As an educator within early childhood learning setting since 1992 I find myself to be a bit of a connoisseur on the subject of toys. While it isn't typically the hot subject at dinner parties about town I do find it useful when purchasing items for my own home. I have had the opportunity to work in many different settings and test hundreds of different toys. Seeing toys in action, their various uses (and occasional misuses), and the durability of different toys and brands has been a wonderful and unexpected gift in the world of teaching- not to mention it's just super-fun. Listed here you'll find some of my all time favorites. I hope this list helps you choose fun and educational toys for your home.
Sincerely,
Mindi Spenner
Kleynimals
Made by a local mom and LOVED by
babies, Kleynimals are a "go to" product for babies. Babies put
everything in their mouth, and they should! This is how they learn about
the world around them. As parents and caregivers, it is out job to
teach them. We do this by making the things around them safe. Babies
love toys but they also LOVE real things. They see their "big people"
with these items and a natural curiosity begins. All four of my
children have loved to play with my car keys; I'll be honest, I have
always let them- but with a little trepidation. I knew their gummy
smiles found relief in the cool metal but I never really knew what keys
were really made of. Kleynimals have become a safe alternative to the
real thing and they look real enough that kids don't
turn them down. (My Zoe seems knows that colorful remote I gave her is
NOT the real one!)
Kleynimals have also received the coveted
Visit the site below to find out more:
(google: kleynimals)
Melissa and Doug Cardboard blocks
No
doubt about it, this is a bulky item in your home but it is well worth
the space. Ours now reside in a special toy box but we originally found
the space to store them by simply pulling our couch out about 6 inches
and stacking them behind. Children of all ages adore these blocks for
the myriad of opportunities they provide. As little ones we would build a
tower and they would knock it down- a true delight to the eyes and ears
of small people. Soon though, toddlers on wobbly legs started to
build on their
own. Proud of the "great, big block" they were carrying. Gently- and
not so gently- stacking them to make a tower which, much to their
delight, they could knock down themselves. As my children have grown the
building becomes more and more sophisticated, from airports, to
studios, to tables, to multi-level playing surfaces for animals, dolls
and legos. Not only have these blocks gotten near daily use in my
household but they have stood the test of time. Just shy of six years
later we have still only lost one block (and that was to a 10 year old
jumping on top of the block). In addition, this has been a staple in
many of my classrooms throughout the years. Just big enough to satisfy a child's desire to think big but also light enough that you can be
sure no one gets hurt.
(google: Melissa and Doug Cardboard
blocks)
Legos and Duplos
For girls and boys, young and old Legos are "IT". From the kits to free-play, open-ended building Legos and Duplos supply endless opportunities for learning. Some naysayers say the kits (boxes that come with instructions of a specific item to build" are bad for children. I've found the kits to be a useful teaching tool- following directions with an attention to detail is definitely a part of life. The subsequent destruction of said "kit" and the re-build is all about creativity. Legos and Duplos offer the ultimate in open-ended play with multiple lessons combined. Fine motor skills are refined, physics, creativity, patterns, role playing- the options are, literally, endless. So whether you seek a "kit" to start with or just a regular box -o-bricks you'll find this toy to stand the test of time.
(google: Lego or Duplo)