Traditional toys Are the BEST!

It is probably correct that no matter which winter season festival is your family’s tradition, toys are a major part.  Toys are an important part of a child’s development. It helps with eye-hand coordination, with learning basic words for shapes and colors, to develop imaginations and storytelling, and to learn social skills of sharing and cooperation.  Toys can also be very expensive and sometimes have dangerous parts.

When considering what toy to give it may be important to think of the learning potential from the toy.  Considering low-tech toys may offer an important balance for children and teens whose lives are filled with tablets, cell phones, headphones, and other “smart” toys.  Low-tech toys can help improve their vocabularies, conversation and turn-taking skills, problem-solving abilities, and attention spans.

For example, when toys talk, parents talk less and in turn, children vocalize less.  Healthychildren.org suggest that blocks, dolls, musical instruments, cars, trains, shape-sorters and other low-tech toys get children, and parents, talking, singing, playing and interacting.  It is important to notice that it is key that parents are involved in building these communication skills.

Books always make excellent presents and sharing the joy of reading is a lifelong gift.  Books should be age appropriate with vocabulary that can be easily understood and help increase their vocabulary.  Board and card games can be played by the entire family and increase vocabulary, numbers, strategies, following rules and turn taking.

Building toys, blocks and crafts help with fine motor skills for all ages.  For young children, motor skills are closely linked to language development.  Outdoor toys such as balls, jump ropes, and yard games encourage running, jumping, sports and other active play. Physical activity actually helps with focusing and learning.

Puzzles can range from basic options for young children to complex types for the entire family while teaching problem solving and building skills.  Crayons, colored pencils, coloring books and other writing supplies are a childhood staples.  While building fine motor skills they also allow appreciation of color and form plus an appreciation of visual arts at any age.

Cooking supplies will work for almost any age and help involve young kids in making and trying new foods.  For older children cooking together sets the scene for family bonding and family traditions.  Following recipes helps improve reading and comprehension skills, planning, organizational skills, sequencing and following directions.  There are cooking books written for almost any reading level.

Traditional toys remain superior to electronic toys for children’s language development.  This is primarily because the parent is actively involve with one on one communication and not with their own electronic device.  Even having the TV on as background noise can delay a child’s speech development.

Happy Holidays.  Stay healthy, eat healthy and remember to try to keep your routines.

Sally Robinson, MD  Clinical Professor
Keeping Kids Healthy
December 2024

Also See:  UTMB Pediatrics - Pediatric Primary Care