Parents should really be commended for the way they embrace the spirit of the holiday season. They endure adverse weather, long lines, and - often - disappointment in their search for that perfect holiday gift for their child. Of course, most of us would endure that and a whole lot more to see our kids happy.
However, what if this year you did something a little different? Rather than just chasing whatever the toy-of-the-moment is, what if you tried to get your child a gift that actually taught him something (besides video game hand-eye coordination)? We all know that there are countless games out there and some of them are ultra cool, but I think parents have an obligation to get at least one or two gifts that also teach their children something in addition to just being a fun toy. Keeping that in mind, here is a short list of neat teaching toys for kids:
Vtech Mobigo Touch Learning System: This is an awesome handheld learning/gaming system for kids. It helps encourage the development of basic, rudimentary skills in counting, spelling and problem-solving. Moreover, the state-of-the-art touchscreen gives gameplay a contemporary feel, while the slide-out QWERTY provides an introduction to the standard keyboard layout. In shortm it is a very engaging and interactive gift.
Fisher-Price Storybook Rhymes: Another good product geared towards merging learning and fun, Storybook Rhymes does a fine job of introducing the rudiments of letters and numbers. Presented in the concept of storybook, it goes over numbers 1-3 and the first three letters of the alphabet. It also introduces three basic colors. The book contains classic nursery rhymes (e.g., "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"), which are sang as the child flips through the pages. It is a fun, interactive toy that kids will enjoy.
Leapfrog Phonics Pond: This device (which has the letters of the alphabet on buttons on its front) does a great job of teaching phonics in various ways, including: (a) Finding Letters by Sound - Children are given the sound of a letter and asked to identify it; (b) Spelling - Various words are spelled out, and children are asked to press the corresponding letters that make up that word; and (c) Music - Children are prompted to press a letter, which will cause music to be played - mostly perennial favorites like "This Old Man," "Yankee Doodle," and the like.
It should be clearly understood the list above is by no means everything you might be able to find in terms of educatonal gift ideas. There's a myriad of exceptional toys and gifts out there that will help your child reach his full potential, while also being a lot of fun. In my opinion, you'd be giving your child the best of both worlds with such a gift, which is something they may not understand now but which will serve them well in the future.
However, what if this year you did something a little different? Rather than just chasing whatever the toy-of-the-moment is, what if you tried to get your child a gift that actually taught him something (besides video game hand-eye coordination)? We all know that there are countless games out there and some of them are ultra cool, but I think parents have an obligation to get at least one or two gifts that also teach their children something in addition to just being a fun toy. Keeping that in mind, here is a short list of neat teaching toys for kids:
Vtech Mobigo Touch Learning System: This is an awesome handheld learning/gaming system for kids. It helps encourage the development of basic, rudimentary skills in counting, spelling and problem-solving. Moreover, the state-of-the-art touchscreen gives gameplay a contemporary feel, while the slide-out QWERTY provides an introduction to the standard keyboard layout. In shortm it is a very engaging and interactive gift.
Fisher-Price Storybook Rhymes: Another good product geared towards merging learning and fun, Storybook Rhymes does a fine job of introducing the rudiments of letters and numbers. Presented in the concept of storybook, it goes over numbers 1-3 and the first three letters of the alphabet. It also introduces three basic colors. The book contains classic nursery rhymes (e.g., "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"), which are sang as the child flips through the pages. It is a fun, interactive toy that kids will enjoy.
Leapfrog Phonics Pond: This device (which has the letters of the alphabet on buttons on its front) does a great job of teaching phonics in various ways, including: (a) Finding Letters by Sound - Children are given the sound of a letter and asked to identify it; (b) Spelling - Various words are spelled out, and children are asked to press the corresponding letters that make up that word; and (c) Music - Children are prompted to press a letter, which will cause music to be played - mostly perennial favorites like "This Old Man," "Yankee Doodle," and the like.
It should be clearly understood the list above is by no means everything you might be able to find in terms of educatonal gift ideas. There's a myriad of exceptional toys and gifts out there that will help your child reach his full potential, while also being a lot of fun. In my opinion, you'd be giving your child the best of both worlds with such a gift, which is something they may not understand now but which will serve them well in the future.
About the Author:
For great educational toys and gifts visit www.cooltoysandgifts .com to find learning toys and other cool toys and gifts.
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