some way. When you walk into a toy store for the first time take a deep breathe because their are aisles and aisles of possibilities. The key thing to remember is to chose something practical. Something easy to take with you in the car, or something that you in fact will have to carry around the play ground. Running after a two year old is definitely a task and by choosing practical toys, or should say truly portable toys is key. There are levels of introduction that should be followed. To much going on is exhausting for a child, start with something that does one or two things. As an example the first educational toy i gave my son was a drum. this drum was light weight and had numerous colors that change while it was being drummed. Sounds easy enough and it was. we learned our primary colors and the sound of music. It was a very long concert, however one our family enjoyed. we ave now moved on to books and a sit and spin that speaks a little Spanish. I haven't met a child out there that doesn't like to spin circles, and my sit and spin helps my little one do it safely. With each spin we first learn the word in English and the the same word in Spanish. We are now up to five words in Spanish. There are a mound of things that can be taught with a general toy, but free your child's mind and show them endless possibilities. They will play with anything that you are excited about. the way you introduce their educational toy will be the difference in the them wanting to play or having to play with it. There is not one perfect toy for every child, but if you get excited and show them how much fun you are having then they will to. Presentation is a main factor so just go with the flow and show their toy as the best thing ever created. A child's mind is a sponge at the age of two, and the more you let them absorb the further ahead they will be.

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