Things To Consider When Buying Your Child Toys
Walking through the toy aisle in the store is an overwhelming experience all on its own, let alone if you have children with you also pointing at and touching everything they can. There’s a lot of noise, color, and textures, so understandably, you’re wondering where to even begin.
You face the battle of allowing your children to pick out the thing that caught their attention for two minutes, or you choose something that fits their developmental needs. Here’s an easy list of things to consider when buying your child toys!
Is It Age Appropriate?
One of the first things you need to look for is the age range on the toy and compare it to your child’s age, both developmentally and physically. The perfect toy might be years ahead of or behind your child, and you’ll increase their chances of learning and playing with it if it’s in their proper age range.
Age appropriateness is also something to consider when buying a gift for someone else’s child. You don’t want to offend the parent or the child by buying something too young or too old for them.
Does It Encourage Creative Thinking?
A toy with a “dead end” result typically isn’t fun for children. They love to use their imagination, and this is also developmentally necessary.
A set of building blocks will encourage creative thinking in young children. The appropriate age for building blocks may depend on your child’s development, but most block sets include a recommended age to give you a place to start.
Can It Grow With Your Child?
There are a lot of expenses to keep up with when you have children, and the number of toys you buy can add up quickly. Before you know it, you have too many, and you’re donating them one by one.
The best way to invest your money into toys is to ensure they grow with your child. Something you buy for them at age one should still be pliable to much of their toddlerhood.
Is It Fostering a Love for Learning?
A significant thing to consider when buying your child toys is fostering a love for learning. Learning is a life-long process, so getting them to enjoy it from the start is essential to their future success.
Specifically, young children are like sponges and learn at lightspeed. Take advantage of the “sponge” period and nurture a healthy relationship with learning through their toys.