Whether it’s a G.I. Joe action figure, a Beyblade, or Hot Cars, childhood will never be complete without toys. It keeps kids occupied for several hours. But aside from giving kids a fun pastime, toys can also improve their brain activity.
Toys can help parents ensure that the brain development of their kids will start early.
In this article, we list down the toys that can help your kids in brain-building.
The Role of Toys in Brain Building
Toys help kids develop thinking skills such as problem-solving, imitation, cause and effect, and symbolic thinking. Consequently, toys can help develop gross and motor skills. If you are a parent looking for toys to help your toddler become brainy, here are our suggestions:
1. Tangram
This toy can help your little one become familiar with geometric shapes and improve problem-solving skills.
This toy usually comprises a parallelogram, a square, and five triangles to form one specific shape. A tangram can help kids improve their logical thinking skills, develop visual-spatial awareness, and better appreciate mathematical concepts.
2. Blocks and Construction Toys
Building a tower is still one of the most popular activities for kids. Aside from improving their problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination, blocks and construction toys help kids develop their imagination by building vehicles, animals, or structures.
3. Puzzle Cube/Jigsaw Puzzle
This toy has been around for years and is one of the most affordable kids toys you can find. With puzzle cubes, your child will need to figure out how to solve the cube. Puzzle cubes help in memory development and hand-eye coordination, and hone analytical and problem-solving skills.
Another popular toy jigsaw puzzle helps with coordination and agility. It promotes discovering spatial relationships and logical thinking.
4. Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts toys boast various activities that are not only fun but also help with brain development. Handling a crayon, drawing pictures of family members, and cutting with a scissor and pasting help improve coordination, promote creativity, and boost self-esteem.
5. Rock-a-Stack
Rock-a-stack is not only educational but also fun-filled. It will help your kid learn how to sort and stack properly. Its bright shades and swirling beads can help improve visual development in children. The activity of placing rings on the pole helps improve hand-eye coordination.
In addition, rock-a-stack helps children distinguish between colors.
6. Balls
Whatever kind of ball your kid is playing with will surely enhance their brain development. Activities like bouncing, rolling, catching, or throwing the ball can help improve motor skills, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination.
7. Role-Playing Toys
Toys like doctor’s kits, kitchen sets, and other role-playing toys can help your kid learn about the world through imitation.
Dolls and other stuffed toys, such as teddy bears or dogs, can enhance social and emotional development as they learn to express their emotions and care for something they love.
Find toys appropriate for the age of your kids. There is a toy for every kid, so find the right one for their age. While toys can help in brain development, it is still the parents who will nurture that growth.