http://articles.educationalgiftideas.com/rss.xml A blog about educationalgiftideas.com daily 365 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://articles.educationalgiftideas.com/?a=35641 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>It can be fun to buy a toy for your toddler, because they are so cute and you can imagine the smile on your child's face when you give it to them. More and more parents are recognizing that not all toys they give their children should be just cute or cuddly. They are looking for toys that are educational as well. There are many of these toys available, both online and in toy stores. So many in fact, that it can be difficult to choose which is the best one for your child. The toy stores alone offer a multitude of them and when you add the ones advertised online; it can truly become a mind boggling experience. There are toys that parents have found to be excellent learning tools and these are the ones that are the most popular. <br /><br />Curiosity Cube.<br /><br />This toy is great for toddlers because it helps them learn to recognize colors, shapes and sounds. It has many activities that will occupy your children for hours and educate them as well. <br /><br />Building Blocks<br /><br />Building blocks have been around for years and many parents can remember playing with them themselves. They now come in softer versions for children under 6 months. These blocks develop a child's concentration skills and their ability to manipulate objects.<br /><br />Chatterbox Telephone<br /><br />A Chatterbox phone comes in different languages, allowing the child to learn basic language skills in their native tongue. It also teaches your child numbers and social skills. <br /><br />Rollercoaster<br /><br />The Rollercoaster is one of the most educational toys on the market and also one of the most popular. Some doctor's offices provide them for the child to play with while they are waiting to be seen. The child plays with it by sliding shapes along a track and it helps develop the child's ability to manipulate items.<br /><br />Spin and Play Center<br /><br />The Spin and Play center is another favorite of toddlers. It features toys that your child can spin, turn and slide. It has a suction cup at the bottom so it can stick to whatever surface you place it on and helps teach a child how to solve problems.<br /><br />Ten Counter<br /><br />This is a toy that will help teach your child number recognition and counting skills. It has numbered arches and each arch contains beads in ascending order, matching the number on the arch. It's fun for them to play with and it's a great teaching tool.<br /><br />Puzzle<br /><br />There are many puzzles designed for toddlers to play with. They teach your child reasoning abilities and shape recognition. They are also a great way to spark their creativity.<br /><br />Buying educational toys for your toddler is very important. They help them develop their reasoning, manipulative and creative skills, giving them a head start before its time to send them off to school.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Educational Gifts at <a href="http://www.educationalgiftideas.com/">http://www.educationalgiftideas.com</a></p> 2006-09-03T00:40-04:00 http://articles.educationalgiftideas.com/?a=35640 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Parents are always looking for things that will spark their child's imagination while giving them a valuable education at the same time. The next time you're considering what to buy for your child, consider a science kit. Remember that children love to explore and learn and the field of science allows them to do both. <br /><br />Many parents might hesitate to buy this type of kit for their child because they are worried about them being dangerous or that a child might be too young to truly appreciate and learn their intended lessons. Another anticipated problem is trying to replace the different substances they might contain when they have run out and it will be relegated to the pile containing other broken and no longer used toys. Fortunately, there are four science based kits that are both child and parent friendly. <br /><br />Ant Farm<br /><br />Ant farms have fascinated children for years. It's a fun way to watch nature at work and provides hours of entertainment. Children will get to learn about the lives of ants and how they interact with the earth and each other. Of course, some parents might worry that the ants will escape and use the house as their farm, but while a few might get out, that should not be a concern.<br /><br />Chemistry Sets<br /><br />Chemistry sets are another fun way to learn about science and chemicals. The new versions of these kits are colorful and suitable for younger children and the supplies are easily replaced. For the older child, there are more advanced sets available. These contain substances that allow the older junior scientists to create other chemicals like hydrochloric acid. They are worrisome for the parents but the children love them. <br /><br />Elephant Nose Fish<br /><br />The Elephant Nose fish actually emits electrical charges. It is truly a wonder of nature and science. The child can listen to the sounds of the electric emissions with the use of a piezoelectric earphone. You can purchase one of these at your local Radio Shack or other stores that carry electronics. They are very easy to feed and take care of. The important thing to remember is to make sure that the top of the aquarium is closed tightly, so that they won't be able to jump out. Another important thing to keep in mind is that they need to be kept in groups of three to five fish. These fish will keep the whole family entertained.<br /><br />Crystal Growing Kit<br /><br />Crystal growing kits have been around for years. They are very inexpensive and it's fascinating to watch the gemstone colored crystals grow<br /><br />Consider buying your child a science kit to teach them and educate them at the same time.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Educational Gift Ideas at <a href="http://www.educationalgiftideas.com/">http://www.educationalgiftideas.com</a></p> 2006-09-03T00:37-04:00 http://articles.educationalgiftideas.com/?a=35027 <p>by Gregg Hall </p><p>In this day and age of satellite TV with hundreds of channels, computers with 24/7 internet access and video games that also connect to the internet it is difficult to get out children to take the time out to do something more constructive and educational like reading a book.<br /><br />What we have to do is conform a little with the times and make use of the technology to give our children tools for learning that they enjoy. How do we do that, you ask?<br /><br />There are many companies now producing videos, video games, and computer games that are not only fun to the children but are at the same time educational. I am not suggesting that you only buy educational products because if you were to do so your kids will rebel and then you won't even have the technology they like working for you.<br /><br />What we can do however is mix it up a bit and include some educational games. These products are available for every age group from toddlers all the way through high school so there is no excuse for not using them. For toddlers you get games that will help them learn shapes, colors, and numbers more rapidly. I have a nephew who is only 4 years old reading on the level of a 9 year old, to me that is evidence the methods work.<br /><br />I have used the programs with my own son who was struggling in school and disinterested in certain subjects like math and history for example. One of the games I used with him took the kids back in time to Egypt and the Great Pyramids and made it fun to learn history and math at the same time. His grades shot up in a matter of weeks. Is that not worth the price of a CD or DVD? It definitely was to me.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. See the <a href="http://www.educationalgiftideas.com/">educational gift ideas</a> at http://www.educationalgiftideas.com</p> 2006-07-08T23:57-04:00