Picking the Right Toys Isn't Child's Play

A girl tries out a small piano and a guitar in the toy section as holiday shoppers crowd Macy's department store in New York November 23, 2007. The 2007 holiday shopping season kicked off on Friday with crowds of discount-mad shoppers, many braving the cold, snagging early bargains on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)SUNDAY, Dec. 16 (HealthDay News) -- When you're Christmasshopping for toys, ignore the latest fad, experts say. Instead, choosetoys that promote healthy childhood development and reinforce personalrelationships.
"It's important to look for toys that allow for creativity,imagination, manipulation, and change. If a toy is static and doesn'tpromote those concepts, it will probably end up in the corner," RogerIdeishi, professor of occupational therapy at the University of theSciences, Philadelphia, said in a prepared statement.
"Parents often feel like they have to rush out and get 'the toy of themoment,' " noted Paula Kramer, chair and professor of occupational therapyat the university. "These toys may be interesting, unique and novel, butthey're not always the best thing for the child or the toy with thelongest life."
When selecting a toy, consider the child's specific needs andinterests. Look for toys that promote mental and physical development,such as building blocks/sets that help build fine motor skills andcreativity.
Video games that encourage physical or mental activity may be goodchoices. And parents shouldn't hesitate to play these kinds of video gameswith their children.
"It's just like anything else. If your child asks you to do somecoloring with them, you usually do it even if you don't want to, becausethe child seeks that interaction. It's the same thing when a child asksyou to play a video game," Kramer said.
When selecting any kind of toy, it's important that they match thechild's abilities.
"Look for toys that are either at their child's ability, or just aboveit. Then, they will grow with the toy and get more of a challenge from it.The toys that don't engage the children or speak to their imaginations andinterests tend to just stay on the shelf," Kramer said.
Bicycles and other sporting equipment help keep children healthy andpromote interaction with others. Tickets to sporting events or shows areanother way of building relationships.
"Through these events, we build positive memories and experiences inlife that we may not have otherwise. Gifts don't always have to be toys.In today's time-constrained world, something as simple as planning a daytogether with your child can be the best present," Kramer said.
More information
The Nemours Foundation has more about toys.