What kinds of toys should I get for my child?
Did you know that play is how children learn best?
According to Dr. Karyn Purvis, it takes about 400 repetitions to create a new synapse (a connection from one brain cell to another) in the brain without playful engagement. When learning is done through play, it only takes between 10 to 20 repetitions!
Offering your child a range of toys can greatly support their learning and development. Every toy can be used to teach a valuable play skill and can be adapted in different ways to keep play interesting.
Below is a list of play categories and some toys that can support that type of play*!
Cause and Effect Play: helps promote child engagement, joint attention, play skills, social and language skills, and the ability to wait
Independent Play: supports imagination and creative play, builds persistence and problem-solving skills, and teaches patience and resilience
Physical Play: helps child learn how to control and coordinate their body movements, also important for completing self-care skills such as getting dressed or getting into/out of a car
Structured Play: targets turn taking skills like sharing, cooperation, patience, and creates opportunity to also work on emotional regulation
Sports; Soccer ball Ball catch game
Cooperative Play: helps children learn important pragmatic communication skills such as collaborating and compromising with others, and identifying and responding to others' feelings
Sociodramatic/Pretend Play: increases creative thinking and problem solving skills as well as independence, also helps children explore their likes and dislikes
* The organizations, companies, and links shared in this article do not denote affiliation or sponsorship that Joyscape has with any entity listed above.
