5 Toys That Are Proven to Benefit Children

Toys play an integral part in a child’s life. From the moment our children come into the world, they are introduced to the comfort, fun, and imagination that toys bring. As children continue to grow and develop, toys play an even more important role in assisting with growth and development. When shopping for kids’ toys, it makes sense to choose toys that are not only fun but help to boost learning and encourage imaginative play. Help support early childhood development by keeping the kids entertained and stimulated with the following toys proven to benefit children.

1. Puzzles

Puzzles are very important in assisting children in developing emotional skills, cognitive skills, and physical skills. In a time where flashy, tech-powered toys rule the shelves, reaching for the humble puzzle can be a real novelty! Puzzles not only exercise our minds but present many helpful challenges for young, growing minds. Spatial awareness, cause and effect, and planning are all important skills that puzzles introduce to children. Even the act of completing a challenging puzzle can help children learn the importance of setting goals and overcoming problems through perseverance and persistence.

2. Board games

There’s a reason why board games still fill the shelves in toy stores despite the onslaught of digital gaming options. Board games are a timeless classic, and it’s the nostalgia that really makes it fun for us older ones! But for the young ones, board games can prove both fun and beneficial to their learning and brain development. Strategy games like Cluedo, Battleships, and card games are useful in helping a child’s frontal lobes develop. The frontal lobes are responsible for all types of developmental skills, including function skills, memory, and motor skills. Board games are also very helpful in teaching kids about teamwork and exercising patience. Since board games have their own unique sets of rules, children must learn to follow directions and be good at playing fair.

3. Lego

Construction blocks like the popular Lego blocks have long been a favorite among kids. The best part? Playing with Lego is good for cognitive development. Aside from the wide range of benefits, including motor skills, spatial skills, language skills, and problem-solving, Lego bricks can also help children develop a form of non-verbal intelligence. Children must analyze what they see, perceive the parts that make up the whole, and figure out how one block fits into another. It also helps children to be able to visualize the end-product in their mind’s eye and continue to construct something from their mind to their hands. Kids can also learn how errors can affect the function of an object; if bricks aren’t aligned properly, the whole construction can come falling down.

4. Sensory toys

Sensory play is playtime that stimulates the use of touch, smell, sight, or hearing. This is particularly beneficial in early childhood development since sensory play impacts the physical development of a child’s growing brain. Sensory play, i.e., playing with musical toys or instruments, builds nerve connections in the brain, which allows your child to complete more complex learning tasks as they continue to grow.” Toys that stimulate all senses help a child to understand how the world works and how they communicate. Some of the best sensory play toys include Press & Stay Sensory Blocks, Pat & Play Water Mats, shakers, Kinetic Sand, and flashing spiky balls.

5. Paint sets

As kids continue to explore and learn new talents, one area that they all seem to really excel at is painting. This is because painting is a pure creative expression, where a child is free to explore colors, patterns, and textures all without the use of words. Painting can help children to communicate their emotions or feelings as well as acquire hand-eye coordination. Painting also introduces children to the color wheel and how mixing different color paints will produce another color. Providing your child with a paint set is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to supporting their creative talent, imagination, personality, and exploration. When a child paints something that they are proud of, it helps with their self-esteem and feelings of accomplishment. Encouraging a child to paint what they see is also a great way to help them with concentration, memory, and patience.