HOW TO CHOOSE AN Educational TT OO YY

THE BIG PICTURE: Trends in the United States

Americans on toys spend $22 each TOYS ARE BOUGHT approximately BILLION year FOR MANY REASONS American toy of global holidays purchases make up % toy approximately 25 sales birthdays requests Educational HELP not toys are grow just to designed to entertain

Benefits of Educational Toys

Improve problem Develop creativity solving skills and imagination

Encourage socialization Expand language and cooperation and vocabulary skills

Increase fine and Build confidence gross motor skills

What to Look for in an Educational Toy

MULTIPLE USES TRUE TOYS Some toys, like blocks, can and blocks allow grow with a child. Infants children to use their can gain muscle imagination and creativity- development and there is no pre-determined coordination, older children outcome…the sky’s the can use them to learn about limit! spatial relationships, language, ingenuity, resourcefulness and more! 2-4 AGE APPROPRIATE years Labels are important. MANIPULATIVE TOYS Shape Sorters and Puzzles EXPLORATORY TOYS build cognitive and Children learn about senses, perceptual skills. cause and effect.

SOURCES http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/What-to-Look-for-in-a-Toy.aspx http://www2.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm http://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/childrens-products/ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/choosing-right-toys-for-right-age?page=2

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