November 26, 2011
Q&A: Do you really believe that ‘educational’ toys help your child get smarter?
Question by Nancy: Do you really believe that ‘educational’ toys help your child get smarter?
Also, is that your main goal? A smart child.
If so, how did you get where you were without such toys?
Do you have your child/children watch an educational video on a daily basis?
Now that these toys and videos have become so popular and everyone is using them to get their child “ahead of everyone else” aren’t all the kids back on the same playing field?
Best answer:
Answer by jen
I don’t think educational toys are necessary for a child to be smart. I don’t think they hurt, either. Toys and play are important for children’s development, but they don’t have to be toys that recite the abc’s. They can be a bowl of water and measuring cups or whatever.
My main goal is a healthy, happy child. I believe that her life will be easier if she’s smart, though.
No. I don’t want my daughter watching tv yet (at 17 months). Educational or not. I would rather interact with her, talk to her, read to her, and have her play with various toys which she can manipulate.
I see what you mean about the even playing field but not every kid has those. Not every kid is read to, or talked to, or has things explained to them, either. Unfortunately, not all kids have the nutrition that will allow their brains and bodies to develop the best they possibly can. So no I don’t think it’s a completely even playing field, with or without the educational toys and videos.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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4 Comments on Q&A: Do you really believe that ‘educational’ toys help your child get smarter? »
November 26, 2011
Shaes Mommy @ 8:53 pm:
I think anything that helps a child learn coordination and reading or learning to talk is good, but I dont think you need expensive toys to do that. In my opinion the best thing for kids is interaction with their parents. I personally have never worried about my daughter being ahead of others, but i want her to progress at a healthy level. Plus its fun playing with her!;)
NCY @ 9:32 pm:
I don’t, i read to them daily, and i have flash cards with the abc’s and also with small words that i make myself, i don’t buy my children lots of toys, i don’t have the patience to be picking them up all they or the money to buy them and then see them on the floor or broken.
I never played with these toys when i was younger but my mom did teach me how to read before entering kindergarten and this is exactly what i’m doing with my kids. my oldest is in KG but can already read fluently and my two year old is starting to recognize letters.
I don’t mean to be offensive with anyone who uses these toys but i’ve always believed that these educational toys are for kids with lazy parents, parents who don’t want to sit with their kids and teach them so they have machines doing the work for them. I think the best way to teach children is to do it the old-fashioned way, sitting with them, reading and talking, you not only teach them to read and be more outspoken but you actually build a bond and spend quality time with them.
My main goal isn’t for them to be the smartest, just the best they can, i want them to be able to read in public without feeling embarrassed and i want them to be able to have an intelligent conversation with anyone without feeling overshadowed.
Pedsgurl @ 10:14 pm:
I don’t think toys replace a parent ( or one on one teaching) but they can reinforce what a parent has taught.
I don’t think a child who has all the latest and greatest toys is at an advantage at all..nothing can replace what is learned through discovering the world for yourself…getting outside or reading in books, going to museums.
B @ 10:17 pm:
I agree with most of the other posters. I don’t think these toys give an advantage or disadvantage either way. I do disagree about the post that they are for kids with lazy parents. My kids do have some of those toys but I don’t let them replace me teaching them. I still use flashcards, I still read to them & I still teach them new things through talking and playing with them. Also, my main goal is to have a healthy & happy child that will do the best that they can. They don’t have to be smarter than other children. As long as they try their best is all that matters to me.
P.S. The 1rst poster had a great answer.