Fun way to learn
RAPHAEL KURIYAN
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Toys help kids enhance their creative and spatial skills.
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R. Ragu
"All the things that I really need to know, I learnt in Kindergarten."
So said Fulgham in his book, which went on to become a bestseller. Freud too pointed out that childhood experiences could have far reaching effects on the personality of an individual. Child experts point out that play is a child's "work" and that toys are the tools that children use in play.
While playing a number of synapses occur, and these could in the long run increase the chance for successful learning and emotional well-being. Reading and playing with children may go a long way in building the skills and brain connections that they will use for the rest of their lives.
Experts agree that children who are engaged, nurtured and stimulated become better learners. Play is more than fun, however. It is the "superhighway of learning" and when adults participate in the play of children, learning is enhanced. Playing with the child also allows a parent to observe newly developed skills and help expand those skills. For example, when an 18-month-old child is building a tower with blocks, the parents can introduce the idea of building a dollhouse or a garage. Research has shown that while repetitive play had no effect on children, the intervention of an adult who introduced a new idea carried the game forward. Adults are thus integral in stimulating the child's mind.
Ideally, playtime should be one that teaches a child the skill of relating to the outer world. Through play, kids develop independence, self-image, self-esteem, curiosity, creativity and lots of other skills too. For instance, games and toys that require directions, cooperation and rules are important in learning to share and acquiring social skills while role-playing toys impart emotional skills besides teaching them more about people an communication. Some questions that parents need to ask before they buy toys:
The human element: Does the toy initiate communication and interactive skills? Will it teach the child to relate to the outer world?
Educational value: Does this toy enhance my child's creativity or imagination? A toy that performs tricks may be an obsession to begin with, but interest could wane as quickly.
Entertainment value: A toy that is educative at the expense of entertainment could hardly be called a toy.
Age appropriate: Is the toy too complex for my child? If it is, it might lead to frustration, which in turn may manifest itself in the form of anti-social and aggressive behaviour. On the other hand, if it is unchallenging, it might be added to the pile of forgotten toys.
Safe and durable: Is the toy safe and well designed? Will it survive the unexpected? Is any part of the toy likely to cause physical harm to the child?
However, one needs to remember that every child is an individual. What works for one child may not work for another.
Select toys that are in keeping with your child's personality. Toys cannot make a child. Rather, they are his/her first step towards making sense of a complex world.
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