All year long but especially as the holidays approach, so does the torrent of advertising for the latest and greatest gizmos, gadgets, and electronics. Commercials, magazines, and pop-up ads barrage us at every turn with deals on plastic toys and games that light up, make noises, move on command or feature popular cartoon characters. Well-meaning friends and relatives might want to give your child one of these trendy gifts.
But what sorts of presents do you believe would truly benefit your growing child? You are probably very mindful regarding what enters your home.
Our preference
CHILD POWERED – NOT BATTERY POWERED! Child powered toys make your children into active learners as opposed to battery powered toys which create a passive state of learning. YULA toys are all based on the Montessori Method of education. If we compare Montessori-approved gifts, which are generally made of wood and promote fine and gross motor learning and real-life skills to typical seasonal holiday toys, which offer instant gratification and sensory stimulation. “It’s like offering candy or broccoli, junk food versus brain food.”
Both adults and children gravitate towards whatever offers immediate gratification – that’s just human nature. However, as we all know, brain food is more beneficial than junk food in the long run.
When deciding what kind of toy to buy for your child, think about what their favorite action is. Does your crawler love to play peek-a-boo? Build things? Help around the house? This can help direct you into prioritizing gifts that inspire active learning and of course, steer your kids away from screens and other passive activities.
Remember! Toddlers and young children are not ready for these types of electronic gifts. The most recent guidelines of the World Health Organization boldly convey the health hazards of electronic screen time for young children, namely, that infants under one year of age should never be exposed to electronic screens, and that children under four should not have more than one hour per day, with the aim of creating healthier adults in both body and mind.
