Fun can also be an ally of learning, whether at home or in school. Educational toys play an important role in this since they attract children’s attention while providing stimuli for the development of different skills.
They require adult guidance, promote interaction with other participants and provide logical thinking, concentration, mental, cognitive, and social development exercises. See below for some information that will help you choose the best educational toys for your child.
What is a pedagogical toy?
Unlike educational toys, which can be explored by the child independently, educational toys must be presented and used with an adult present, precisely to ensure that the child learns. In other words, the adult guides the game, proposes challenges, encourages, and provokes reflections in the child, either individually or in groups. Of course, the objects may be used by the little ones in other situations, but in order for them to contribute to development, it is important that those responsible for them actively participate at some point.
Examples of educational toys that help with literacy
Educational toys can be included in children’s routines from the first months of life. However, for the literacy process, some of them have great contributions. Check them out.
Drawing and writing blackboard
A blackboard to draw and write stimulates creativity, motor coordination, and the child’s playful relationship with letters. They can practise freehand drawing and associating them with words, practise spelling letters by tracing dotted lines, and practise other activities proposed by their family. The blackboard is one of the most useful educational toys in childhood, as it can be used for studying and other games even at an older age.
Memory games with words
In the literacy phase, or even when the child begins to show interest in written communication, it is worth bringing educational toys that associate letters and words with objects. A good tip is memory games. This is because it is an easy-to-understand and fun game. When they use words and letters, they help in the association of written and verbal communication.
Pedagogical toys that fit together and form words
Pedagogical fitting-together toys also provide various stimuli for child development, especially when associated with word formation. They can be free-form blocks or with an obligatory sequence, related to an object that needs to be named.
The pieces can be represented with letters or syllables, and even the experience of not being able to put words together can be valuable for the child, as it works on frustration. In other words, the child can name their feelings and be guided to channel them in the healthiest way.
Handwriting exercise kits
Calligraphy kits are used to practice the correct way of writing letters and words, either in cursive format or in shaped letters, also called sticks. Some of them are reusable, allowing the cards to be erased and filled several times.
Each chart has letters in dotted form and a space for free repetition. In this case, adults can guide the movements and comfortable gripping of the pen, as well as reinforce that regular exercise improves the skills that need to be developed.
It is important that educational toys are introduced into the children’s routine from an early age, bringing quality time together as family members. That is, all attention should be focused on the activity, turning off televisions, mobile phones, and other distractions. A tip is to establish a time or day in the child’s routine just for that activity.
