What is Child Development?

Each child goes through different stages of growth and learning.  Within each stage there are certain activities that stimulate the child's learning abilities for motor, emotional, physical, social and cognitive skills.  At each stage of life a child needs the family to guide them in learning by providing the correct activities and materials.

What is Age Appropriate?

Finding the right activities for the age of a child is important to not over or under stimulate the child.  If the child is over stimulated they may become frustrated and give up, however if they are under stimulated they will become bored and look for other things to do.  By providing the right tools for development the child will have a consistent and steady growth pattern. 

What makes a toy educational?

When parents buy toys they think it is better to buy those that are "educational".  They look for toys advertised or packaged for their learning value.  Simple toys are more educational than complicated toys because they stimulate imagination and creativity.  The more things a child can do with a toy the more educational it is likely to be.  Hands on toys like puzzles and toy cars build eye/hand coordination, they encourage children to think about how things work and solve problems.  Construction items, like blocks, teach science concepts like gravity/balance and math concepts like geometric shapes and numbers.  Remember children do not need lots of toys.  They need materials that are safe and  engage their interest.  They need toys that are fun.