Learning Resources Offers Holiday Gift-Givers Guidelines for Selecting Educational Toys

Business Wire, Dec 12, 2005

VERNON HILLS, Ill. -- Educational toys are a great option for holiday gift-givers, but choosing the right one isn't always an easy task. The educational experts at Learning Resources(R) offer some general guidelines for selecting learning toys.

"The key is to choose a toy that is appropriate for a child's age and stage of development," says Wendy Zachrisen, a former teacher and now educational marketing manager at Learning Resources. "If you underestimate or overestimate a child's skill level the toy will either bore or frustrate them. Toy companies, like Learning Resources, put a tremendous amount of effort in developing products that are targeted to particular skill levels and age groups."

Zachrisen also has these recommendations:

    --  Choose age-appropriate, interactive toys that stimulate
        various senses and provide a child the opportunity to
        accomplish something or make choices. This applies to children
        of all ages, not just very young children.

    --  Know the child's personality and temperament. Do they need
        lots of stimulation, or are they shy? A shy child might
        benefit from toys that require interaction with other people,
        such as board games like Learning Resources' award-winning
        Skeletons in the Closet(TM) game. This type of interaction
        builds both language and social skills.

    --  Select toys that offer different kinds of play. Open-ended,
        imaginative play is important for a child's growth and
        development, and encourages self-confidence and problem
        solving. Multiple levels of play will often lengthen the
        period of time a child is interested in a toy.

    --  Cater to a child's interests. For example, if a child is
        interested in science, look for creative science toys or
        games, such as Learning Resources' Giant Inflatable Insects.

    --  Consider safety and durability. There should be no sharp
        edges, no toxic paint, no little pieces that can fall off and
        become a choking hazard. Toy packages will indicate if the toy
        is not safe for children under a certain age, but you may
        consider buying a toy for a slightly lower age range for a
        child who needs extra learning support or has special needs.

    --  And, don't forget that the toy needs to be fun. If the toy
        isn't fun, the child will quickly lose interest.

"There are many and varied benefits of educational toys," says Zachrisen. "By selecting the right toy, you create an environment that is fun and conducive to learning important skills."

About Learning Resources(R)

Learning Resources is a leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational materials for classrooms and of learning toys for the home. For more than 20 years, the company has been a trusted source for educators and parents for quality, award-winning educational products in language, math, science and early childhood. Headquartered in Vernon Hills, Ill., Learning Resources markets and distributes its products in over 80 countries around the globe.

For more information about Learning Resources, visit www.learningresources.com http://www.learningresources.com.