Educational Toys – Choosing Playthings That Are Truly Learning Toys
(PRWEB) August 22, 2013 -- How to know a good educational toy when you see one? There are so many toys packaged as educational, so what should you know that will help you choose the best toys for your child?
There are three ways to think about educational toys - do they promote convergent thinking, divergent thinking or both.
Convergent thinking is the ability to learn facts, follow instructions and to come to an answer. This is an important fundamental type of learning, since it leads the child to decide on a single correct answer. Educational toys that promote convergent thinking are puzzles, flash cards, colors and shapes because they only have one correct answer or only one way to put them together. A good example of this the Hape Turtle Pull Along Shape Sorter. This is a great eco-friendly toy that is made of wood with bright colors. It promotes convergent thinking as children identify specific shapes with only one correct answer.
Divergent thinking is the process that explores many possible solutions, creates new ideas and solves problems. Divergent thinkers are usually engineers, managers and leaders, since they are generally able to think outside the box. Educational toys that promote this kind of learning are arts and crafts, scientific concepts, music, role playing with dress up costumes that encourage imagination and socialization in creative ways. A great example of divergent thinking toy is the Thames and Komos Solar Power Science Kit. This kit allows a child to create solar powered vehicles using instructions and their own imagination.
Many educators agree that a child needs a strong foundation in divergent thinking as well as convergent thinking. Construction toys promote convergent thinking while simultaneously setting the environment for creative divergent thinking. As a child follows the instructions to build the model or building on the box, he or she will gain knowledge and experience with the construction pieces. Once the project is complete using the instructions gives a sense of achievement and reinforces confidence. Often this emotion leads to wanting to build using their own ideas (divergent thinking) with the same pieces they just finished using. Educational toys that promote both convergent and divergent thinking are building blocks, science experiments, robots, building remote control cars.
BricTek building blocks offer the best of both educational thinking processes. BricTek blocks are compatible with other popular building blocks and allow for social play, creative building.
Harold Burger a sixth grade math and science teacher, stated “a good educational toy will provide a child the ability to play without needing a lot of experience or knowledge and will also provide them with tougher challenges as their experience and knowledge increases. “
Good educational construction toys will harness that emotional energy to move the child right into divergent play. If the product you are looking at cannot be reconfigured by a child to build their own ideas, it may help them with their convergent thinking, but will probably not teach divergent skills.
Playfully Ever After, LLC
Based in North-Texas, Playfully Ever After is an internet toy retailer specializing in educational toys, games, pretend play costumes, and science kits. Established in 2012, they aim to inspire creativity and imagination in children and adults alike, living by the motto "and they all lived Playfully Ever After."
John Burger, Playfully Ever After, https://www.playfullyeverafter.com/, 972-75-5195, [email protected]
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