Flash in the Pan

The saying, "Flash in the pan" is believed to have originated during the California Gold Rush of the mid 19th century. As prospectors panned for gold they became excited when they saw something flashing in the pan. However, their hope was soon turned to disappointment when it proved not to be gold but only a "flash in the pan." The phrase "Flash in the pan" is defined as "something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning."

What is it that you look for when searching for products that you desire to purchase. Something of good quality or flash. Interestingly enough market researchers still draw a blank as they continue to develop advertising  strategies for the consumer to purchase various products. There is a basic pattern that consumers tend to follow in the process of making a decision to purchase...

• Problem recognition: The consumer perceives that he has a want or need
• Information search: The consumer seeks information to help determine how this want or need might be met
• Alternative evaluation: Reasoning made by the consumer as to whether they will or will not purchase a particular product
• Purchase decision: The stage of the consumers buying process when the purchase decision is actually made
• Post-purchase behavior: The activities and experiences that follow a purchase

Although consumers may follow this pattern many variables still come into play. For instance, auto dealers say that the majority of people that are serious about making a purchase spend about 10 percent of their time considering all the features and about 90 percent of their time on appearance, especially the color. However, when the same individual make a decision on purchasing an appliance almost a complete opposite may apply. Why? individual interests, understanding and attitudes become a major factor.

The consumer must be interested in the product and that the product is relevant and able to meet their need. Once interest is in a products is established, the consumer must be able to understand why and how the product meets their need. Finally, the consumer must be persuaded that the product will meet or exceed their need which is to have a positive attitude towards the product. 

So when searching for the right educational toys to purchase, quality will always supersede flash. Consumers, especially parents and caregivers should avoid spending a lot of time on considering the flashy features of an educational toy and spend more time in researching the quality and benefits that will meet the needs of their child.  A little research will go a long way and will save consumers money in the long run. Remember, "something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning" is certainly not what any parent or caregiver would want for their child. 

Don't Stop Playing

How much time do you purposefully spend playing with your six month to six year old child? Believe it or not over the last two decades child's play has decreased 50%. However, years of research has shown that during early childhood stages of growth, children develop skills that they can only get through play. Early childhood play is also crucial to the phys­i­cal, intel­lec­tual, and social-emotional devel­op­ment at all ages, especially from six months to six years of age. 

The decline of early childhood play can be linked to the pressures that have been place on educators and parents mainly through policy makers that early academics will lead to a greater success in life. Although some studies conclude that some children may benefit from a greater diet of academics than play, it is not true in most cases. Some of the problems that research has discovered in the study of academia vs play is that the lack of self-initiated forms of play, imaginative play, the development of social skills and loving interactive play have actually resulted in a higher level anx­i­ety and neg­a­tive atti­tudes in chil­dren. Research also reveals that children who have had a large portion of play time removed from their daily schedule and have had it replaced with academic studies, in most incidences, show little to no advan­tages in read­ing and math achieve­ment over children who have a fair amount of daily play time.

Another thing to consider, play is motivated by pleasure not pressure and it cannot be legislated because it is a natural response that opens the door to early childhood development. This is where educational toys play a major role in both academic and play time for children. Educational toys provide a venue for children to expand their imagination, enhance their motor shills, increase their curiosity, stimulate their creativity, and promote learning while having fun. They also promote interaction between adults and children. Research shows that learning is enhanced when adults participate in daily play with children. 

As children play, their young minds are stimulated which encourages them to interact and explore the world around them. Their play is actually preparing them for future tasks and adulthood. Another benefit of introducing educational toys into a child's daily play time during their early years is that they can provide the stimulation and experiences that create a foundation of learning and growing.

Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning....They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play.
--Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

Are Your Child's Toys Safe?

Educational toys are one of the best ways to facilitate the educational and developmental growth of a child as well as promote strong relationship building between parent and child. However, when choosing a toy(s) for a child, there are three things that consumers should keep in mind before purchasing any toy. Is the toy(s) safe, affordable and age (developmental) appropriate. 

In today's toy manufacturing market, government regulations and improved safety standards have made most toys safe when used in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. However, although regulations and standards for toy manufacturing has improved over the years, parents and caregivers need to take note that this does not mean that a toy is safe. To determine a toy safety considerations should be made as to how much uses or abuse the toy may experience as well as how the toy is to be used for its optimum enjoyment. Also keep in mind that toy safety goes beyond its basic construction. For instance, some toys may pose an emotional or social risk which also renders them unsafe, such as violence and or negative racial, ethnic, cultural or gender overtones. The toys that parents and caregivers permit their children to play with good or bad will play a part in the development of their child's value system.    

Next, children do not need expensive toys although the expense may reflect the effectiveness as well as its appealing properties to keep a child engaged over a period of time. There is no benefit for child or parent whether a toy is expensive or inexpensive if the child loses interest in a short period of time, which brings us to the toy being age appropriate.

Age appropriate toys are toys that will challenge a child without frustrating him/her or cause the child to lose interest because he/she has developed beyond the toys capability to challenge their thinking and or motor skills. They are toys that not only cause children to use their current skills, but also aid in developing additional skills. An understanding of which toys are appropriate for which age is useful when purchasing toy, so if parents and caregivers are not quite sure as to which toys are safe, affordable and age (developmental) appropriate, they can consult a pediatrician or an educator the specializes in early childhood education and development.

There is great power released for brain development through positive daily interaction with your child. Educational toys can provide children with vigorous physical activities as well as social and emotional development as parents and caregivers provide quality experiences through interaction. Creating opportunities that will challenge their imaginations and cause their creative juices to flow with toys that are safe, affordable and age appropriate will open the door for your child's future success. 


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The Technological Explosion

With the release of so many toys and videos in today's consumer market that claim to have educational and developmental qualities for children, consumers should do some research before accepting toy manufacturers claims. A little research can reveal a lot about a products potential educational and developmental benefits as well as whether it is age appropriate for a child.

Do not be surprised that even some of the television programs that your children watch as well as the numerous DVD's and video games, known as "screen media," are not educational at all but tend to only mesmerize or what is said in more modern terms, cause children to "zone out" rather than educate them. For some time now we have been experiencing great technological advances. Interestingly enough, as electronic technology advances the age of children using this technology has dropped considerably. Research reveals that the use of consumer electronics among children reaches all the way down to infancy. This is not a bad thing per se, but developmental science suggests that children from infancy to two years of age are most vulnerable to negative effects such as aggressive behavior, various fears or phobias as well as sleep disturbances due to exposure to various screen media.

Parents should keep in mind that critical brain connections are produced in children from zero to six years of age. During this age parents and caregivers should provide the necessary interaction through play to optimize the brains development. Because screen media does not provide this, researchers state that the risks of exposing children from infancy to two, to screen media far outweigh the benefits and so recommend parents and caregivers against its use. For children from age two to six, the use of screen media can be used but should be limited to one to two hours a day. However, parents and caregivers should keep a close watch for any negative behavioral reactions that their child may begin to develop.

The benefits of educational play during a child’s early years can provide the stimulation and experiences that create a foundation of learning and growing. As more parents grasp the idea of educational play as well as increased personal interaction with their children, we will all enjoy the benefits. It is much wiser and cost effective to invest into a child’s life today than to address the problems that could have possibly been avoided later in life

Let's Make Pretend

Pretend play is a very important of healthy childhood development. It is known to researchers as "Sociodramatic Play" or "Imaginative Play". It is a type of free play in which children engage in creative and imaginative social interactions. Pretend play has been shown to effectively promote the development of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills in children especially with autistic children.

Parents, teachers and or caregivers should create opportunities for children which allow their imagination to be released. It is the place where children carry out action plans, take on roles, and transform objects as they express their ideas and feelings about the world around them. Pretend play challenges children to see new solutions to life problems. Researcher believe children that do not play and use their imagination regularly when they are young may grow into anxious, socially maladjusted adults.

Educational toys provide support in the development of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills in children. They also provide a bridge for a child's interaction with parents or caregiver. According to an article by the "American Academy of Pediatrics" when adults participate in the play of children, learning is enhanced. Parents are able to observe the skills their child currently has and also help expand those skills.

When choosing educational toys that promote pretend play look for toys that reflect real life situations, such as a kitchen set, rocket ships, various vehicles, action figures, playhouses, various rockers, etc. Also be sure to check that the toy is safe for your child and that it is the right size as well as quality and durability. Be sure that they can stand up to heavy use because you don't want to restrict play in order to preserve a fragile toy. Then think about how it fits in his/her general interests. Most important, make pretend play an event for you and your child.

Look, Touch and Listen

From the labor and delivery room you may hear the weak cries of a newborn. Cries that excite and light up the world of the new parent(s). From this moment on your child begins his/her journey into the world of learning and growing. Although all of your child's senses hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling and touching stimulate their learning and developmental growth, seeing, touching and listening are three senses that manufacturers of educational toys focus upon.

Although research has determined that newborns have limited focus, they do have the ability to see colors, though black and white seems to be the most predominate. With this in mind, it is no surprise that educational toy manufacturers design toys with bright colors.

Due to the nerve ending under the skin, touch is one of the first sense that a baby develops. As your baby grows, touch becomes an important sense that furthers their development. Touch stimulates neuromuscular development, nerve cell insulation, movement coordination and perception such as soft or rough. Educational toys that are designed to stimulate a babies sense of touch will have various textures for your baby to touch and explore.

Although at birth a baby cannot define sounds, his/her hearing is nonetheless fairly developed at birth. In fact a babies sense of hearing is more keen than an adults. Educational toys that play music, have soft tones or chimes play an important role in the hearing development of a child. A child responds quickly, once they hear musical notes or melodies by trying to reach in the direction of the sounds. Musical toys are also a great way to help in the development of your child.

In short, when searching for educational toys for your baby, look for these features; bright colors to see, various textures to touch and an array of sounds to hear. All of these are a great way to start your baby on the path to success.

Watch Them Grow

It is very fascinating to watch children grow. Recently I was observing a 9 month old child scooting across the flood towards his play area where various toys were spread out for him to play with. Among the toys were a number of educational toys arrayed with wires, beads and other gadgets of various shapes, sizes and colors. For about an hour I watched him move from toy to toy engaging in the different activities that each toy provided and could tell by his movements, facial expressions and baby talk that his brain was being stimulated through playing.

Through years of research educational toys have been proven to aid in childhood development from infant to preschooler simply through play. There is a variety of educational toys for children in this age that are specifically designed and developed to stimulate and enhance your child's development through play. So one of the best ways to give your child's brain a head start when it come to healthy growth and development is by surrounding them with a variety of educational toys during their play time.

As research has discovered, start your child learning through play as an infant because the more stimulation your child has, the more connections are developed in their brain. The more connections that are developed in the brain, the better the brain develops. The better the brain develops, the smarter the child becomes.

The Incredible Imagination

As a child grows so does he or her imagination. The imagination give us the ability to form mental images of thing and events whether reality or fiction. The imagination is also responsible for fantasy, inventiveness and creativity. It stimulates thinking by helping us develop a variety of possibilities and or scenarios to accomplish a given task, but also the imagination can be used to manipulate events to produce extravagant and unrestrained thought. Basically the imagination helps us understand, relate to and make sense of the world around us.

Children generally begin to use their imagination around 18 to 24 months. This is when their playtime enters into another growth milestone. Not only is imaginative or pretend play more prevalent but they begin to recognize pretending in others. Research reveals that some of the positive attributes of a child engaging in imaginative play are…

• Their speech tends to develop at a faster pace…
• Their vocabulary is richer and more varied…
• They have an increased ability to entertain themselves…
• They tend to understand their emotions and the emotions of others at an earlier age…
• They are able to interact with their peers easier…
• They tend to be more successful in school…
• They become adults that are problem solvers, innovators and creative thinkers…

By introducing educational toys that promote imaginative play into a child’s playtime parents / caregivers are actually helping a child gain success at an early age. Children will not only share stories of fantasy, but will play act in the fashion that they interpret the world around them. Whether using a toy stove and acting like mom cooking dinner or using plastic tools and act like dad fixing the plumbing, imaginative play opens a child’s mind to the enormous realm of the “Imagine Nation”.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” (Albert Einstein)

Educational Toys: What to Look For

Toys are the tools of play for young children. The types of toys and how they are used play an important role in your child’s development. Toys can actually provide avenues for parents, caregivers and children to interact. This of course is the best way for parents and caregivers to help their children learn and grow. When parents and caregivers participate in their child’s play, learning is accelerated because it opens doors that independent play may not.

So when looking for educational toys that will promote your child’s educational and developmental skills parents / caregivers should…

• Avoid toys that promote violence…
• Avoid toys that promote negative racial, ethnical or cultural values…
• Avoid toys that discourage children from using their imagination…
• Avoid toys with parts that can be swallowed…
• Avoid toys with sharp edges…
• Avoid toys that make loud or shrill sounds…
• Choose toys that foster interaction…
• Choose toys that are age appropriate and safe…
• Choose toys that will help develop physical, social, emotional, language, creative and cognitive skills...
• Choose toys that are not beneath or too advanced for your child…

The entire purpose of providing avenues for the educational and developmental growth for your child should not only be to prepare your child for the future, but for parents / caregivers to enjoy their child now.

Purchasing Educational Toys

Most consumers can become overwhelmed when manufacturers list all of the features and benefits that their products have. For instance, when shopping for an automobile some of the features may be antilock braking system, three point automatic restraint system and power group. When shopping for shampoo the average consumer is not concerned with the features but the benefits, makes your hair silky, shiny and manageable. Either way there is a common denominator that the average consumer is motivated by when making a decision to purchase a product, their emotions.

One of the best ways to approach this is to make a list of each feature listed with the product. Then take one feature at a time and write next to it what benefits can be expected as well as what advantages the feature provides. Ultimately you are looking for what you gain from a specific feature, how that feature benefits an individual and what the benefits truly mean in the end results. This little system may prevent parents/caregivers from walking into a store or going on the internet to purchase educational toys that looks nice, may have many gadgets, may make many claims, but not have the intended benefits that you are looking for.

There is an important note for parents and caregivers to remember. When adults play an active role by participating in their child’s learning, not only will their child’s learning abilities be enhanced, but parents/caregivers will be able to observe the child’s progress and help them to expand their skills which will help prepare them for the future.