Toys and Games – Reviews and News

Posts on this blog are usually regarding physical toys for children but after reading an interesting story in a well known national newspaper this morning I have decided to change tact slightly. The internet is becoming increasingly popular amongst young school children who enjoy using the medium to play online games via websites like CBeebies and young demographic social networking-meets-gaming website Moshi Monsters.  My own seven year old is even taught using the internet and is regularly set homework that needs to be completed via online means!

But there is growing concerns that the fascination (some might even say “obsession”) with online gaming amongst children is having a negative impact on their ability to learn during school hours. One primary school teacher – 40 year old Richard Gribble – told several newspapers of how after conducting a study he found that 78% of his students (aged 10 and 11) often used their home computers until 4am, so it is not ridiculous to imagine that children just a few years younger than those surveyed are also doing the same. Many children also admitted to waking up extra early in order to browse the internet before school. Children who do this we not get enough hours of sleep and this will greatly impact their levels of concentration at school and therefore, their overall academic performance.

The teacher also worryingly discovered that 64% of the youngsters he asked had also seen image of a sexual nature online.

Alarmed parents shouldn’t take the action of completely banning their children from the home computer or WWW however. Online access for children can most definitely be beneficial to them – we are living in an increasingly technology driven world so learning IT skills from an early age is important and the ‘net can also be an excellent communication tool. It is imperative however to supervise the browsing of younger children and to install parental settings on your PC to protect your kids from content you would really rather they did not see.

And obviously, children should be sent to bed at a reasonable time. Sleep is very important from growing kids!

Gwen Toole is the author of this article. She works as an Easy Offices Soho receptionist by day but enjoys penning guest blogs for various websites whenever she gets a spare moment

We all know that buying video games is not cheap. At around £40 each for games, going even higher if you buy the limited editions, because of this, making a game last as long as possible and keeping it fresh is becoming ever more important. This is where downloadable content pops up. Many games these days are releasing additional content for you to buy and download. Here are just a few to be aware of it you are continuously looking at your games looking for something new.

If you can’t get enough of the Halo games, but you’re getting bored of the multiplayer maps, maybe it’s time for you to buy some of the new content that’s available. There are currently 3 downloadable packs with new maps, there is the Cold Storage Map which is a single map and this one is free, then there is the Heroic Map Pack and the Legendary Map Pack which both cost 800 Microsoft Points. Both of the packs that cost 800 MS points come with some brand new achievements for you to unlock. However, if you already have these, then you’ll be pleased to know that there is a brand new pack coming out on April 9th which yet again will cost 800 MS points.

Just like Halo 3, the guys over at Epic have released a number of maps for the Gears of War 2 multiplayer. Gears of War 2 has 3 different map packs on the Marketplace and the first is the Flashback Multiplayer Map pack which contains 5 new maps for you to fight across, all for a small fee of 400 MS points. The next 2 packs both costs 800 Microsoft Points and they are called the Combustible Multiplayer Map Pack which contains 3 new maps and also the brand new Snowblind Multiplayer Map Pack.

If first person shooter games are not really your thing, then how about some extra content for the best skating game out there, Skate 2. There are 5 different packs available to buy and they cover things from new skate areas to new filming features. First there is the San Van Classic Pack which allows you to skate in 3 areas from the first game, there is also some new achievements to unlock in each of these areas, this pack will cost you 800 MS points. The next one is the Drydek’s Fantasy Plaza Pack, this pack costs 400 MS points and allows you to skate around the course for Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory show. The final packs don’t come with any maps, however, you may fancy buying them. The first one is the Filmer Pack, this costs 600 MS points and it allows you to use new angles, views and add new finishing touches to your films. If you fancy changing the look of your skate then this next pack is for you, it’s called the Throwback Pack and it’s free, so no reason not to get it and it basically comes with new apparel for your skater. The final pack is called Time is Money Pack and costs 400 MS points, this pack allows you to unlock all the skaters, areas and gear for your skater.

Almost at the end of the post here, but not quite yet. The next game up is Mirror’s Edge, so if running across building tops against the clock is your sort of thing, then you should get your hands on this new pack. It’s called the Pure Time Trials Pack and will cost you 800 MS points, and what you get for your money is 9 new time trials across 7 whole new areas, there are no cops and no guns to slow you down, just pure agility maps that push you to the limit and get you playing at your best. Yet again, there are some new achievements designed for this pack aswell.

The final game is Fallout 3. This game has 2 packs which allow ou to continue the campaign in new areas and against new foes. Both of these packs cost 800 MS points, the first one is The Pitt, this one requires you to travel to Pittsburgh, now called The Pitt, and uncover the secret that has caused the people of The Pitt to be attacked by disease and mutation. The second pack is the Operation: Anchorage pack which takes you into the military campaign where you have to fight against Chinese Communist Invaders, but you can leave your old weapons behind as you can get your hands on some of the new gear available like the Gauss Rifle.

That’s all I’m going to inform you about at the moment, just make sure you watch the various marketplaces to get the latest content when it comes out. Also, I hope this blog post helps you get playing some of your older games.

For even more video game news and a whole bunch of video game reviews, check out ScroobyOnline.

Mandarin is the official language of China and Taiwan. It is the dialect of the majority in Mainland China and the Chinese overseas. Cantonese is not as commonly used since Britain’s turnover of Hong Kong to China. It may become a dialect that is used among family and friends, or for business purposes, Mandarin is more practical to learn. ChildBook has also carried Cantonese products in the past that took forever to sell.

Language coursed were offered to students when they were 12 years old in 1980s America. When to 2000, children are way ahead of the game in this ten years. Schools across America have made foreign language a requirement to graduate and also start the students as young as 5 years old. Beyond that, they aren’t just offering the usual French, Spanish, Italian and German they’re offering the language of the present, and certainly the future – Mandarin Chinese.

Learning Chinese at an early age has shown that children grasp the language more readily. Beacause the brain can compart various languages correctly when at a young age. This makes it easier for the child to attain the native pronunciation and grammar. Not only has research shown that learning a foreign language enhances cognitive development, but overall basic skills performance in elementary school children as well.

People will lack self-consciousness when they learn a language at an earlier age. When there is the tendency to be afraid of pronouncing the words incorrectly, children are more apt to try out new words and phrases then when they are older. The spontaneity leads to learning to speak Chinese with a quicker fluency.

If you’re looking for additional ways to assist your child in learning Chinese, new types of technology which weren’t available in the past can help students outside the classroom. The Nintendo DS, for example, has a product which guides you through a Chinese language tutorial. And with the innovation of the web, it’s become easier to learning Chinese online.

It is a sad state of affairs when a senior citizen finds that his or her identity has been stolen through a scam. Perhaps they were not educated on preventing identity theft because they did most of their business and personal transactions in person. But with more turning to the internet to stay connected, they are left open. Even sadder than that are the children who have had their identities stolen from institutions that are supposedly safe. Identity theft prevention has to cover children now just as much as adults and senior citizens.

Lifelock Identity Theft Protection

Identity theft prevention for children starts at the education level. Preschools, elementary schools and high schools always ask for the child’s social security number as a means of verification and to keep track of the child’s education. But you will often have to fill out sheets for the teacher’s classroom as well. You do not have to give your child’s social security number to his or her teacher. If they ask for it, then ask them why they need it. This same principle applies to daycare centers, activity groups and organizations.

Lifelock Identity Theft Prevention

If the group claims that they need it for identification purposes, then you can always go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles and ask for an identification card. Just explain to the organization that preventing identity theft is of great importance to you. There are countless news stories of an identity thief using a child’s information to create a new identity for themselves. The information provided to the organization could be easily stolen. You can do your part to stop identity theft before it begins by just using this little bit of common sense.

If you are worried that your child’s information has been compromised by a loved one or a care giver, then you need to report identity theft right away to the proper authorities. The identity thief needs to be caught and then appropriately punished for his or her actions. This will help you correct all of the information on the credit reports. Yes, even children who have had their identity stolen will have a credit report.

Identity theft prevention begins at home. Your job is to protect your child from danger and identity thief is definitely a danger to your child’s future. Keep your their information private and be careful about who has access to it. The more you do now; the better off the child will be later down the road when it comes to their financial future.

LifeLock Protection

Introduction

Ionic air purifiers hold the promise of clean air, purified of all known harmful contaminants that threaten our health. Naked eyes cannot see these harmful contaminants. Invisible ions battling invisible contaminants appears to make perfect sense. I am drawn to this intuitive logic. Yet, even before an hour of internet research has lapsed, a whole deluge of controversy is thrown up by google. Even though I am tempted to quickly get an ionic air purifier to clean the air I breathe, it is clear that more time and effort is needed. Product safety must take precedence over effectiveness in choosing an ionic air purifier.

The recent China melamine saga that killed infants also serves as a reminder to us that in buying into any technology or any product, all claims by manufacturers and distributors must be examined to the fullest extent that our resources permit. This is especially so where the key reactive agent is invisible to the naked eye. Investigating ionic air purifier technologies falls within this ambit as the reactive agents are invisible ions.

This article is an overview of existing ionic air purifier technology in the marketplace. Trying to understand the science behind the technologies seems to be the logical place to begin searching for the ideal ionic air purifier. The creation of a powerful invisible defence shield against airborne molecular contaminants is increasingly taking centrestage. The dominant global health threat under the scrutiny of scientists is the avian flu virus.

Types of Ionic Air Purifier Technologies

Broadly speaking, air purification technologies can be deployed in either passive or active modes. Under passive technology modes, reactive agents are contained in the air purifier whilst impure air is drawn in for cleansing before being pushed back to the environment. Active mode depicts the proactive process of bringing the purifying reactive agents into the surrounding impure air. Savvy marketeers often seek to cover all the bases by combining both passive and active modes in many ionic air purifiers.

In the global market today, ionic air purifier technologies include the following categories:

(A) Ion generator – positive and negative ions
(B) Ion generator – negative ions only
(C) Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)
(D) Electrostatic filter
(E) Combos

Ion Generator – Positive and Negative Ions

This combination of positive and negative ions appears to show the most promise for the future of ionic air purifier technology. Pioneered by the Japanese corporate giant, Sharp Corporation, they are known as plasmacluster ions.

Sharp Corporation’s marketing efforts focus on the ability of plasmacluster ions to surround and cling on to harmful airborne bacteria and viruses. When this happens, hydroxyl is produced. Hydroxyl, also known as nature’s detergent, is a powerful reactive species that plucks out hydrogen molecules from the organic structure of these airborne particulates thereby destroying them. The by-products of this chemical reaction, mainly water, are harmless.

A differential ion generator is used in this technology, comprising a positive and a negative ion generator which can be powered in alternate cycles to control the type of ions generated.

Advocates of the positive and negative ions combination claim that a balance of both these ion types is to be found in places like waterfalls and pristine forests, i.e. this is the actual state in nature. Proponents of negative ions believe that negative ions dominate the environment in these natural habitats and even insist that positive ions are harmful. In this regard, I have yet to find independent scientific studies as evidence for the contradictory claims of both camps.

Ion Generator – Negative Ions

The traditional ionic air purifier produces only negative ions. This technology appears to have the main market share currently but is facing a serious challenge from Sharp’s plasmacluster positive and negative ions technology.

It is claimed that nearly all harmful airborne particulates like dust, smoke and bacteria etc have a positive charge. The positive charges are continually attracted to the negative charges of the ions until sheer mass makes them sink to the ground. Vacuuming removes these neutralised impurities and therefore protects us from them. Weighing down the particulates does nothing to destory them, according to critics, and merely walking on them causes the air to be polluted again.

There appears to be several methods of producing negative ions. This has significance as the various methods result in different by-products, some of which are harmful. These methods include:

(1) Water method – this employs what is known as the waterfall or Lenard Effect. Onto a metal plate that is electrically-charged, water droplets are splashed. This splits the water droplets, a process in which large numbers of negative ions are produced. It is claimed that no harmful by-products are produced by the water method.

(2) Electron radiation method – this is based on a single negative discharge electrode needle. Negatively-charged electrons are produced by the millions when a high voltage pulse is applied to the electrode. This method does not result in ozone being produced. This is believed to be due to the application of a “smaller” energy pulse.

(3) Corona discharge method – this is based on a dual electrode model, a sharp metal electrode and a flat electrode. An extremely high voltage is then applied to the two electrodes. This causes the movement of electrons between the electrodes thereby ionising the air in between them. An inherent weakness of this method is the production of harmful by-products like ozone and nitride oxide.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)

This technology is commonly applied in a passive mode. Hydroxyl, nature’s detergent, is the key reactive agent in POC technology.

Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light is commonly shone on a catalyst (usually titanium oxide) to produce hydroxyl, oxygen and peroxide, all of which are potent oxidising agents that are very effective at destroying the organic structure of micro-organisms and gaseous volatile organic compounds.

Complete and comprehensive action is the pillar of POC technology. Proponents of this technology claim that POC inactivates ALL categories of indoor pollution, including:

(1) airborne particulates i.e. dust, pet dander, plant pollen, sea salts, tobacco smoke, industrial and car pollution, etc

(2) bioaerosols i.e. infectious biological compounds (e.g. viruses and pathogenic bacteria) or non-infectious (e.g. non-pathogenic bacteria, molds, cell debris)

(3) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. gaseous chemicals or odours – benzene, styrene, toluene, chloroform, hexane, ethanol, formaldehyde and ethylene all common emissions from everyday products of our modern home.

Detractors of POC technology are wary of the inability of hydroxyl to distinguish between the organic structures of molecular contaminants and that of our nose membrane, lung tissue and eye cornea.

Electrostatic Filter

This technology appears to have originated in heavy industries which produced abundant pollutants. In the most common electrostatic filter arrangement, there is a porous dielectric material positioned between two electrodes. Dielectric materials do not conduct electricity while metallic electrodes are excellent conductors that transmit and receive electricity.

As impure air is drawn into the electrostatic purifier, it passes through the dielectric material which acts as a sieve. Electrostatic forces between the electrodes causes airborne particulates i.e.dust, smoke contaminants, etc, to stick to the dielectric surface. Out of the other end of the purifier, cleaned air is recirculated.

Quite often, an ion source is placed before the electrostatic filter to impart an electric charge to the airborne particulates. Charging the impurities make them adhere more effectively to the dielectric material.

Criticism of electrostatic filter technology focuses on ozone as a by-product, commonly assumed to be produced in all ionisation processes.

Combo Ionic Air Purifiers

To cater to the various adherents and critics of the diverse technologies, combos incorporate all or some of the above types of technologies. Combos may include:

(1) adsorptive materials such as activated carbon or oxygenated charcoal (known for its extremely porous large surface area) are added to POC technology to enhance the removal of VOCs;

(2) oxidizing catalysts like titanium oxide are coated on various components of all types of air purifiers to enhance VOC elimination;

(3) reducing catalysts such as manganese dioxide are coated near the exit outlets of many air purifiers to reduce reactive species like ozone and nitric oxide which may be harmful;

(4) generating ions by differing methods such as using microwave, UV light, radio frequency waves, and direct current;

(5) tweaking the specifications of any ionic air purifier technology so as to attain the well-known HEPA status without actually using HEPA filters.

Obviously, the process of selecting the most efficient and effective ionic air purifier involves analysing a deluge of information. And I have not even touched on the safety aspects of each technology. I have also not examined in detail the claims of each technology. So before you put your money down for any air purifier in your homes, offices, schools, etc, check back here for updates as I continue my quest for the ideal ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

In fact, if you decide to get rid of them, toys can be sold anywhere there is alwys a demand for toys. Internet is a powerfull marketplace with whole world connected and 24/7 operation. Selling your old toys is only limited by your imagination.

One of the largest marketplaces on the internet is eBay. EBay allows you to sell anything you desire. It´s a website with millions of listings and a large number of followers with cash to burn. Wanna sell your kids old toys? Check eBay. EBay is the only place to sell if you want the world to bid on your toys. The only negative side of eBay is the listing fee, which is quite cheap though and the fact that some winners of auctions don´t pay for the item they have won. Apart from that, eBay is an essential resource.

 

Another great way to sell your old toys is to soak up the sun on the weekends and set up a store at the markets. Don´t expect a big audience to sell to and the people that attend these markets are looking for bargains and collectibles. Also it´s a great way to socialize with friendly people and do some networking at the same time.

It´s amazing what people will pay for your old toys. Like the old saying goes, one mans trash is another mans treasure. Have you ever tried selling your toys in the local paper? The local classifieds are cheap and very effective. People are catching on to this creating a viable market place for second hand goods

Have you heard of Craiglist and USFreeads. These two websites are also used to place classifieds and ads. You can place a small ad on these sites and get world wide exposure. These sites are similar to eBay but they offer noi auctions.

Overall there are many ways to sell your old toys. Try to host a store at the local market, for example. Either way you are guaranteed to sell your toys. So what price tag to do you put on your toys? A good indication of price is to search the internet and see what the median price is. This will only be used as a guide because a lot of factors influence the price of toys. When determining the price range for an old toy you must consider factors like the make, the condition and the scarcity.

If you have the suspicion that your toy is valuable or a collectible, it might be in your best interest to get professional help. Antique dealers can give you an accurate value of the toy in question. Never leave it to chance. Don´t sell something too cheap if it has a real value. Do your research and use common sense when trying to sell your old childhood memories.

Please visit Ride-On Excavators to get more information.

Not many cherished childhood characters remain popular year after year. The characters of Sesame Street have been teaching children highly valuable life lessons for nearly four decades now. Their staying power is down to several things, not least of which are their educational toys, which are designed to make learning lots of fun for small children.

 

This year’s must-have item for younger kids is Elmo Live by Fisher-Price. Elmo Live is the next generation of interactive educational toys depicting the cuddly and charming Elmo. The first interactive Elmo, the now legendary Tickle-Me Elmo, was a runaway hit with kids and parents alike. It helped children to learn all about shapes, colours, letters and numbers simply by having fun with their Elmo doll.

Tickle-Me Elmo proved to be such a huge hit that it became nothing short of a worldwide phenomenon. Elmo Live by Fisher-Price is another great interactive version of Elmo that is designed to help teach children everything they need to grow mentally. With just a tickle or squeeze of his little body, Elmo Live comes to life to play with your children and give them hours of educational fun.

Elmo is able to move his arms and mouth, cross his legs and turn his head while playing the part of storyteller to children – this new must-have item from Fisher Price tells stories, sings songs and plays games for as long as your children are able to keep up. Elmo Live is exactly the furry friend your children need to motivate them to learn valuable life lessons through playing.

Elmo Live by Fisher-Price is a huge advance in the realm of educational toys, and is designed specifically to entertain and inform children. Elmo has really come to life with this enchanting new toy, and he will help your children start learning at an early age while having fun. Be sure not to delay though, as Elmo Live is set to be the biggest toy for young children on the market for Christmas 2008, and quite rightly so.

 

There are some great items out there for your boys and girls this year, but we all know how hard it can sometimes be to figure out what they’re wanting and how to get it at any one time. Thus we thought we would bring you a few helpful tips on the most sought after girls and boys toys are for this Christmas. As ever, there are some fantastic and ingenious toys on the market, and all of them would make ideal Christmas gifts, but which is best? Let’s take a look at the best boys toys for Christmas first.

Merchandise from TV shows and movies is as big as ever, if not more so this year. Some of the hottest items in this arena include the Ben 10 Omnitrix, the Bakugan starter set and battle arena, the Power Rangers Overdrive Tracker and the WWE Raw Arena playset. Transformers have returned to Christmas lists thanks to the movie, the forthcoming sequel and the new animated series. Airhogs, Flying RC helicopters and Bladestar are there for young fans of flying machines.

Star Wars is big again thanks to the Clone Wars TV series and movie, with the Clone Trooper Voice Changer Helmet being one of the biggest draws this year for young fans. There’s also action figures and the great Star Wars Lego range available too. Wall-E fans have the Transforming Wall-E toy to look forward to, and Indiana Jones fans can now dress up as their hero with the great Whip and Hat replica. The Gormiti Island playset is perfect for children too, offering a great way to display their figures.

What about the girls? It can feel like an uphill struggle when trying to figure out what are the best toys for girls at Christmas, and the choice is always growing. The classics, such as dolls and animal toys, are always around and always evolving, with advances in technology meaning that these toys are ever more interactive and ever more engrossing. The problem is, which to get this year, from the huge range available? The best thing to do is check out ‘top ten’ sites, or see what is doing well in the charts on large outlets such as Amazon. Then you can compare prices of the items and the postage, and decide on what is the best deal for you this Christmas time.

While dolls and more traditional toys are always popular each year, the range of official media tie-in merchandise from movies, TV and games are proving to be ever more popular,. This year there’s a wide range of merchandise available to do with High School Musical, for example. There's an official High School Musical dance mat that will let kids learn the moves and lyrics, and there's also some great sing-along Fashion dolls available, as well as countless other items for the franchise.

Other classics back on the market include Barbie with the Singing princess Liana doll, Littlest pet Shop with the VIP pets, Sylvanian Families, Bratz and more. New hits this year include the Baby Born with Magic Potty set, the Chou Chou Doll who grows her first teeth, and I Love Ponies Honey my Baby Pony.

There are some great tech gifts available too, with items such as pink laptops, the new iPod nano, the My Life Virtual Console and even pink guitars out there now to make girls’ Christmas wishes come true this year. There are some great ideas for Christmas gifts for girls on the market this year, and lots of new items that girls will love for years to come.
There really is a massive range of items available for children this year, and we hope that our tips help you towards the best gifts Christmas ever. Good luck, and have a great time this festive season!

In recent months there have been some highly publicised reports of toys being recalled due to safety concerns. How can parents and carers be certain that the toys they are providing for their little ones are actually safe?

The recent recall of certain Chinese manufactured toys has sparked fears amongst parents and carers regarding the safety of the toys provided for their children. But these toy recalls represent less than 1% of the toys sold in the UK. In fact, only about 1.5% of all accidents that occur in the home are actually toy related and toy defects are rarely cited as the cause of accident or injury. Most toy related accidents in the home are due to adults tripping over them!

But what can you do to ensure that the toys that you buy for your children are safe? Here are a few basic suggestions that will help you to choose safe toys:

Buy from a respected, reputable toy store: Shops like these will only be stocking toys that have undergone rigorous quality control and safety checks. Many of these toys will have been used and enjoyed safely by generations of happy children. Buying traditional, maybe wooden toys is often a very safe bet.

Look for toy safety markings: The Lion Mark can only be used by manufacturers who have signed up to the BHTA strict code of practice. The CE mark indicates that a toy conforms with the European Toy Safety Directive, but is not really a mark of safety. Age indicators provide you with guidance regarding the suitability of a toy to a particular age group.

Common sense: Inspect the toy yourself. Look out for small parts, sharp edges, flaky paint, poor quality manufacture etc. Don’t go buying rubbish from the market or a car boot sale.

Keep the play area clean and tidy: Not really related to purchasing safe toys but good advice if you want to minimise the risk of accidents.

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For top quality traditional wooden toys that have been enjoyed by generations of growing children visit the excellent Mulberry Bush Online Toy Store.

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It is a well known fact that children learn through play. This principle applies to babies as well as older children. But what forms of play and what types of toys and games are suitable for which age groups?

The department for children, schools and families have produced what is described as ‘A framework to support children in their early years’ which is entitled ‘Birth to three matters’. It is aimed at practitioners, by which I think they mean those involved in looking after very young children, which must mean every parent of young children.

Young kids are naturally curious. Initially they may be content to simply feel things and stare at them but they quickly move on to find out what they can do with them, what they taste like, what they sound like when bashed etc.

Household objects, packaging and boxes are often found to occupy and interest a child far more than the expensive toys that were contained within. They will often happily gather items and put them in a box only to tip them out and do it over again. This activity strengthens cognitive development as well as psychomotor skills development through their own investigation of the objects and their own physical attributes, gripping, manipulating, moving etc.

The term ‘Heuristic Play’ was coined by Elinor Goldshmied and Sonia Jackson in their book ‘People Under Three’ to describe how to provide a structured learning experience that engages children in these types of activities. Heuristic play is intended to give the young child the opportunity to experiment and learn through doing.

Adults don’t get involved in heuristic play sessions. They allow the children to make their own decisions and discoveries. Interestingly heuristic play can be a very social experience for young children. Although each may be engaged in their own activities they are often very aware of what their peers are up to and this can help them to interact and to develop their social skills.

So what sorts of toys are right for young children? Many toy manufacturers make grand claims about how beneficial their fancy plastic toys will be to your child’s development but many of these toys are very limited and don’t provide much scope for imaginative, creative play.

A plentiful supply of stationery and markers, paints, crayons, chalk and blackboards is always good, as well as the space in which to play messily with these things. Facilities that allow and encourage kids to climb and balance are also an excellent way to help develop physical confidence and psychomotor skills. Pretend play is particularly good for older toddlers and some suitable props such as safe kitchen utensils, dress up clothes etc. can be very beneficial. Dolls, model animals, teddy bears and other related props can also be useful in this context.

Games are also a great way to encourage children to interact. The game may be something simple like passing a ball or playing skittles or drawing a picture together. Bathtime can be a great learning opportunity for little children, enabling them to gain confidence in water through bathtime play and a few well chosen toys can help enhance their bathtime experience and make it less of a chore for the parent.

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure a that their child has access to well resourced indoor and outdoor learning environments. But this doesn’t necessarily mean spending lots of money. The play resources need to be adequately versatile and safe. They may include household objects, found objects, fir cones, plant pots, pebbles and the like. There are, of course, many reputable toyshops that sell genuine learning toys that will benefit toddler’s development. These include the well know Early Learning Centre, and my personal favourite and highly recommended Mulberry Bush. Mulberry Bush have an excellent selection of Traditional Wooden Toys which are far more appealing than many of todays plastic imitations. They also have some excellent Learning Toys which will encourage creative, imaginative play and enable parents to provide the learning environments that their young children need.