The nature of their circumstances determines a child’s future well-being. Factors such as biology, family, and environment directly influence a child’s growth and development, and ultimately, their future happiness. While it can be said that a person never truly stops growing, and all their experiences throughout their years help influence their personhood, developmental experts all over the world agree that a person’s formative years hold the greatest impact on how one grows up as an adult.
For instance, the child’s environment directly affects their future success. Where the child lives and spends time influences what they do with their time. A child who spends their formative years playing and learning has a greater chance at future happiness than one who starts working at an early age. This is why many experts encourage choosing toys that could aid a child in their development. Age-appropriate toys can help a child advance their motor, cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
Toys are a crucial tool in a child’s development. Children learn through play, and the right toys can help steer them in the right direction. Many kinds of toys help spur development, from rocking animals and musical instruments to dolls and puzzles. The things they use in their early years, even tableware such as a bamboo baby bowl, can have great effects down the line.
The right developmental toy provides a host of recreational and developmental benefits and imparts a spirit of choice and independence. Here are a few reasons why you need to get a developmental toy.
1. Improves spatial intelligence
Many developmental specialists believe that developmental toys help improve a child’s spatial intelligence. Spatial intelligence concerns the person’s recognition of space and the objects contained within. Some toys help children understand the space with which the plaything can be used to explore and investigate. For instance, a child using a bicycle will see an obstacle such as a tree or a lamppost, and they will learn to avoid that object even from a distance.
Children don’t realize that events like these are directly connected to spatial intelligence, but it does lay the groundwork for its advancement and mastery. This is similar to babies and toddlers learning to sort the differently-shaped blocks and match them to a hole.
2. Promotes group play
Some developmental toys are better enjoyed with other children. This, in turn, helps encourage cooperative play among peers. After all, no one wants to play on a see-saw alone. A 2-person card game is also boring without a partner. By fostering a platform for group play, children can learn to cooperate. One can even learn to be competitive with the right type of toy or game.
For instance, children can collaborate with others to create a structure using toy blocks. They can play individually or work with their peers towards a common goal. Apart from fostering collaboration and competition, communication is also developed since they interact with one another.
3. Helps establish confidence
As I previously mentioned, the child’s circumstances directly influence their future development and happiness. A child left to their own devices, allowed to roam freely alone and be independent, has a greater chance of developing better self-esteem and self-confidence.
A child who knows they can accomplish great things is more likely to do so. For instance, if they can teach themselves to ride a bike across rough terrain, they will eventually believe they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.
Self-confidence is essential to a child’s future happiness. If they feel confident about themselves, they are more likely to excel in the things they find enjoyable. Self-confidence is the belief in their own capabilities, foster this, and the child will be better off. Apart from developmental toys, you can help establish self-confidence through positive reinforcement.
4. Promotes physicality
Some developmental toys are designed to encourage physical activity and help improve physical development. Some toys can improve speed and agility, while others can help develop upper-body strength and endurance. For instance, pedal toys and trolleys help foster muscle growth in the arms and legs.
It’s best to let children find new ways to use the toys they already have, rather than spending money on new toys. Research has shown that unstructured playtime can be a great deal more effective than planned activities, as children are left to decide what to do with their time. This helps develop their creativity and critical thinking.
The bottom line
These are just four of the reasons why you need to pay close attention to the toys you give to your children. Toys aren’t just for recreation; they can also be a tool for development and education. Make sure to choose the right toys to help turn your child into a smarter, stronger, and more creative person.
