A high quality toy will give a child years of enjoyment and can be handed down to others as they grow. A toy that is not of good quality or construction is a poor investment and can be hazardous for small children if it breaks easily, creating sharp or pointed edges. Most plastic toys are not of good quality.
An open-ended toy is one that the child directs; it allows for individual expression and different learning styles. Wooden blocks are an example of an open-ended toy. They can be stacked and knocked over for the physically oriented child (my son as a prime example), or they can be lined up to create words for an older child. Hand puppets are wonderful open-ended toys that come to life when a child or a parent reaches inside them. Their very nature invites creativity and imagination. A closed-ended toy, on the other hand, thinks for the child. An example of this kind of toy would be a doll that says something when it issqueezed, or one that is programmed to respond the same way every time.
A toy with a long life is one a child can come back to and enjoy time and time again, year after year. It can be approached in new ways as a child grows and masters new skills. Children become bored with toys that are not designed to serve a child over the course of time. When the right kinds of toys fill the toy box, your child will appreciate them over time and grow by using them. Some of the best fun for children is found in the kitchen. Playing with pots and pans, for example, or creating concoctions from flour and spices is often both entertaining and educational. I sell a product that was the inspiration for my business. It is called The Learning Tower, and it was the best investment I ever made. It is a special kind of step stool for children ages 2-6. It brings them safely to counter height so that they can participate in all sorts of daily activities, such as meal preparation and dish washing. Best of all, it grows with the child. The platform lowers as the child grows in height and it is designed to allow the child to climb up or get down from it safely and easily. It can also serve as a puppet theater, or a place where a child can create a private nook for time alone or for reading. Further information about The Learning Tower and the many open-ended, quality toys we offer can be found at www.kiddinaround.com.
All our products are chosen with the above criteria in mind.
Juliana Lapitino President and Creative Director
kiddinaround.com unique gifts for infants, toddlers and young children
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