Fisher-Price: The Joy of Learning Playtime Guide
We’re approaching birthday season in this house. Everyone except me is born in late fall/early winter. Throw in Christmas and it’s the most wonderful (sing it with me) and expensive time of the year. So I am already anticipating our upcoming toy purchases for the kids. What would they like? What do I think they need? What will our relatives spoil them with so that I don’t have to buy it myself?!
I’ll be totally honest. I usually buy ahead of time if I see something that a particular child might want on sale. Even better, on sale with a clearance sticker. I also try to balance out the toys that are merely frivolous play time items (nothing wrong with those) with ones that are more educational, and also try to balance the toys with books and experiences (such as museum memberships, etc.).
We have a play room full of toys and games and activities and it can be hard to figure out what should be added to the mix. As the kids get older, they request more branded toys, but I love to see their imaginations going when they aren’t limited by certain cartoon characters. When they are younger, almost anything can please them. Including the box the toy came in.
Toys can be used to model adult behaviour (they make me tea!), to learn about mathematical and linguistic concepts (they count the building blocks), to aid with hand-eye coordination (the baby puts the ball in the cup and shakes it), and so much more — learning abounds through play.
Fisher-Price can help you figure out which toys to buy next with their The Joy of Learning Playtime Guide, on the Fisher-Price.ca website. It identifies all the ways a child will develop their skills through playing with any particular Fisher-Price toy. This guide includes 12 Elements of Enrichment, each under one of the major pillars – Physical, Cognitive or Social – that are critical in each child’s development.
In 2013 and beyond, these icons will be displayed on each Fisher-Price product’s packaging, so that parents or grandparents or whoever is buying can fully understand how that product can aid the individual areas of growth for that child.
So I can go to the Fisher-Price site and look up toys for a 10 month old — as Charlie is just that age, and Oliver just smashed up one of his favourite push-along musical toys (so helpful!). The page describes what baby might be like at 10 months (yes, he likes to be surprised, and understands the word ‘no’) and what toys correspond to his needs, like balance and coordination, for my super speedy cruiser.
It’s certainly going to be a helpful tool for me as my present-buying-extravaganza season approaches. What helps you decide on what toys to buy for your kids or other children in your life?
Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Mom and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Posted: August 31st 2012 under birthdays, family, good things, sponsored.
Tags: babies, fisher price, fisherpricemoms, mom central canada, sponsored, toys