As an educator, it is essential to prepare age-appropriate toys that offer so much more than just pure joy. The key to assembling the correct set of toys for the different age groups is to remember that toys help supplement a child’s education and overall development.
THE OUTDOORS
We have to always bear in mind that learning can happen outside of the classroom as well. In fact, some of the most valuable learning encounters happen outdoors. Children learn best and store information through hands-on learning with the aid of educational toys that are fun to them. Such toys can range from interactive books and games to experimental kits. Finding the right toys that children enjoy is the way to create the most efficient educational journey for any child.
WORKBOOKS
Workbooks or worksheets are great at explaining different concepts which can cover the extensive list of topics. The subjects may comprise of simple instructions, appealing illustrations, and systematic pages that will not be too daunting for children.
EXPERIMENTAL KITS
Experimental kits allow children to take on different scenarios that are otherwise not available in a regular classroom setting. They can be tasked to mix substances, learn about a specimen, collect certain samples, and more. Apart from being highly engaging, experimental kits are also great at teaching children certain topics that are interesting and educational.
BUILDING TOYS
Building toys help build on a child’s creativity. The huge variety of colors and shapes makes it so much easier for children to put things together collaboratively. Topics like symmetry, problem-solving, spatial recognition, and design are some of the learning skills they will get to pick up while playing.
HANDS-ON ACTIVITY BOOKS
Hands-on activities are often highly anticipated by children of all ages. They prefer hands-on activities where they can play while learning to full-on theory lessons where just texts and graphics alone may be dull to them. Activity books may include activities like drawing and painting, pasting stickers, following dots, and so much more.
GARDENING KITS
Gardening kits are great at teaching children how to grow and maintain their own plants. They get to observe their own plant each day and learn about the different growth steps of different types of plants. It is definitely much more intriguing to learn about plant life cycles with an actual plant as compared to learning them through texts and graphics from a book.
MATH KITS
A huge percentage of children face problems with Math. It is not because it is a tough topic to understand but it is the set of concepts being taught which may seem daunting to children as the topics get harder as they go. Math kits can change the way children perceive the subject with Math questions being turned into games. The concept is to make learning interactive and fun so as to get their full attention. Once they are focused, they have a higher tendency to understand much more clearly and remember what they have learnt.
There are plenty more toy options which educators can prepare for their class depending on the age of the students as well as their areas of interests. This alternative method of learning is definitely much more interesting and have higher chances of locking in the attention of every student.