Learning Toys and Their Benefits

'Learning' toys and 'educational' games have become hugely popular with parents during the last decade. Having said that, I once knew a parent who would explode with exasperation at the very thought.

'Give the kids a break,' he would say. 'Christmas and birthdays should be about fun. They don't have to be LEARNING all the time!'

I agree with part of what he said. Yes, kids should have fun at times of celebration and when they receive gifts.

But let's not make the mistake of thinking LEARNING and FUN are mutually exclusive. They're not. The plain fact is, we learn best when we're having fun! Like it or lump it, that's nature's way.

Think about the function of play for both humans and animals. Young girls the world over love to play with dolls - and to have make-believe tea-parties (or their cultural equivalent) while dressing up like adults.

How often have you smiled, watching your daughter teetering around in her mother's shoes, trying on her coats or making a mess experimenting with cosmetics? How often have you seen young boys driving make-believe fire engines or pretending to be construction workers or police officers?

They're having fun in these 'pretend' activities. Yet they're preparing themselves for adulthood and the world of work.

Educational opinion is now agreed:

we learn best when we enjoy what we're doing
AND when we employ a range of our senses whilst doing it.

This has led to the rise in educational or learning toys and games.

But here's an open secret. At least it may be open to some adults, but is still closed to kids! Many toys and games are produced with a backing of sound educational research and practice. They also incorporate fun activities and use bright colors, moving parts, and sounds which stimulate the visual, kinesthetic and auditory aspects of learning. They also feature cartoon and movie characters, whom kids instantly respond to.

And the result? Children think they're 'just playing with their toys' - but they're learning at the same time. And since they're having fun and using a range of their senses, they're learning in the best possible way. Without even realizing it!

Consider these facts:

Many problems in high schools are caused by the simple fact that many students have not learned to read properly. They're ashamed to admit it and become hopelessly frustrated. Often they strike out!
Students in the 21st century have so much more to learn than their counterparts 50 years ago.
Every student today MUST have a grasp of Information & Computing skills if he or she is to succeed in education.

The good news is that given the right start in life, kids thrive on these activities. Parents can give their children a head start by not only providing them with 'learning' toys, but by fully understanding the impact these can have.