Buying toys for kids, such as young children and babies, can be fun but a bit tricky. These types of kids are constantly putting things in their mouths, noses, ears, etc. What's more, they are extremely impressionable. Whereas kids will be kids, doing all you can to protect them can help keep them safer. Through the years, young children have changed very little. The toys they play with, however, have morphed considerably.
Today, we are constantly bombarded with type after type of media-oriented apps, software, digital media-based platforms, sensory-stimulating light and noise toys, and more. It can be overwhelming, to say the least, trying to figure out which toys are best for a particular child.
When shopping for toys, remember some of these helpful tips:
COMPUTER GAME AND VIDEOGAME USE SHOULD BE LIMITED
In the first place, video games and computer games encourage indoor play time. For example, playing on the beach or in a sandbox is the perfect opportunity for pushing around construction vehicles. Outdoor playtime is as important as indoor, if not more so. A child needs the physical activity that they experience out in the fresh air.
For children two years of age and older, including computer and television use, total screen time should be limited to under one hour each day. It should be avoided completely for kids under two years of age. Children should only be allowed to play with developmentally appropriate video and computer games if they are younger than five years of age. If they can be accompanied by a caregiver or parent during play, all the better.
AVOID TOYS THAT PROMOTE GENDER OR RACE STEREOTYPES
Earlier, we referred to how toys have changed through the years. So have our expectations of what boys do and what girls do. Different styles of play and different gender roles should be explored by all children. The right toys will offer them the opportunity to do so. Children's puzzles, books, and figures showing women and men in diverse and non-stereotypical gender roles are beneficial (i.e., female police officers, male nurses, working moms, stay-at-home dads, etc.).
EDUCATIONAL LABELS – DO THEY MEAN WHAT THEY SAY?
Just because a toy is labeled "educational", is it really? Truth be told, not necessarily. Most apps, computer games, and tablets are labeled "educational", even though many aren't. Educational toys target shapes, the ABCs, and other memory skills. But where school readiness is concerned, that's only part of the equation. Life and school skills that need to be learned by children also consist of flexible thinking, creativeness, emotion management, impulse control, and more. These are learned from family and friends through social and unstructured play.
TOYS OF ALL KINDS AT KIDPOWERED
When it comes to toys, we have all types and sorts. Each and every item we sell is high-quality and can last your child throughout many social play dates or solitary at-home play sessions. On our website, you can shop by theme, brand, or category. You can also simply browse our entire inventory for the perfect new toy for birthdays, holidays, or just because.
Shop Kidpowered today. You'll be amazed at not only the wide selection but the imagination that has been applied in the making and variety of these toys!