Friday, December 31, 2010

Toddlers Toys - The Top 7 Toddlers Gifts

Quality toddlers' toys can help us parents in developing their mental and physical ability. I have gathered the top 7 toddlers' gifts ideas that you can give to your child this holiday season. These toddler toys will surely give them joy and they're all very educational.

1. Building blocks
Building blocks toys for toddler are essential in developing their creativity, imagination and solving problems. The best building blocks for toddlers are Architectural forms, stacking blocks and alphabets.

2. Stacking toys
stacking toys are one of the most popular children's toy. important activities such as layering, stacking and building and education. In this way the child the same kind of form and color, build, put pan cups or solve puzzles tower. In this way, the child shapes, colors and sizes to learn.

3. Electronic Toys
Electronic>toys for toddler are fun, educational and very entertaining. There are innovative technologies nowadays that develop toys for kids. There are many electronic toys that your toddler can learn letters and numbers. There will never be a boring time for kids because they hear different kinds of music. They love to watch the displays on the screen and many buttons to push. I tell you that kids love all that kind of stuff.

4. Games
Playing games for toddler are enjoyable and very educational too. They will learn skills in showing group participation and patiently wait for their turn. Games for toddlers teach them to follow simple rules to do. They will also learn numbers and letters in a fun way. It's a great time to play games with your toddlers and the whole family.

5. Puzzles
It is so important for toddlers to improve their skills in solving puzzles starting from the simple one. Their mind was developed by means of putting all together each pieces of puzzle. Puzzles for toddlers are a great way to train their mental skills.

6. Crafting Tools
Let your toddler learn the art of crafting at early age. You can help your child to develop their artistic talent in painting, sculpting and other skills in arts. Some of these crafting tools for toddlers are clay, water colors, crayons, paint, pencils, papers and many more.

7. Bath toys
Kids love to play when taking a bath! That's why we have a bath toys for toddlers. They can blow bubbles, play musical instrument on water, stick pictures on tiles; they can do fishing and play with different kinds of animal toys on the water. There are so many bath toys to choose from that they will enjoy a lot.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Child Development Toys

Parents interested in encouraging the positive development of their child's cognitive, physical, or social skills can make sure their child has access to child development toys that not only provides a child with entertainment but also encourages their healthy development.

Child development toys play an important role in a child's learning process. When children play with toys they not only interact with one another and develop social skills, they also make choices, solve problems and apply some control over their environment.

Child development toys that encourage cognitive development include puzzles and memory games. Matching games, sequencing games and number games are excellent toys that encourage a child to develop number sense and numeration as well as their sequencing skills.

Child toys that encourage scientific thought include water and sand play toys that involve measuring, sifting and pouring of different sensory material.

Child toys that encourage large muscle development include bicycles, climbers, slides, large balls and planks. Child toys that encourage small muscle development (which is important in developing those small muscles in the hands that enable a child to hold writing tools) include puzzles, small blocks, connecting toys, and even markers and crayons.

Dramatic play toys such as dolls, doll furniture, doll clothing, dress up clothing and kitchenware are excellent child toys that encourage a high level of imaginary play.

Keep in mind, when choosing child toys, to choose open-ended toys, such as play dough, blocks and paint. The play opportunities with these open-ended toys are limited only to a child's imagination.

It is also important to match the child toys with the child's developmental age (which might be higher or lower than their physical age.) Take into account the child's skill and growth level when choosing child toys, because a toy that is too difficult will cause frustration. (For example; a child development toy requiring a child to string beads is terrific if the child has developed some eye-hand coordination. But if the child has no eye-hand coordination this toy will only aggravate, discourage and disappoint the child.)

A child development toy that is developmentally appropriate can help build a child's self -esteem and allow the child to build a positive self concept. (The first time your child rides her bike without any assistance from you she will feel a sense of control and an "I can do it!" attitude.)

You will want to keep safety in mind when choosing child toys. If the toy is for a young child, make sure there are no removable parts which a child could swallow, choke on, or stick in their ears. Make sure the toy is easy to clean, so that you can cut down on germs, and also make sure the toys do not have any sharp or jagged edge.

Get in the habit of checking your child's toys regularly to ensure that there are no broken pieces, and be especially careful of electrical toys, because poor wiring may cause damage.

Selecting high quality child toys can allow your child the best opportunities to develop their learning and their social skills.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Are Kids Toys Important?

If you asked any child if his or her toys are important, the answer would be a resounding YES. We certainly thought so too when we were young enough to play with toys. When it's our turn to buy them for the little ones, some of us begin to question the relevance of toys in a child's life.

We all have a favorite toy whose memories can still elicit a chuckle or two. Mine was a plastic food set with plates and cups and saucers. I used to play with my cousins, and we certainly had fun imagining those toy plates brimming with the sweets we craved back then.

Experts say that playing with toys is essential to a child's development starting from the infant stage. Kids' toys like rattles, mobiles, toy teethers, and key rings help babies connect sound, sight, taste, touch, and smell to objects. Rattles do help them learn about cause and effect not to mention introduce colors and shapes.

Color and shape recognition, spatial relationship awareness, hand-eye coordination, and other motor skills are exercised through playing with educational toys that were made specifically to enhance those skills. There are also kids' toys that enhance the kids' imagination and creativity. Some toys even teach them patience (think floor puzzles) and reinforce the concept of hygiene (think bath and tub toys).

Toy stamps and colorful beads may not seem like great toys, but they do enhance a little girl's creativity and imagination and introduces her to the arts and crafts. For young boys, getting their own set of wheels can become such a bone of contention. Getting their own bikes or toy cars is part of their pretend play to be like their dads.

Stuffed animals look cute and cuddly and can easily be dismissed as frivolous objects. These toys in fact are so much more than aesthetically pleasing objects. Not only do they introduce the tots to animals, these toys also give them an exercise to explore textures. Some stuffed toys do make animal sounds when a certain appendage is pressed or held by the child. This is a good start for a child to learn about sounds and cause and effect.

Toys are really important in different stages of a child's development. It is up to the grown-ups to figure out which toys are appropriate for the child's age as well as to ascertain that the toys are safe for use.

There are still many skills that a child can learn through playing with his educational toys, but one thing is for certain - the key player in his growth is still human interaction.

According to Marilyn Segal, Ph.D., dean emeritus and director of the professional development program at Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the most important toy is the parent and other caregivers because babies crave one-on-one social interaction and need the security it provides.

The toy is important for very young children but they need social interaction more. When they get bigger, they need the toys to stimulate their imagination, but parents will always be more important as playmates.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Make Learning Time "Fun Time" With Anatex Educational Toys

For years, Anatex has been an industry leader in the design and production of high-quality, engaging educational toys. Best known for their award-winning roller coaster bead maze, Anatex has been recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the USC School of Business for its innovations in preschool and waiting room toys for young children.

What many people don't realize is that Anatex toys are made right here in the United States! Which is great as not only are you providing your children with the safest, highest of quality in toys, you are also helping in the support of America's economy. Here are just some of the great Anatex toys available now:

Activity Tables

Anatex activity tables are colorful, engaging, and can accommodate multiple children. Kids have a blast exploring the mazes, puzzles, and other manipulative activities, while eye-hand coordination, visual tracking and sensorimotor skills are challenged.

Busy Cubes

Anatex Busy Cubes are five sides of compelling fun! No matter which side your child plays, his or her curiosity is sure to be rewarded while building critical cognitive skills. All Anatex Busy Cubes are topped with a rollercoaster bead maze.

Magnetic Toys

Waiting for an appointment has never been more fun than with magnetic mazes and puzzles from Anatex. These innovative toys are an exciting way for children to develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and critical thinking skills.

Musical Fun

No preschool or day care is complete without a music center; the Anatex Musical Slices of Fun table is the perfect solution. Little ones experiment with sound and develop motor skills with the xylophone, xylobells, drums, 3-tone chime and cymbal, all in one place.

Rollercoaster Toys

Every child is familiar with the popular and award-winning roller coaster wire and bead mazes. Kids learn about colors, shapes, and sorting, as well as developing important sensory-motor skills with this Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys Winner. Whether you buy the Original Rollercoaster, a Mini Rollercoaster or a Jungle Rollercoaster, children will learn to recognize shapes and colors while eye-hand coordination and visual tracking are challenged.

Wall Panels

Wall Panel toys are designed to be mounted onto the wall so they are perfect for areas in which you don't have a lot of floor space. Anatex makes a large assortment of wall panels that captivate and stimulate children's imaginations while developing important skills. Here are a few brief descriptions on just a few of them:

The Traffic Memory wall panel is a classic memory game that helps kids learn the traffic signs.
With the Outer Space Pathfinder wall panel, the basic skills of logical thinking are challenged as children explore the galaxy.
Children of all ages are fascinated with physics as their reflections grow bigger and smaller in the Blowfish, Crab and Seahorse Mirror Wall Panels.

Where to find the best of Anatex, at affordable prices

Monday, December 27, 2010

Hot Christmas Toys - Lego Batman Video Games On DS, Nintendo Wii Or PSP3

If you're curious about which games your children will be playing this Christmas, the Lego Batman game is still popular. Children love Lego and the fact they can combine their favorite toy with their number one superhero is really a recipe for success. This Lego game comes in numerous editions appropriate for a Nintendo Wii, DS or Playstation so you need to order the right one depending on the console you already have.

So what's the Batman Lego game all about? Regardless of the medium used i.e. Wii, DS or Playstation, the fundamentals are the same. The game is set in Gotham City where Batman and Robin are struggling to return the villains to the asylum. They struggle through the ocean, land and air in various Batmobiles such as the stealthy Batwing. You must build some things and solve a variety of puzzles to unlock special powers and so on. There's no need to be knowledgeable on the Batman story either. This particular game, unlike Lego Star Wars or Lego Indiana Jones doesn't keep to the movie script.

Each and every level is required to be played two times, once in story mode and again in free play. In story mode, you're able to unlock a variety of personas which you then use to play during the free play mode. Once you are in free play you're able to work out puzzles and release bonuses. It's also possible to construct vehicles and weaponry to use to fight your foes.

The characters have unique actions and there's a variety of elements to the game so you and your kids wouldn't become bored playing. Young kids could have difficulties a little using the techniques although with a little help they will be fine. Many will appreciate that compared with other Wii games you won't start again if you ever die but merely drop coins.

Whilst we like to believe children love the goodies, it is fair to say that they'll love being the baddies equally as much or even more. With this video game you are able to play from either side i.e. they might be Batman or Robin or they may choose to be one of the many villains such as Joker, Catwoman or Penguin.

The Lego Batman game can be played either by yourself or with other people for added fun. If you are stuck on a level and just can't find your way out there are movies online with answers. It is enjoyable trying to work out the puzzles by yourself but often it gets a little frustrating. Obviously if you would like cheat your way through the Lego Batman game you can get plenty of clues to help you do this but that actually spoils the pleasure of this great game.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Cat Puzzles - Feline Inspired Puzzle Games

Do you love cats and even have a few feline companions at home? Then it's just natural that you always nurture and take care of them, at times it seems that your love for them even transfer to objects like stuffed toys, pictures, and cat puzzles. Have you ever tried finishing a jigsaw puzzle or even a wooden puzzle toy that has a shape of a cat? You might find these quite interesting and enjoyable since you love your pet and there are plenty of these toys and puzzles.

You can find these in hobby and toy novelty shops since they are pretty old school and they are relatively affordable. When you are done with them they can also be display ornaments around your home, most likely displayed in the living room.

Another thing that's good about puzzles is that they can be good for your brain and can make you even keeled in your everyday thinking, like finishing a 500 or 1000 piece puzzle of a dark brown tabby cat or a Siamese cat.

There are also wooden puzzles that form a cat and they vary in designs like a cat hidden in floral rosettes those sleeping in a mat, just choose the ones that you like best, you won't run out of a recreational activity thanks to these cat puzzles.

Now you can have the best of both worlds when it comes to cats, you have your own cat pets that can keep you company and you have feline inspired puzzles toys you can play at your leisure!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Unplugged Fun - Non-Electronic Educational Games For Kids

Games have always been one of the most engaging and reliable ways to teach kids new skills and reinforce them so they are not forgotten. Kids naturally want to play games so if they are able to learn something at the same time it can be beneficial on a number of levels.

In modern society the word "games" has become synonymous with computer games. And while computer games may have their strengths, they are not the only type of games to engage and educate.

Board games, logic puzzles and educational toys are designed to get kid's minds working. These games also work a different art of the mind than computer games and can help with spatial development and dexterity. For babies the learning company Lamaze introduces educational toys for the youngest baby. Straight from birth their range of soft and colourful toys draws the interest of babies and starts to develop their sense of hearing, sight and touch.

As children of this age do not see very well, sound is emphasised and the different auditory responses generated by the toys can then begin developing awareness, concentration and cause and effect. Their toys cater for children from 0-2 years. Toys in the later years emphasise motor movements and hand eye co-ordination.

For older children, the award winning range from Thinkfun provides a great range of logic based toys that are designed to engage the brain, increase concentration and problem solving skills. These games are commonly known as brainteaser puzzles and, like electronic games, can be played by one person. As with all brain teaser games, creative thinking is required - these are not mere distractions or time-passers.

Their games are simple, self contained and ingenious. In Rush Hour, a popular example, a player must move their car game-piece around a small board packed with other vehicles and maneuver themselves from one side of the town board to the other. The player can set their own challenge level and, as they become more competent, the game can become accordingly more difficult.

If you are thinking of a way to engage your child beyond a flickering screen then you could also consider jigsaw puzzles (try a puzzle with a picture of your child's favourite character) or sandbox playsets, mosaic creation kits, puppet theaters and many more games that are designed to enhance your child's creativity and having something on hand before you "unplug" your child is recommended.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Importance of Toddler Toys in Brain Development

The first three years of a child are crucial to brain development. During this period, the brain triples in weight and establishes billions of nerve connections. At the age of three, kids have twice as many nerve connections than a lot of adults. This is the reason why toddlers are very curious and inquisitive.

Their brains absorb thousands of information all at once, constructing new connections and associations, and making sense out of all the new and unfamiliar sights and sounds that bombard their senses. This is also the reason why toddler toys are designed the way that they are: colorful, bright, loud, with many different textures, shapes, sizes, and are made of different materials. These are all designed to stimulate and develop a child's mind.

Differentiation and classification
In the early phase of development, one of the crucial things that a child learns is differentiation and classification. Toddler toys such as building blocks, stuffed animals, padded play gyms, rubber balls, and spiky mats, help a child recognize the different textures and shapes of different objects. Having toddler toys in different colors and in different hues and shades, also allows a child to perceive the nuances and basic principles of color, developing their creativity and imagination. Exposing the child to as many colors, shapes, and textures as possible can help expand their perceptions and sensory experience, and help them have a wider picture of the world.

Emotional intelligence and imagination
There are also toys for toddlers that nurture emotional intelligence and imagination. The popular ones are musical toys for toddlers. Musical toys help kids learn balance and harmony, and stimulate their creative minds with interesting melodies and artistic rhythms. Classical music, particularly Mozart's Violin Concertos, is also a big help in developing a child's brain and imagination.

Logic and reasoning
While infants already have most of the neurons they need for their lifetime, their neurons are not yet wired together to form the compound networks required for complex thought processes. In the early years of a child, the neurons rapidly link together and form connections or synapses. Toys such as puzzles, mind games, mixing and matching, play cards, and mind maps can help toddlers make complex associations and rapidly develop their logic and reasoning.

Memory and concentration
These days, with numerous technological advances and a bombardment of media messages and information, from home theaters to 3D video games, all-day cartoon channels to internet access and online entertainment, and from billboards to interactive LCD screens, ubiquitous advertisements, and sophisticated gadgets, kids and toddlers have shorter attention span and concentration. They are easily distracted and bored. Traditional toys for kids can help them be more patient, increase focus and concentration, improve their listening skills, filter out distractions, and enhance their memory.

Traditional toys that require kids to sit down, think, and tinker for a couple of minutes or even an hour will help a child form good habits and acquire discipline-two important traits for excelling in school and the adult world.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Melissa and Doug educational toys

The company Melissa and Doug is a Westport, Connecticut-based company of husband and wife team Melissa and Douglas Bernstein format. The company was founded in 1988 and now more than 20 years, following behind the provision of quality products for children have helped to build lasting memories searched. Many of the products in their line of educational toys are a valuable experience for young minds only knowledge of the world and their place in it.

There are severalCarpet collection of learning. These are the cards that the children paint, learning that show pictures of common educational problems, their children, laminate. There is an alphabet and number mats to support learning, reading and numeracy. There are also a number of basic skills learning mats, children learn and to help reinforce important skills such as timing, phonics and writing. There are also a range of skills to learn math learning mats, children also helpSubtraction, multiplication and division. Many other mats are also available, including mats to teach geography, the solar system, past U.S. presidents, dinosaurs and more.

Stimulate young minds, even after the numbers is a great choice of puzzles and other toys such as alphabet blocks and blocks, as well as interactive games, like the alphabet puzzle book or the number of magnetic maze. gypsum boards and dry-erase boards are to help children practicetheir writing, and there are a lot of wild-animal shaped toys, places that children learn about animals in the world at a distance.

By Melissa and Doug are classic games that encourage thinking and strategy such as chess and checkers. Arts and crafts are also available, excite young minds in the grass. They also help lead to accessories, young minds to discover nature, such as binoculars, magnifying glasses, bug nets and bug homes and smallPlastic snakes, insects and lizards. Melissa and Doug The Company is committed to ways of helping young minds grow and learn in a variety of, and this is seen to offer very clear on the type of toys they have.

Melissa and Doug The company also offers various other toy lines that are very popular, including the trunk, the tree trunk on wheels painted enchanting, a place of storage can be used as is or as a piece of luggage that children can ride, so they have more funAirports. There are also stuffed animals, dolls, say, cooking utensils and tools, dolls, doll houses, storage frames, door signs, lock set, farm sets, rattles, toys, sandbox, picnic and camping accessories and much more.

All these wonderful line of toys for children who are young minds growing support Melissa and Doug society a great source for parents looking to provide their children the best start. Laughter, learning and fun are neverScarce, when a company has the toys by Melissa and Doug help families grow together for over 20 years and no end in sight.

Please read our copyright box below to find Melissa and Doug toy photos, quotes and interesting facts on toys by Melissa and Doug.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Dogs - Best toys for dogs Energy

Do you have a dog with a lot of energy? Not sure how to channel that power? Today the market has a lot of dog toys to help little and release 'of that power to prevent your dog. E 'for you and your dog to play with toys, and toys that will challenge and help them to wear down mentally.

Frisbees and tennis balls are some of my favorite toys by dogs for dogs of high energy. Game to take with your dog is not only a good exercise for them,a good way to build that bond that we all want the best people with friends. I want to do when selecting a frisbee for you, you will ensure that a designed to be easy to vote on the mouth.

Tennis balls are fun, but if they are not used are subject to, can really drain the arm. There are various dog toys today that the balls are designed to make it easier for you to throw tennis. Many are in a way that you pick up the ball and throw it possible to design withouttouching it, and then keeps his hands clean.

There are also a variety of toys that help the mind, challenge and stimulate your dog. These tires help him mentally.

Kong dog toys are a great way to keep you busy for hours. It allows you to enter a treatment in the toy and keep thinking, how to access the goodies are also recipes for your Kong toys, give your dog a variety of flavors. He loves to discoverWhat I have found a treasure every time he gets his Kong.

To further stimulate the mind and body, there are also a number of different toys Kong, where the food is used. The dog must maneuver the toys around the floor to get the food last fall through the holes in the toy, so he can eat. This also helps to slow down his eating.

There are also interactive toy dog brain constructs a puzzle, the incentives for '. The mental challenge is totreatment and how to do it. He then used his physical ability to get treatment. He receives not only the intellectual challenge of the treatment of the puzzle and figure out how to do it, but he needs to use his physical ability to get treatment.

Finally, I have only a few ways to help a dog that uses energy, with and happy. My favorite activity is playing with a frisbee to take forever. This activity will certainly keep your doghappy and healthy. The end result will always be a special bond between the two of you.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Toys for children - 3 puzzle motifs are the best baby toys

When trying to find children's toys because there is a wide range of options. One of the best toys for your child can be a puzzle. In this article are 3 reasons why the puzzles are the best baby toys.

1. Improve motor skills: How children learn and progress will be increasingly mobile, it is important that they develop motor skills. Putting together the puzzle is one of the best ways they can beginUse and improve this capacity. Grasp and manipulate small objects you can help these young children significantly increase capacity.

2. The development of cognitive skills: The skills are the cognitive skills to learn the spiritual. With the development of these skills and puzzle games like to do, is a child's brain is ready for the academic world many skills you learn in life.

3. Improving hand-eye coordination:Coordinate eyes and hands is an important skill to guide your hands to do, see what your eyes. Requiring a child to place a piece of the puzzle in a specific place, changing the direction or with the colors and the shapes of letters, puzzles, a puzzle of the best toys for young children, the possibility of improving this.

This article discusses three reasons for this are puzzle toys your child best. With the improvement of the puzzle together childrenDevelop motor skills, cognitive skills and improve hand-eye coordination. All these skills are a necessary part of working well and will help them later in life, when they begin their academic journey.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Unique toys for kids!

Choosing the right toy for children in life can be very difficult. Every year, bigger, more evil toys Pop toy top the list - makes the selection toy rather difficult! We've been away a short list of toys, children's gifts that your children will appreciate and enjoy the holiday decorations with revenge. These toys are fun and educational institutions provide an ear to ear smile!

Here is a list of bizarre 9> Children's Toys:

The 3-foot T-Rex skeleton model is perfect for ages 8 and up. It 's a great combination for children, dinosaur puzzles, and love! These huge toy line includes 51 pieces of bones that fit together. View on the basis of rock-like or take for future reference!

Moon Shoes! An oldie but a goodie Moon shoes are ideal for children aged 7 years. Defy gravity and children bounced on these mini trampoline, like shoes, which will allow you to jump, skip and jumpFun!

For those guys out there friend technology, video Net Spy Watch is great! For ages 8 to 12, this watch is perfect for future investigators. It secretly records video, audio and photos with 20 minutes of video recording and playback, 4 hours of audio and holds over 2,000 photos! J to make matters worse, it also has a lie detector that can instantly analyze your shots! Talk about WOW factor!

For the hands of the guy who is always building things andTare down, try the tools to build real-Real Deluxe! Great for ages 5 to 7, this set comes with wood materials Kid and tools to allow children to cut, nail, screw and build everything you can imagine. Kid wood material specially created to look just like real wood, but is designed for safety and easy to use for kids!

The discovery of the Snake is the perfect remote control for 6 years. It looks super realistic and moving very fast! There are also flicks his tongue and rattles its tail -and light up eyes! It 'the first radio-controlled snake moves and looks like the real thing!

Give your young Padawan making them a thrill with their first challenge on the path of a Jedi Knight: build your own lightsaber! The Lightsaber Remote Controlled Light Room gives them their 25-inch Jedi lightsaber build and install it on their wall. It has a remote control and special effects must be healthy and light!

We all love magic tricks, please contact your12 + years, with a Magic Ball Fushigi Fushigi gravity with simple hand manipulation seem to float and to overcome the force of gravity, with no strings or tricks! It comes with a DVD to help you learn dozens of illusions. Each ball is balanced, tested and polished by hand.
Last but not least, the Zillionz Electronic Money Jar from Summit. Your 8-12 years can now save money and see it grow to count the money as Jar counts every coin, so you always know how much money they saved.The money realized the amount of each coin and have as your savings grow!

Remember to get nervous, do not toy with a season long list of every holiday, and remember that a good toy is a toy season and teaches that continue to thrill long after the holidays. Take time to choose the perfect gifts for children's toys and you can be sure your money is well spent!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

1000 Piece Puzzle - Stress management game for all ages

Today, children of all ages, I only know one thing, and that is with their portable games, game consoles and their computer games. If you're tired of all this, then why not try a game of stress management puzzle of 1000. Young or old, can enjoy this game all that was popular decades ago made only once.

Almost everything can now be performed with the aid of technology. The types of toys are endless. Electric scooters, bicycles, for your handheldGames to play stations, X-Box, Wii, and much of the electronic games that are available on the market today. It 's rare to find a boy or a girl with a puzzle. Most of them prefer to ask their parents for toys above. Even adults have become so much like the young drug addicts to electronic games are addictive.

It would be for you or your family to be nice to enjoy a puzzle game or two of 1000 puzzles? Not only that all of youenjoy the game, you will be able to spend time with his family. puzzles are not too done for the children alone, adults can enjoy. If you want something more complicated than you can always go puzzle whenever you're ready for your first puzzle to many.

Playing a game or two of the 1000 puzzle will give you a natural high after completing the puzzle. After you are finished with all this, you can easily have your puzzle and framed in yourStay in your room or wherever you want. It 'also nice to see, let your friends your performance. How did you really need a person with tons of patience, a puzzle over, not to mention a 1000 piece puzzle is complete.

Find the time to get back to basics and start being a puzzle, not only is it funny that these kind of toys, to think and learn from the states of stress-free. You can enjoy this game alone or with your wholeFamily.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Toddler Toy Basics

Introduction

Toddler Toys offer toddlers a myriad of activities to explore, introducing them to ride on toys, puzzles, and more. We believe that the best toddler toys are the one which are age appropriate and support the physical, emotional, social, cognitive and language development of toddlers. Some toddler toys at this age include singing toys, toys with buttons to push, blocks, shape sorters, pull and push toys to name a few.

Learning

Remember, like I said, even toys as basic as blocks are considered learning toys: when toddlers engage in the great fun of building up and tearing down they're developing skills they'll eventually need to grasp basic principles of math. This cannot be stressed enough. Children's toys that introduce your young one to auditory processing, cognitive learning and gross motor development. If possible the best thing you can do is provide your Small in size with a variety of toys and learning experiences in a warm environment. to get pressure on a child or going to sea from any interaction with lead to a lesson, take the fun of learning. The children do not feel like learning, but playing.delimiter

Toys

Toys need to talk and educate the child. Babytoys maintain the development of important skills while having fun playing the introduction. Push>toys (like the Corn Popper) give toddlers an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of physical exercise and improve the coordination important to development. Even toys as basic as blocks are considered learning toys: when toddlers engage in the great fun of building up and tearing down they're developing skills they'll eventually need to grasp basic principles of math. Toddlers will love to play with these following toys: climbing toys , toddler pull toys, toddler push toys, toddler riding toys, swinging toys, play tunnel, slides, rocking toys (including toy rocking horse)and balls. If you're on a budget, get the balls and the push toys or even think about checking about programs such as Free Cycle, where people sign-up to give away things they don't need any more for free.delimiter

Language

You can use any toddler toy to improve your child's language development. Play with your child and talk to them about the toy. Explain to them how it works, the colors of the toy, or the function. Also, teaching your toddler to share toys will improve his/her social skills, also increasing their ability to communicate with others without screaming "MINE."

Conclusion

There are many types of toddler toys out there for your toddler. When choosing, just remember that the toy is not as important as how you present the toy to them. Use every opportunity as a way to teach and develop them into the person they are going to be for the rest of their life. Toddlers are at the age at which people are most impressionable, they pick up everything and immolate everything. So, let the games begin, and learn a little too.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Fancy Nancy Toys - Dolls, DressUp, Games and Puzzles Gifts Your Little Girl Will Love

Are you looking for Fancy Nancy Toys and ideas? Well you have come to the right place. Many people are fans of this popular book series created in 2005 by author Jane O'Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser. Since that time little girls are eager to play dress up, play with dolls, and games of their favorite fancy friend and that is what you will find in this article, information about dolls, dress-up and games!

Dolls

Bring a smile to your Fancy Nancy fan with a Fancy Nancy Doll. Dressed in a festive holiday dress and carrying an ornament,the 18" Holiday doll makes a wonderful gift. It will bring a smile and lots countless hours of fun to your little girl.

The well-known and respected doll designer Madame Alexander brings a wonderful likeness and spirit to their line of this dolls and right into your little girl's arms.

The doll dressed as an Explorer will delight your child also! It is dressed with soft cloth and is referred to as Extraordinaire! Adorned in pink boots, a lady bug headband, and leopard print scarf this doll is ready to go and explore!

Dress Up and Pretend Play

Dress Up and Pretend Play are more extraordinary while having a tea party wearing a boa and ruby crown! There are also satin and lace backpacks for careful storage and carrying of all special toys for play dates and more pretend time at the grandparents. And what fashionista should be without a glamorous purse and matching sunglasses!

Games and Puzzles

Take your little ones play time to frilly and elaborate levels with Glitter puzzles, and dress up stick-ons. Colorforms are available with a variety of themes including the Colorforms Dress-Up Games. Spend time together having delicious fun playing the Positively Parfait Game with your little girl.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The History Of Wooden Toys

Toys have been an important part of childhood since early civilization and while children today are much different than those thousands of years ago, many of their favorite toys are similar to those that have been around for centuries. As long ago as the ancient Greek and Roman empires, children are known to have played with dolls, horses, and chariots. The earliest toys discovered by archaeologists were all made of wood.

Wooden toys continued to be a common part of childhood for thousands of years. By the 1700's, German toymakers began to craft a variety of toys from wood to sell to the general public. Salesmen would travel around Europe to market the popular wooden toys, taking advance orders for special occasions and often for custom made wooden toys. Almost life-like dolls and animals were becoming favorite playthings for children all over Europe.

Over the next century, toymakers became more elaborate and detailed with their wooden creations. Wooden miniatures like dollhouses and theaters became popular during the 19th century, as well as wooden toy soldiers. Many wooden toys, like the classic Jack in a box, were hand painted with bright, vivid colors. Wooden trains, along with their wooden tracks, were one of the best selling toys during this time period.

By the end of World War II, a number of new materials had been introduced to the manufacturing industry including still popular plastic. The production of wooden toys steadily declined as more and more toymakers opted for cheaper and more modern materials. Plastic toys were much easier for mass production and were more affordable to families with children.

Today, wooden toys are rarely seen on the shelves of traditional toy stores but the charm and appeal of these childhood classics has kept a number of wooden toy manufacturers in business. A variety of wooden toys can be purchased online, from miniature appliances to small novelty gifts and games.

Wooden toys are typically simple playthings that encourage a child to use their imaginations. Wooden puzzles encourage children to develop cognitively as well as develop fine motor skills. Wooden ride-on toys and pedal cars enhance physical skills and gross motor development. Whether it is a fire station or a farmhouse, miniature wooden play sets aid in social and emotional development. Wooden toys hold great educational value because of their simplicity.

Plastic toys are still generally less expensive than wooden toys and are considered safer by some because of the flammability of older wooden toys and possible injuries from thrown or falling wooden objects, but wooden toys do not contain toxic PVC like plastic toys do. Wooden toys are the most durable toys and can usually last through generations of play.

Today's wooden toys are just as innovative, if not more so, than modern, electronic toys. Cars, trucks, and wooden wind-ups make wonderful gifts and wooden pull along toys delight toddlers. Quiet games like chess and checkers, and even tic-tac-toe can be found made of wood, as well as physical games like ring toss. For toys that provide educational benefits and last for decades, choose the toys that have been tested by time, wooden toys.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Popularity in Toddler Toys

When shopping for toddler toys, you will be searching for toy between the ages of 1 and 3. This is a very important stage in your child's life and for the learning path that they are on. They are curious about what is going on around them and learning seems fun and exciting when you purchase the right kind of toys.

Some of the most popular types of toys to purchase for a toddler are building blocks, puzzles and even Lincoln logs. There are wonderful toys that you can purchase such as lacing toys that will help to teach your toddler how to tie their shoes and get themselves dressed.

You can also buy learning toys for toddlers that will teach them how to put their toys and clothes away. Toys for kids can be a great learning experience if you buy the right ones. Travel toys are really cool for your toddler. When you are going on a trip whether it is a short ride or a long ride, you can purchase toys that will make your toddler feel as though they are participating in the trip.

By getting them a set of play keys or even a steering wheel that has a horn and blinkers etc, your toddler will feel as though they are driving with you and it will make the trip go a lot smoother. Your toddler's imagination will run wild once they hit the ages of 2 and 3. They will want to have tea parties and play with racing cars. Your daughter will want to play house and your son may want to play cops and robbers or even pretend that they are going into space. The possibilities are endless when it comes to your children playing pretend.

Even though they may be pretending now, some of their imagination may actually be a sign of what they will become once they get older and start going to high school. The toys that you buy for your child while they are a toddler will have a big effect on the way they are in the future.

You want to have toys that will help to shape your child's mind and to get them ready and prepared for what they have ahead of them. There are science toys, puzzles, construction toys, animals, outdoor toys and even music learning toys. The options just seem to go on and on for what you can choose to by for your child.

The toys that you choose for your child to play with will help to develop their thinking skills as well as their social skills. You will be building on their creativity and their coordination. All of these things are going to be important as your child grows. The toys that you buy today are going to be the toys that they remember tomorrow in one way or another. They may not remember what they were playing with when they were little but it will help them when they get older.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Selecting Toys For Your Kids

Parents do find it difficult at times so as to what toys they should choose for their kids, especially toddlers. It is a great learning period of a baby where he or she is into learning about the different things that comes their way. The toys are the most important medium where the baby can learn a lot of things such as building blocks, stacking and sorting the toys, wooden block games etc. All these toys just stimulate their senses and help to increase their learning abilities.

In specific, the toys for toddlers, who are from the ages of one to three years should focus on physical play. The toys that can be chosen for the toddlers include both the outdoors and the indoors. The outdoor toys can be the ride-on toys, the wagons, balls etc. The indoor games or toys as mentioned above including the building blocks, stacking and sorting toys allows the children to burn their high levels of energies and develop muscle control. The children also love to mimic their elders such as trying to do the things that they do.

Therefore giving them an opportunity to have the same kind of an environment, the children can be given kitchen sets, housekeeping tools, toy cars etc. that would help them open up and communicate with their parents in a much better way. Toys such as large board puzzles with absorbing colors just grabs their attention and they find it a lot amusing. The parents taking active participation with their babies can clearly see that their children is learning different things on a very fast pace and they can then plan on buying advanced toys to meet up their learning potential.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Jigsaw Puzzles for Developing Intelligence Level

Puzzles are the great way to increase the intelligence quotient, arithmetic, numeric, language ability. There are several types of puzzles which one can enjoy and play. Out of various puzzle games, the best way to increase the intellectual ability is through jigsaw puzzles. The designs of jigsaw puzzles are very challenging and creative with beautiful, colorful outlines, latest graphics and interesting images. This catches the attention of audience easily.

Through jigsaw games one can get various benefits quickly through enhanced cerebral potency, psychosomatic fitness, self-confidence, charisma, removal of nervousness and feelings of sadness. There are various types of jigsaw games in several styles and designs in market like word games, flash puzzles, mind games, arcade games etc. These games are ongoing games. They are interesting games which reduce the sadness and also increase self confidence. One can take such these puzzles from online gaming company to play modern and latest puzzles. These puzzles help children in a way to fulfill wants and hopes. These games can be downloaded free of cost from many websites through which most artful & professional jigsaw puzzles can be available.

It is a long-lasting manner of entertaining. There are various benefits like mind development, intelligence quotient etc can be generated through playing jigsaw puzzles. Puzzle solving can be initiated at early ages & can even continue in later ages. For different age groups, there are different types of puzzles. There are wooden puzzle pieces and other sorts of durable puzzles designed for toddlers.

It helps in improving basic skills like hand to eye coordination as the child has to modify the placement of small objects to specific places. As kids get older, the level of game also increases with more challenging puzzles with complex patterns, designs and colors. It requires advanced skills and coordination which helps in developing arithmetic, language and analytical skills. Communication & collaboration skills can also be increased.

Whether it is toddler, preteen, teen or adult, everybody can enjoy and learn the puzzles. It improves the spatial skills. The child visualize puzzle piece & then mentally rotate puzzle piece to 360 degrees which help in increasing the mind power. The child can move from the concrete thoughts to the world of abstract thoughts. Through it, reasoning & problem solving skills can be developed easily.

It will help in evaluating and visualizing different shapes, colors & patterns to be fitted at specific places on game board. Solving puzzle problem gives children the confidence so that he/she can try more tough and challenging puzzles.

Solving these puzzles helps in arousing interest in all types of puzzles like crosswords and word puzzles. The child can excel in all the areas of life through solving these puzzles. There are several puzzles available with educational themes which can give education and entertainment together. The themes could be from history, literature, astronomy, bible stories, trains, etc. The child is able to recognize the pictures and text and able to correlate it to make it a meaningful image.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to entertain oneself. They increase concentration and patience and the end product is always very beautiful. Jigsaw puzzles are great for all kinds of people, of all ages. Since they are available in different levels of difficulty, they can be played and enjoyed by anyone, and any number of people can take part. This makes it all the more popular.

Jigsaw puzzles are now available in many designs and patterns. Some are so complicated that they have thousands of pieces to create the most intricate and challenging designs. Some of the most common patterns are: autumn, Christmas, dinosaurs, dragons, Easter, earth day, Egypt, fantasy, flowers, food, Halloween, homes, landscapes, people, ocean, plants, school, space, sports, summer, traveling, weather, and movie-based puzzles like Mickey Mouse, Finding Nemo and Winnie the Pooh.

There are also online jigsaw games available. These are also provided with different difficulty levels--some of them with as many as twelve levels. These also have attractive graphics and animation options to make them look more realistic as well as interesting. They are very easy to play, with simple click and drag movements of the mouse. You can also design your own jigsaw puzzle with the given options. These are available as downloadable programs or in CDs. Some of them are also free. These can be played online or they can be downloaded onto the PC. Some sites allow a few free levels and the rest of them have to be purchased. The CD games require certain minimum software configuration like: Windows 95/98/2000/XP or ME; 32 or 64 MB RAM, Microsoft-compatible mouse; 2X speed CD ROM; 800X600 (16 bit colors) video and display; Netscape or IE version 4 or higher with Java enabled; and a Pentium 166 or 266 MHz processor.

Some manufacturers are providing jigsaw puzzles with special effects such as those with built-in lights. You can have an aerial picture of your own house or a picture of your loved ones made into a puzzle. Another interesting advancement is the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. These are also shaped in interesting patterns, and they make great display items when done. Jigsaw puzzles are available at most games and sports stores. They can also be ordered and bought from online stores.

Friday, December 10, 2010

The logic of educational toys for children

Children should learn this natural character. She has this ability to absorb new information and react to a stimulus almost like a sponge. The daily experience, for example, are excellent avenued, where children can learn. In this respect, the games, and play, play with toys and so are very useful for this purpose. Children educational toys are so vital to each child's learning and development.

This insatiable appetite for almostLearn to play with the children in their natural tendency, it should not be wasted toyd without much relevance to their academic development.

If it is true, as some experts would say that each boy will have its purpose in the development of the child's brain and global development, to serve, it is equally unassailable, that maximizing this natural process of learning is not a bad idea. In fact, there is now a maximum agreed that toys for children are taken into account educationalof each couple or individual examination of the formation of a child.

regular play is not only their children needed physical activity, as well as the need for adults, a daily work routine or regular work, but also a place to develop their personality, emotional capacity, and also trains complete, which will help them discover the nudity with the world in which they live, how they grow. E 'during the game that the children of their creativity, imagination, develop language, reading, thinking, problemSolution, and their motor skills.

But educational toys for children come with a purpose, at least in terms of age of a child. Children under the age of three major benefits of creative play. To believe that the games are very common in this age group, so it is more appropriate educational toys. Costumes of their favorite cartoon heroes heroines toy should take this opportunity to say that for their education.

EducationalToys for this purpose, the materials can take the form of teddy bears and toys other things, dolls, crafts, arts and strengthen toy. Toys and other objects, in some way imitate the children of the area are also beneficial.

in the area of the four children are aged five years ago and cognitive toy, thinking they would need help in their development, problem solving and decision making. Educational toys thatthis need the best art, craft and with considerable difficulty, and toys such as Lego building. Puzzle also belong to this group of educational toys.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

How Puzzles Aid Child Development

Solving puzzles is a great way for young children to develop important hand-eye coordination and motor skills. The most basic of puzzles are those which include shape sorting, whereby a child is required to manipulate various shaped blocks and place them in the appropriately shaped slot. These are suitable for children as young as one, and will help them develop very basic problem solving skills as well as hand-eye coordination.

Jigsaw puzzles are very popular among children. Jigsaws with increasing levels of difficulty are available for a wide range of ages and developmental stages. Jigsaw puzzles utilise a handful of specifically shaped pieces that fit into corresponding holes in a board. The number of pieces can range from as few as four up to a thousand. Often with puzzles for younger children, the jigsaw pieces are decorated so that when placed together correctly they form an entire picture. Completing these simple puzzles not only aids hand-eye coordination but also will help develop a child's memory. Jigsaws designed for older children may include letters and numbers to help familiarise them with the alphabet and learn basic numeric skills.

Other puzzles designed for children rely on the matching of shapes and colours. These will again aid hand-eye coordination, but will also encourage your child to distinguish between different shapes and colours. These are basic problem solving skills, but are essential for them to develop and ready themselves for bigger challenges.

Puzzles are an invaluable aide for skill development. However, it is important to introduce children to those that are suitable for their age group. Young children in particular can get very frustrated with puzzles that they cannot solve. Often this is simply because they haven't yet developed the necessary hand-eye coordination or thought processes required to complete them.

Introducing puzzles to children at a young age is an enjoyable way for them to develop important manual dexterity, memory, and coordination skills. As they get older, they will be able to advance to more complicated puzzles promoting development of language and numeric skills. It is important to help your child with puzzles initially. As they become more comfortable with the idea of puzzles, they will be able to complete them on their own, providing a rewarding experience for both you and your child.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Pre-Trip Check List

Do you need a pre-trip check list?

Here are my suggestions to get you started...

One month ahead:

If you don't already have one, set up an email address to stay in touch. To stay in contact world-wide, I use a Yahoo email address. Since Yahoo is accessible from any computer in the world, so is my email. If you are setting up a new account, use only letters and numbers for your ID and password. Build your Contact list. There have been times I've had problems finding symbols on foreign keyboards including the @ sign.

I scan my important documents and email them to my Yahoo address. If I need a copy, I can access them through my email account

Make sure your ATM card uses a 4 digit pin. And learn your pin by the numbers, not letters. Many international ATM machines have only digits on them.

Call your bank and credit card companies and let them know you'll be away and where. Carry more than one credit card in case of an emergency.

For a money pouch, I use Magellan's Deluxe Secret Waist Wallet. I find it very comfortable and easily accessible.

Be sure to check the condition of your luggage and replace it if necessary. Distinguish it in some way: yarn bow on the handles, colored tape along the sides, neon luggage straps

Make copies of your itinerary to put into your suitcase.

Learn how to make overseas calls from the country you will be visiting. If you want to take your cell phone, call your cell phone provider for information.

If you have a pet, make pet sitting arrangements.

Confirm all your reservations. If this is a car trip, take your car in for a checkup.

Check your wardrobe. Do you have the right clothes for your trip? If not, time to go shopping

One week ahead:

Put your newspaper on vacation stop.

Put your mail on hold or arrange for someone to pick it up.

Prepare emergency contact information to leave with friends and neighbors.

Check your medications. Do you have enough for the trip plus any emergency delays?

Traveling by public transportation? Arrange your ride to the airport/train/port/etc.

Gather all of your documents into one place. Put copies in another place.

Get your camera and accessories ready. Include your camera manual and extra batteries or rechargeable batteries with the charger. Read the small print on the back of your charger.
Most charges will now work with dual currents and you only need to bring outlet adapters.

Two days ahead:

Attach your lights to timers.

Put together a 'keep busy' kit for you and everyone traveling with you: books, puzzles, toys, etc

Check out the weather, at your destination, to make sure you are bringing the right clothes.

Eat or give away the perishables that are in your refrigerator.

Your carry on bag should be packed with medications and anything else that will not be easily replaceable at your destination.

Prepare the cash for your trip. If traveling domestically, traveler's checks are OK but internationally they can be very hard to convert. The ATM machine, in general, is the best way to get local currency

One day ahead:

Take your pet to the kennel, or if staying in the house, confirm arrangements with pet sitter.

Water your plants.

Adjust the a/c or heat appropriately

If traveling domestically, print out your boarding passes.

Include some snacks in your carryon, especially if traveling in the US where the airlines don't feed us anymore.

Set your alarm and get a good night's sleep.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Organizing Toys

Before we begin, I wanted to share some startling statistics with you. I found them in Every Child has a Thinking Style by Lanna Nakone. Keep them in mind when you are organizing toys with your kids.


Children from the age of 4-12 have tripled their purchases since the 1990's.
Children's homes have 50% more things in them since the 1980's.
Since the 1920s toys have been marketed directly to children.
In 2004, 15 billion dollars were spent on advertising to children.
In 1981, kids had 40% time for play.
In 1997, kids have 25% time for play.
Children have a third less downtime than they did a generation ago.

YIKES!

Isn't it interesting that kids have MORE toys now and LESS time to enjoy them? Something is wrong with this picture.

In this article we are going to explore simple ideas for organizing toys, games to make it fun for all, as well as become more clear about your role and your child's role in organizing toys.

Simple Ideas for Organizing Toys

Create one room that is the play room. This may mean children will have to share a bedroom. This allows for their sleep room to be a place of tranquility, peacefulness, and rest. It also keeps toys in a space that is every kids dream--their own play room! Create zones such as a game zone, reading zone, doll zone, car zone, missing pieces zone, etc. The special zones will make it easy to know where things belong. Plus when the kids are inspired, they can easily find the toy that will take them to never-never land.

Use clear baskets and bins for kids to visually see where their toys are and where they belong when it is time to put them away. Empower the kids at all ages to develop this life skill of putting things back. Use pictures for kids who are not reading yet by cutting out pictures from magazines, drawing the toys, or taking a digital picture and using it as the label. Turn it into an art project and have the kids make their own labels.

Practice the "One-In, Two-Out" rule. For every toy that is brought into the home, have the child choose two to donate or give to another friend. This is a marvelous habit to get the kids into. (Well, for us adults too!) The other beauty of this rule is when you are at a store and your child asks for a new toy. You can ask them, "Are there two toys you are willing to let go of to allow this into your playroom?" If the answer is NO, then it is easier to say not now. If the answer is YES, then ask which toys they are thinking about to make sure they are somewhat comparable in size and value. I bet some kids would be more than willing to let go of a fast food toy for a race track! Creating this new thought process with purchases will allow the kids to be an active part of the decision.

Let go of the big, bulky toys that take up tons of space. Trade them in for a bicycle or even a wagon. Kids have flourished with simple toys that enhance their creativity and their physical fitness in the past. Why not do the same now?

Get creative with games and puzzles. Games and puzzles add a special challenge by having different shaped boxes. One solution is to get rid of the boxes and have a clear plastic container for game pieces, a binder for the rules, and a box for all the game boards (with a label on the outside of the board). You may also be interested in using GameSavers to keep each game in its own box. For puzzles, use ziplock bags for the pieces and color the backs so you know which piece goes with which puzzle if they get mixed up. Remember, you have the power to make games and puzzles work for your space, rather than making your space fit your games and puzzles.

Create a way for the play space to be portable. Kids may want to play in an area that is close to you. You may even want them where you can see them. So, have a basket in each room where toys migrate. Throughout the day these baskets can collect the toys and allow for easy pick up to be returned to the play room.

Get in the habit of putting toys to bed. This turns the kids space into a clean slate for new fun to be had!

Rotate toys. As adults, we know what it is like to have too many choices. It can paralyze us! The same is true for kids. If you find them being overwhelmed with their toy selections or becoming bored, place some in a storage box to be brought out on a rainy day or in a couple of months. This will extend the life of the toy by having them feel new again!

Slow the toy flow. If toys are coming into your life at unmanageable speeds, or if you find you are not receiving appropriate gifts for your children, it may be time to offer other suggestions to your family and friends. For example, you can suggest money for your child's college fund, gift certificates, or experiences such as museums, parks, music lessons, trips, etc.

Change your language. Organizing toys instead of cleaning toys can make all the difference in their excitement level. For some reason, kids respond to "Let's organize your toys!" instead of "Hey, let's clean up the play room." I know which one sounds like more fun to me! Ha!

Games to Make Organizing Toys Fun

Out of Place Game

Once a home for their toys is created, ask your kids to close their eyes while you move things around. Their goal is to find all the items out of place and put them back in their home. This encourages kids to look for misplaced items, think about where they belong, and take action to put them back. Using a timer can add another level of challenge! You can even use this for other items in the house such as books, clothes, and school supplies.

Timers

Timers are wonderful tools to add a little excitement and motivation to any project--even organizing toys! By having one near the play area you can:


Set the timer for 15 minutes and when it goes off, it is time to put the toys away.
See how long it takes the kids to put the toys away and race against the clock.
Set the time for a certain amount and what ever is not put away gets placed in a donation box or a safe box (to be let out after a certain time.) Okay, this may seem a little mean, but you could use this if the kids are not cooperating and need an extra incentive.

Field Trip to Donation Center

If your kids are donating toys, take them to the donation center and let the employees share how their toys will be used. If you let the donation center know you are coming in advance, they may even have a little celebration for your kids to reinforce how special their gift is. This could make it even easier next time you are going through your toys.

Toy Hunt

Add a twist to clearing out the toy clutter by making it into a scavenger hunt. Make a list of all the things you want the kids to hunt for, or better yet, ask your kids to come up with their own list. Items could include:


toys that are broken
toys that are too young for me
toys I don't like to play with anymore
toys that are missing a piece

Now set a timer and see how many items they can find for the entire list, or for a specific topic, such as broken toys. You can have the kids race against each other or work together as a team effort and give them different zones to hunt.

Yard Sale

This could be a fun way for your child to learn a ton of different skills--money management, marketing, sales, and of course--organizing toys! By making money from their toys, they will see a different kind of value attached to the toy and may be willing to let go of them a little easier. Plus, they can use the money to buy something else they desire.

Your Kid's Role in Organizing Toys

I am a firm believer in having the kids be a part of the decision on what toys are given away. I get a lot of grief from parents on this one, but think about it. On some instances, your child may not know their toy is missing and YES, it is easier for you to do it when they are not around. But just like anything, it is a habit and a way of thinking about their things that can be taught and will take some time. It is possible for kids to develop a lack of trust and hang onto their toys even harder if they fear they will be taken away without their input. This is another fabulous way to teach them how to make choices that reach far beyond toys.

Get the kids involved in their own space. How do they want it decorated? What zones make sense to them? What does organizing toys mean to them? What would motivate them to clean up their space? When given the chance, kids can come up with the best ideas.

Kids also have their own organizing style that is important to embrace. So, how you would organize their space may not work for them. I recommend reading Every Child has a Thinking Style to help identify your child's own style to empower and understand them.

Your Role in Organizing Toys

In my opinion, your role is to be a guide, a support and creator of a safe place for your children to learn. Simply being a great role model with your own stuff and learning how to organize will also empower the rest of the family.

Now is the time to be honest with yourself. Are you more attached to the toys than your kids? I have seen it time and time again. Your attachment may come from the amount of money the toy cost, to who gave it to your child, to the memories you have of your child playing with it. When you have a heart palpitation when the kid picks out the train set he no longer plays with, ask your self where it is coming from. You may find that you have more resistance with letting go of toys than they do AND you could be passing that along to them unknowingly.

It is especially important that you organize WITH your child, and not do it FOR them. They will enjoy having you as an organizing buddy.

Take time to really play with your children. This will give you a better idea of why they like certain toys and connect deeper with you child. Plus we all need more playtime in our lives!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Christmas Toys 2010: How to Pick the Perfect Presents for Your Children!

Shoppers will definitely not be disappointed with the selection for Christmas Toys 2010, but as always, shopping early will be essential if you want to get your hands on some of the most sought after and popular toys that all children want! Retailers are known to be cautious when it comes to ordering large quantities of certain toys, so buyers should be aware the hottest Christmas Toys this year may be in very limited supply!

As parents begin to look for perfect Christmas toys 2010 for their children, whether in retail stores or online, they will ultimately have to decide which toys are the best ones for their children. Just because your child thinks that he or she "must have" the latest and most popular, toy does not necessarily make it appropriate for him or her!

If you are new to toy shopping or a seasoned veteran, you should keep the following tips in mind when shopping for Christmas toys 2010! You should always pick toys that are appropriate for your child's age and you should check out whether it's meant to be played by one child or more, especially if your child is an only child! It goes without saying that you should always make sure that a toy is safe and that it's built using high quality materials! Finally, it's also a good idea to go for toys that have other uses other than entertainment, like providing your child with exercise or educational toys that can help in the development of your child's skills and intelligence!

Choosing toys for your children or for those of your friends and relatives should always be done with the child you're choosing the toys for in mind! You should ask yourself questions like "are they creative, adventurous, do they like action figures or they prefer board games and jigsaw puzzles?". Another factor to always keep in mind while choosing your Christmas Toys 2010, is that children change their interests very frequently which means that toys they had-to-have for Christmas may be tossed aside tomorrow. Overwhelming children toys is another thing to consider when shopping. If at all possible, you should make sure you purchase the one toy that they want the most!

The last thing to keep in mind is that whatever Christmas toys you choose, they will definitely help make Christmas a special and magical time!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Melissa and Doug Wooden Puzzles and Their Benefits

Wooden puzzles offer you the unique benefits of being fun as well as educative all at once, which helps reveal exactly why they are so well received. They are utilised by men and women of just about all ages and also walks of life from nursery schools plus day care centers to schools, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, in which they grant remedy and teaching of lost or damaged abilities for all individuals who have endured a cerebrovascular event or mental issues.

Know-how which little ones discover turns into an element of their personal foundation while they grow. Thinking skills, thought developing, sequencing, together with analytical competence are increased utilizing these kind of wooden toys. Community skills and how to communicate with other people could be worked out via actively playing with wooden puzzles.

Two from the top retailing manufacturers are Schylling and Melissa and Doug Wooden Puzzles. These manufacturers design and style their wooden puzzles in order to expressly include learning skills. Melissa and Doug can be described as corporation that designs their particular puzzles for being educative not to mention fun with regard to young children and parents likewise. They released the 1st wooden puzzle in 1991, the particular Fuzzy Farm. This puzzle has 4 creatures (pig, sheep, duck, and cow). Each animal is fuzzy, which will help grow the child's sensory capabilities and additionally teaches matching competencies.

Melissa and Doug Wooden puzzles could certainly facilitate the refinement regarding vocabulary together with communicating abilities regarding toddlers and preschool kids. As you converse with your little one while they're having fun using the puzzle, children get started on learning the appropriate phrase structure as well as word use. This specific interaction increases their understanding, vocab and concept of language.

Wooden puzzles help introduce small children and preschool boys and girls to a number of diverse topics. Melissa and Doug puzzles contain topics like farm creatures, ocean life, our solar system, geography and an array of additional facets of living and life. Older children discover the alphabet and numbers with puzzles. Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles include several map puzzles, like a USA, Canada, and also the planet. These types of unique teaching aid also can serve being a spiritual educative resource, such as Baby Moses, Adam and Eve, Jesus along with other Bible figures. The secrets to good results are deciding on the appropriate theme and matching the child's age group and abilities using the suitable puzzle.

Wooden puzzles are certainly not all similar. We quite often think of all of them as jigsaw form with about 6 to 24 big chunky pieces. But the truth is, there are numerous different types. Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles like the peg type puzzles are made with regard to preschoolers to match the particular parts placing them into distinctively shaped openings. This kind of simple puzzle teaches motor capabilities and improves hand-eye coordination. Additionally, it facilitates cognitive growth as the child tries to analyze and recognize the parts as they carry them and try to determine which hole it will eventually match into. Other inspiring solutions involve wooden puzzles which make sounds, for example farm wildlife and emergency autos, whilst training kids easy methods to match the bits to different shapes.

One additional distinct approach is larger sizes designed for the floor. The Beginning Skills Floor puzzle is actually four in one; numbers, figures, colors, plus the alphabet. Colorful pieces cleverly provide toddlers with a new discovering experience because they must match every single piece correctly. A great model of a floor puzzle may be the Zoo Friends Circular Floor Puzzle, another puzzle from Melissa and Doug Wooden Toys. It contains five animals, every one having a quick phrase, for example "lion is standing." This 24" floor puzzle teaches children an action that the animal is doing (sitting, standing, walking), and illustrates the animal in movement. Also, the basic sentence will help show kids realize that letters mix to generate words.

Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles offer a product for everybody. For some children, the part of hearing and seeing raises their particular learning capability. For some others, the hands-on aspect helps them build physical skills. For little ones of any age, they provide an excellent learning tool.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

How to Choose the Best Toys For Kids

Choosing the best toys for kids can be fun. But beyond fun, toys offer children a whole host of learning experiences. To help kids develop, grow and learn, it is important to provide them with learning toys that best meet these developmental needs.

Here are ten tips to help you pick out the best learning toys for kids:

1. Look at every toy as a learning tool. When choosing a toy, consider the child's potential learning experience while playing with this particular toy. Does it encourage skills that are valuable to the child at this stage? Is it the best toy for the child at this age? Visit the Learning Centre to learn more about age-appropriate toys for your child.

2. Make sure it is fun to play with. Children are naturally attracted to toys that can teach them something. If a learning toy is also fun, a child will want to play with it more often and for longer periods of time - the best of both worlds.

3. Choose the correct level of complexity. Help children build confidence and self-esteem by choosing toys to help them feel successful. The best toys will have a level of difficulty that is challenging enough to require some effort, but not so difficult as to be frustrating or intimidating. Remember, a little work on their part results in a greater sense of accomplishment. And determination to succeed is greatly enhanced when a child feels confident about their chance of success. As they get older, they will learn to stick to a task until it is completed even when difficult.

4. Match toys with the child's interests. Children's preoccupations differ. Some kids love to make believe, turning every toy and object into something else. Others are focused on the real world, wanting to do 'real' things with 'real' tools. Still others are fascinated with how things work - absorbing every detail and tidbit of information, dismantling toys and objects to try to better understand the world around them. Knowing a child's interests will help you to choose the best toys.

5. Consider the child's attention span. Kids who can sit and draw or do puzzles for hours may need some encouragement to get outdoors and be active. On the other hand, if the child is as busy as a little bee and rarely sits still, initially introducing quiet activities that take only a few minutes to do, and gradually presenting some that are more time-consuming, will help develop the child's ability to concentrate. Keep in mind that it is completely normal for young children to have short attention spans. Attention spans increase naturally as a child develops.

6. Encourage independent play. Some of the best learning toys are those that children play with on their own. As kids play and figure things out on their own, they not only develop independence, they also learn to solve problems, creating a sense of satisfaction and pride. Puzzles and building blocks are ideal for developing independent play.

7. Select open-ended toys that a child can play with in several different ways . Toys that allow for open-ended play help children develop creative thinking and imagination and keep children interested for longer periods of time. Discovering new ways of playing with an old toy can sometimes be as much fun as getting a new one.

8. Help children develop social and communication skills. Look for learning toys that promote cooperation, sharing, and turn-taking. For little ones it may be toys that encourage any kind of group play. For older children these valuable skills are easily encouraged with board games.

9. Promote fitness and overall health. Toys that get kids moving and burning energy are exhilarating. Developing confidence in their muscle strength, coordination and balance gives kids a leg up when attempting unfamiliar physical tasks.

10. Keep other family members in mind. Is there a baby or toddler in the house? If so, watch out for toys consisting of small parts. Are there other children that may want to join in on a group game or activity? Do Mom and Dad have time to help with instructions or provide guidance to accomplish a particular creative project? Choose games and learning toys that take family dynamics into account.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Children valuable life skills and doing puzzles Revealed

Puzzle toys have long been preferred learning. Parents often underestimate the value of riddles and their role in promoting the capacity of basic education is a child. putting together a puzzle, the hand-eye coordination skills of a child through sharp as any being processed magical "space suit" in right of his hitting form. puzzle promote cognitive development, such as memory, problem solving and decision as skills. Iftogether with others to promote social interaction puzzle helps to develop the social skills of a child. The educational value of a puzzle does not stop with basic educational skills, puzzles also teach techniques such as patience, perseverance and self-esteem, for example. The attitude with which the child makes a puzzle, a small display and reflection, as they can and they relate to life as they mature.

Puzzles teach patience, patience. As definedin the Encarta Dictionary: "Patience is the ability to wait without being upset or angry and to stay calm in the face of difficulties." The concept of waiting is difficult for a child. With a puzzle as an example, we can handle our children the importance of patience, every piece in place, sometimes easily, sometimes by trial and error. When his patience is exercised, you will begin to understand that with every little 'patience and he will eventually adaptThe desired result is achieved by creating its reward at the end. Life (and puzzles), not the instant gratification "I want it now, I have it now," as the world's understanding of a child. The award is the result of delayed gratification. As adults we realize the benefits of working toward a goal. We learn that ethics and to achieve this over time, hard work and perseverance. As a result, you get the satisfaction of the performance, the reward isitself. Bring your child to compare the riddle of life - how often do things that make no sense if not all the facts (pieces)? We learn through patience that each piece image with the entire contribution or offer variable appearance at all. Puzzles help children understand that when all the facts (pieces), organized and resolved to put together not able to see mystery its completionTo see the whole picture.

Persistence: a different life skills children learn the puzzle is the persistence. This means that a permanent or persistent problems continue despite difficulties or obstacles. It 'difficult for children to make progress in the face of obstacles. Sometimes these obstacles can hinder a child's self-esteem and value that has to give life itself. promoted the example of a puzzle and adults, children learn that obstacles should not havenegative impact on a job or life. Children learn with perseverance to achieve goals and make up to support projects in order to reap their reward, and eventually you'll see the whole picture. With a puzzle, you can teach your child to take the time to think about color, shape and form as it relates to a room, and how each piece can be placed in the correct position by trial and error. With logical thinking and problem solving skills, ask your child to tell how the pieces of the puzzlethe whole picture. Questions like: "Where do you think this piece should go," or encourage your child's perseverance, saying: "I like how you keep trying." Let your child know that with perseverance almost everything in life is at hand. With the right perspective, children can finally solve their problems (or complete their puzzle).

VALUE / Wörth: puzzles that help children know the importance of the picture puzzle is not clear, with a piece of, as well asa person in life is more valuable than he / she interacts with other people. One person (an isolated piece of the puzzle) is significant in terms of own (ie self-concept), but a connection or relationship with one or more other pieces to create an entire image, and that a feeling of increased self-esteem . We are unique in our own individual way. With us, we can have a significant impact, but has worked hard to life can take on a broader meaning. What to do with aPuzzle piece? What value or value? Help your child understand some things do not make sense on their own, but can be implemented in combination with other pieces, a new concept.

Puzzles teach children to help stretch their imagination. their pleasure and the rewards will be inevitable, with tenacity and perseverance, not only in the completion of their puzzle, but in life. puzzles are an educational value of the toy a lot when you work independently, but can takewhole new meaning when taught by a "master", which, like any other piece of a puzzle piece, its size, shape and color. Just as a piece of the puzzle, children can learn their individual contribution to life brings its own reward, because they produce each piece of the puzzle the whole picture.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Melissa and Doug Puzzles

One of the popular activity products are Melissa and Doug puzzles. There are several kinds of these puzzles and all designed not only to entertain your little angels with something to do but also as an aid in educating them. These puzzles can positively introduce or reinforce positive social principles and values that will be beneficial to a child's well-being.

One of the puzzles that will certainly entertain and educate the little angels in your life is the Sea Life Puzzle Set. This is a delightful set of six wooden jigsaw puzzles that feature some popular underwater friends such as the sea turtle, sea star, sea crab, and more. All it takes to assemble these bright and colorful puzzles are two to eleven pieces. Because they can easily be completed, it helps in building confidence, hand-eye coordination, and motor skills of kids 2 years and older.

Another jigsaw puzzle set that kids, especially boys, will love to play with is the Dinosaur Jigsaw Puzzles in a Box. The set includes four wooden, 12-piece dinosaur jigsaw puzzles that include a triceratops, an apatosaurus, a stegosaurus, and a T-Rex. Each is stored in separate compartments of a sturdy wooden box, with the slide-on box lid doubling as a convenient puzzle board. Each puzzle piece is shape-coded on the back for easy sorting. Perfect for kids 3 years and older, this puzzle is great to bring along when you are travelling with your little angels to keep them entertained during trips.

These are just some of the Melissa and Doug puzzles that your kids will certainly have a fun time with.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Diego Toys and Their Educational Value

By allowing our kids to watch TV programs like Dora The Explorer or play with 'Diego toys' we are trying to open them up to the best opportunities through developing their hunger for learning. Parents all want what's best for their offspring including the best in education and all the successes that may come with it. A common belief is that that earlier a child starts to develop to more their brain will absorb thus increasing their chances of success. However I believe it's not only the amount of new information a young mind can/ will absorb but the ability to process that information.

For the right age group it's most beneficial for young children to play, this allows them to be creative and help to develop their individuality, imagination and thinking ability. For a later age group more challenging tasks or games like Lego or puzzles might be best these are suitable for helping to develop their problem solving skills, and decision making capability.

When it comes to problem solving skills or trying to learn a new task I think a fun, brightly coloured and interactive program is great for the kids. Where languages are involved like in Dora the explorer or Go- Diego-Go there are many strengths and benefits. One such strength is breaking the race barrier due to the multi cultural characters. Also the inclusion of different languages is a challenge for the child and a valuable method of pushing their thinking ability at an early age. The benefit of these programs and games is that by working the mind the child they may optimise their learning and reach their full potential.

The Diego toys range and Dora the explorer toys and DVD's are a way of implementing educational toys into a market with the maximum benefit to the kids.