Newswise — Tired of finding your children's holiday gifts in the toy graveyard just days after they're opened? Instead of shopping for the latest fad, parents are encouraged to buy their children toys that promote healthy childhood development and reinforce interpersonal relationships.
"It's important to look for toys that allow for creativity, imagination, manipulation, and change," explained Roger Ideishi, JD, OT/L, professor of occupational therapy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. "If a toy is static and doesn't promote those concepts, it will probably end up in the corner."
"Parents often feel like they have to rush and get, 'the toy of the moment." said Paula Kramer, PhD, chair and professor of occupational therapy at USP. "These toys may be interesting, unique, and novel, but they're not always the best thing for the child or the toy with the longest life."
Rather than picking toys based solely on the year's trends, Dr. Kramer and Ideishi recommend that parents consider their child's specific needs and interests. While also being fun to play with, many toys can encourage healthy childhood development mentally and physically, and may be of extraordinary value to the child.
"Toys such as Legos® are great because they help build skills such as fine motor manipulation and creativity," said Dr. Kramer. "They come with instructions on how to build certain things, but kids can choose to build anything they want."
Developmental benefits of toys, such as shape and color familiarity, are easy to see in younger children. "But as kids get older, toys are still very important," said Dr. Kramer. "Our kids today are often overscheduled and many of their activities are highly structured, so they need the areas of release toys provide."
According to Dr. Kramer and Ideishi, video game consoles such as the Nintendo Wiiâ„¢ can give children a healthy way of releasing energy, improving hand-eye coordination, and in some cases, getting exercise. While parents are advised to use their judgment when buying video games, an increasing number of games are emerging which promote either physical or mental activity. Wii Sports, for example, requires players to mimic the movements of boxers, golfers, tennis players, and bowlers. Another popular Wii game, Brain Age, makes it fun and easy for players to exercise their minds.
Parents should not hesitate to participate in playing video games with their children. "It's just like anything else," said Dr. Kramer. "If your child asks you to do some coloring with them you usually do it even if you don't want to because the child seeks that interaction. It's the same thing when a child asks you to play a video game."
For children to derive the maximum benefit from playing it is critical that parents choose toys for their specific ability.
"Look for toys that are either at their child's ability, or just above it," suggested Dr. Kramer. "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 and interests tend to just stay on the shelf."
When it is time to buy gifts, traditional yet timeless items such as bicycles and sporting equipment can easily be overlooked with all the high-tech gadgets crowding the shelves.
"It's important to remember that toys are not meant to replace human interaction," said Ideishi. "Sometimes the best toys are the ones that stimulate human interaction. Part of promoting development is promoting that interaction."
In addition to toys that can promote human interaction, such as basketball hoops and multiplayer video games, parents should also consider giving their children the opportunity for new experiences. For example, tickets to a sporting event or show can leave a lasting impression and improve the parent-child relationship.
"Through these events we build positive memories and experiences in life that we may not have otherwise," said Dr. Kramer. "Gifts don't always have to be toys. In today's time-constrained world, something as simple as planning a day together with your child can be the best present."
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to education, research, and service. Comprising five colleges, including its new Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy, USP specializes in educating its 2,800 students for rewarding careers through its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in pharmacy, health and related sciences, and healthcare business and health policy. Founded in 1821 as the nation's first college of pharmacy, it is where the founders of six of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world launched their futures.
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