We all love toys, that is why we are reading this.  But, besides liking to play with a particular toy, there are reasons why we like it.

• The toy is safe for our children to play with.    I am so glad that I refused to carry Buckyballs.  The Consumer Safety Board just made this annoucement that ordered a halt to sale of Buckyballs magnetic toys on Wednesday, calling them a serious hazard in the panel’s first stop-sale order in 11 years. I refused to ever carry them.
  Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/07/26/cpsc-bans-sale-buckyballs-magnetic-toys-cites-hazard/#ixzz21l24xYcq
• The toy is age appropriate.   Our children are very smart.  They seem to learn things so much sooner because of the wonderful programs available on the internet.  But we must remember, they are children & they need to run, jump, manipulate, create, build.  All necessities to develop mentally, physically and socially.
• The toy engages the child.   The toy encourages open-ended play so that the child spends time playing.
• The toy grows with the child.  I great toy introduces and reinforces age-specific skills and helps the child advance from one developmental stage to the next.  I love The Smart Max Magnetic toy.  Sam & I gave it to the twins.  They stuck magnets on anything they could, now they are making long lines of magnets and balls, also learning that some pieces attract & repel.  Their parents are teaching them to make shapes, they talk about the colors, patterning.  Soon, they will be making bridges & arches.  Age appropriate, starting at 1 yr old.  Age range: endless.
• Is it fun?  If it has all of the above elements, it sure is.

I hope that you have enjoyed this blog.  Please share it and reply to it.  Look for more to come.

{ July 26th, 2012 | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments }