Being a parent can be tough at times. There are several things a parent worries about when raising a child, and one of the biggest one present in almost every parent is the child’s education. In today’s rapidly changing world parents try their best to provide their children with the best education so that they will be able to see their child succeed in the future.
It is understood that learning does not begin in school but at home. Parents begin to prepare their toddlers for school from as young as 12 months so that the child receives a competitive an edge and hence has no trouble in school. Teaching a child can be rather tough given their short attention span and lack of speech and knowledge. With these barriers, the best way to provide informal education to a child would definitely be through educational toys. So, here are the top 10 educational toys you could use to educate your child this year.
10. LeapFrog Chat and Count Smart Phone
In this day and age, it is pretty much impossible for one to function without a smartphone. LeapFrog, a toy suitable for children aged 18 months and below, works on introducing the numbers 1 to 10 to toddlers. Furthermore, it also begins to teach kids simple conversation skills like how to say “hello”, “how are you” and “goodbye”. With music and songs to teach the numbers and a puppy named Violet to trade calls with the smartphone definitely gets the attention of any child and also teaches these very fundamental elements to a child’s learning in a fun way. Your child will definitely stop snatching your cellphone away when you are on calls with your manager when they have their own, making this smartphone much more worth to buy.
9. Osmo Pizza Co. Game
Whether you are 5 or 45, you love pizza. What another way to teach a child basic skills than using the ever so favorable pizza? This game not only allows your child to create their own pizza but also handle a child register, being one of the best ways to prepare one to count money and handle cash in the real world. The game, made suitable for children aged 5+, will be ideal for students in elementary school. Other than being educational, it helps a child understand the importance of work, money and even the need to acquire life skills like preparing their own meal. It also encourages interaction between sibling or even the parent and child providing a source for bonding within the family. Giving the option of running a business to a young child would also help them to understand the importance of good money management. And who knows, you might see your child running their own restaurant 20 years down the road
8. LeapFrog Mr. Pencil’s Scribble & Write
Writing and spelling is the foundation for any form of formal education. This toy introduces these skills and drawing to a child in the form of an electronic screen and stylus. Your child would be required to trace letters, shapes, and numbers that are accompanied by cute animations for easier understanding. Instant feedback will also be given to your child on his/her work which is a perfect way to introduce the ways of a classroom, and one can use constructive feedback to improve himself/herself. Giving various animations together with words will also allow the child to better relate the different picture to its name and vice versa, allowing faster learning. The instant feedback feature also allows parents to take a break and let the toy do the teaching. How convenient is this?
7. VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2
Catching up on one of the biggest technological trends, this toy mimics an �adult’ smartwatch pretty accurately. With a camera that allows your child to take pictures or videos and even use them as wallpapers, your child would learn how to use everyday technological devices in no time. On top of that, the digital clock that comes with allows him/her to learn the fundamental skill of reading time. Consisting of a pedometer, you will be able to keep track of your child’s activity and perhaps also set goals with your child to live an active lifestyle as much as possible by tracking their steps during playtime. The watch also comes with an augmented reality game, Monster Catcher, not removing the fun from education and also possibly giving the balance between staying active and well…not so active.
6. LeapFrog My Pal Violet
Being one of the most customizable toys in the list, Violet is one of the best ways to prepare your kid for real-life relationships. With a feature to teach Violet your child’s name, likes, and dislikes, this toy would be the perfect first friend to any kid. Violet allows the child to have an experience of real-life interactions, essentially preparing for them for what lies ahead in school. It also comes with 40 over songs and melodies that are both educational and soothing, and possibly ideal to get your ever so active child to sleep at night. Violet also teaches a child first words and even emotions allowing your child to better understand the ways in which humans react and how to process one’s action towards him/her. He/she will have no problem knowing you are angry when they spill the cup of milk the next time then.
5. LeapFrog LeapPad Ultimate Ready for School Tablet
The title speaks for itself for this one. With over $100 worth of educational apps that teach your child reading, music, problem-solving, creativity and much more, this toy would be one of the best ways to prepare your child for the rigor of school and even potentially put them one step ahead of the rest in school. The LeapPad is also equipped with a child-friendly browser so, you would never have to worry about the sites your child visits. Although this one does compromise on real-life interactions minimal, it is a little sacrifice that you can take to allow your child to learn school concepts earlier or even understand these concepts better after school if they have already been enrolled. Furthermore, given that most of the apps are games, would possibly guarantee that your child’s hatred towards math would decrease and attitude towards learning would be much more positive.
4. LeapFrog My Own LeapTop
Again, keeping up with the current trends and teaching your child how to use basic technology tools common in this world, the LeapTop prepares your child for school education and even work. The feature of emails that teaches your kid how to read and send email will equip your child with the basic knowledge of formal (or sometimes informal) technological interactions of the real life. The LeapTop also teaches your child the ABCs and keeps them entertained with different games or even messages. Buying this toy for your young one, ideally aged 2 to 5, no longer leave them jealous or out of place when they see you working on your laptop at the dining table.
3. Osmo Creative Kit for iPad
You’d definitely need an iPad if you are purchasing this one. Designed for children aged between 2 and 6, this toy comes with 3 fun and interactive games that combine both art and science together, exposing them to a wide spectrum of the various things out there your kid can explore. What better way is there to introduce physics to your child than with the use of an interactive monster named Mo and an art tool that stretches your creativity? Don’t you wish you too were smart enough to understand the simple laws of physics at the age of 6 with your handy little iPad?
2. Wonder Workshop Dash – Coding Robot
We’ve all probably watched a movie with robots ready to destroy the human race and take over the world. Fret not this robot does not wish to take over the world. Suitable for children aged 6 and over, this coding robot is voice activated and therefore interacts with your child, teaching them the fundamentals of robotics and preparing them for the digitalized age that we currently live in. Being used in over 20,000 schools at the moment, this robot introduces the basics of coding to your child and equips them with the knowledge that they can use together with their creativity to possibly be the future inventor of major technological advancements on Earth. This toy would definitely be one not to miss for your little geek out there.
1. Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit
One thing a child loves more than candy is magic. This Harry Potter Coding Kit allows your kid to learn the various aspects in the most fun way possible, that is, by casting spells. With creative and extremely amusing animations, art and games your child will never get bored of using his wand to execute his various demands. Through these fun interactions, coding will definitely not be viewed as dry or irrelevant to your young one, allowing them to learn one of the most useful skills of this generation in a much easier manner. Although it’s not part of the package, don’t forget to get your child one of those cute little round Harry Potter glasses!
This list definitely does not provide information on all the toys out there that can make informal education with your child much easier. Different toys are suitable for different children and it is definitely important to see which one your child prefers as much as it is to analyze the benefits of each toy.
It is definitely a parent’s concern to ensure that the child receives a quality education as much as one can provide. With busy schedules and the various responsibilities that come with raising a child, educational toys are definitely the perfect tool for one to ensure that their child gets his/her daily dosage of work and play. Don’t miss these amazing toys you could use to help your child learn. After all, it is you who is going to be the proudest when you learn your kid is the brightest one in school, isn’t it?