Choosing the right toys...does it really matter?

Toys are inseparable from a child's life. From the very first month of his life, rattles and musical box may be the most apparent company for a baby. As the baby grows, parents usually buy different kinds of toys to entertain their cute little joy of life.

Whether or not they know the significant role of toys in a child's life, parents nowadays are overwhelmed by the varieties of toys available in the market. Unfortunately, some of the parents buy abundant of toys for their babies and kids without knowing the fact that toys are not merely a means to bring joy in their childs' life. Rather, toys are considered an essential part of a child's learning process and experience.

It has been proven by psychologists and experts that the types of toys being played by a child may influence his character and nurture his potential as well as interest. thus, parents should be more particular and smart when buying toys for their children. Here, based from my experience and my readings, I 'll list down several points to be considered when choosing an appropriate toy for our children.

• Choose a toy that is made or invented specifically for specified age group of the child.
• Never buy a toy that is beyond our child's capability, physically and cognitively. This will only make our children bored, restless and eventually decrease their self-confidence.
• An appropriate level of toys can boast a child's self esteem and confidence since he believe that he is having a control over the toys.

• Choose an educational toys rather than popular or high-demand toys.
• Our kids will surely fancy Barbie dolls, Transformer robots, Power Rangers action figure, etc than Scrabble and puzzles. However, as parents, we are the one who make the decision and buy the toys.
  
• Sometimes we can compromise or negotiate with our children regarding toys. Popular toys and educational toys can be bought alternately as to achieve a win-win situation.

• Never too early to start exposing educational toys to our children.
• The earlier the better.
  
• Educational toys include all sorts of toys that can nurture our children fine and motor skills, emotional aspect, cognitive and etc.
• So don't try to turn our children to Einsten or Ibn Sina. Just follow their natural developmental milestones.
• Variety is a must when choosing and buying toys.
  

• Ensure that the toys are safe enough for our children.
• Especially for babies, make sure that there are no small parts that can be detached to avoid swallowing.
• Don't buy toys that are too 'cheap' . These toys may contain chemicals that are hazardous to our children's health.

**These are some of Chichi and Afafita's toys.

This is the playdoh. Afafita's fave.











The binocular. Wafitos' fave. Used during nature walk.

Scrabble for beginners. It's good, edutaining.

Computer- games, learning words, maths sums, music, etc. Fun and the kids love it.


The microscope...Wafitos is do excited gathering new specimens and analyse them through his microscope. Siap nak buat lab sendiri.


Lego set....can give the kids endless joy of building creating things...



Last but not least important...story books.....