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Use Your Imagination When Toy Shopping

With so many toys on the shelves these days, it’s more confusing than ever to shop for the kids. Added pressure comes from the children themselves, who are lobbying for the latest video game, do-it-all doll, or electronic whiz-bang item. Sure, we want to make our kids happy, but local child development expert, Catherine Risigo-Wickline, says the hottest novelty items may not always be in their best interest.

“Parents should never underestimate the importance of toy selection. Think of it this way: play is a child’s way of learning and developing successfully. It’s their “job”. Children learn through movement, interaction and through the information they take in from all of their senses. Toys provide a rich opportunity for them to do that,” explains Wickline, an occupational therapist, special needs expert and founder and president of Kangaroo’s Korner Early Learning Center and Children’s Therapy Center in Watertown. Children’s Therapy Center is a statewide program dedicated to helping children reach their optimal development.

Risigo-Wickline says children learn about themselves and others through the toys they play with. And often, the toys and games that have been around a long time offer the best overall benefits. “Many of the time-tested toys offer more opportunities for hands-on manipulation, imaginative play and interaction with others. Toys that literally play themselves, like certain electronic toys and dolls that come with every accessory known to mankind, are not particularly helpful in fostering good development. If a child just sits there and presses the button, they’re not challenging all the senses that are so valuable to learning,” she explains.

Selecting the proper toys for a child’s level of development is also very important, she says. “Toys that are below a child’s level of development will not challenge them and toys that are above their level of development can be overwhelming. If your child receives a toy that is above his developmental abilities, put it away until it is appropriate for them,” advises Risigo-Wickline.

Parents can never go wrong buying toys that encourage children to use their imaginations and develop their creativity and social skills, she explains. For example, play sets with miniature figures (such as farm sets or doll houses), kitchen toys, tea sets, doctor kits, dress up costumes, and pretend telephones all foster learning about the world around through dramatic play.

Equally important are toys that promote the development of focus, concentration and problem-solving skills. For babies through pre-school-age children, these include shape sorters, stacking toys and puzzles. Building blocks are another time-tested toy that make a great gift. “Building blocks are really important for development. Blocks not only encourage creativity and logical thinking, but are a great sensory experience too,” she explains.

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Globe Correspondent | September 4, 2005