The basic function of toys is to generate a fun moment playing. But also, they can be used to teach kids to learn more and faster.
Nowadays, it is hard to catch the attention of kids just with toys, especially the educational ones. However, they do not need to be boring to be educational.
Schools are trying hard to find ways to teach children outside of the usual zone, that’s mean, using technology all the time.
The kindergarten teacher, Noemi Garcia explains why is so important to keep using educational toys during activities at school and at home too.
“Today in kindergarten a lot of the schools are putting more amount of activities and a lot of toys using natural resources, like wood for example, not so much plastic, but there use to be a balance.”
Technology is everywhere. It affects how we live, work, play, and most importantly learn. But Garcia, with more than 15 years of experience, believes that the contact with educational toys is very important and explains that electronic devices are used just to teach kids to read.
“The toys that we use more, are the loose parts, gathering things from nature to let the kids explore. Learn from their own expiration and imagination. Of course, we also have iPads in the room, that we also incorporate for reading, but all the technology is used for reading.”
The capacity to learn properly can be improved with toys that provide more contact. And Garcia says that kids are more open to understanding the lessons if they use educational toys.
“It attracts the kids to use imagination, for that reason we limited the use of technology during lessons.”
Educational toys can help kids to develop fundamental abilities such as cognitive thinking and problem-solving.
According to the writer and educator, Nancy Rose, this toys also build comprehension and reading skills.
The engineer and dad of two, Paulo Zerbinatti says that he really understands that is more effective for learning with educational toys then using electronic devices.
“I tried with my kids, and they loved it, but it is still very difficult to compete with iPads, cell phones and computers.”
Kids do not need many toys as we may think. So, it is good to have different options, and maybe invest in educational toys that can be used in different ways and moments.
Specialists believe that the best toys for kids are open-ended. Because they encourage and develop children’s imaginative, creative and problem-solving skills.
