Educational Toys for Kids

Educational toys can be beneficial in the learning and development of not only children, but also with individuals living with certain disabilities. Some argue that kids learn by observing the environment around them, so any toy or object can be educational. A toy is categorized as educational when it is made to instruct and promote intellect while aiding in the emotional and/or physical development of a child. In this article, we will look at some of the benefits of educational toys and the major manufacturers that make them.

Benefits

Educational toys have been proven beneficial in both a child's early development and in the classroom. In the area of development, educational toys can enhance the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development in children of all ages. Patience, hand-eye coordination and an understanding of causal relationships are all areas that are stimulated in a child even with basic educational toys like wooden blocks. In the school years, items such as computer games, musical instruments, board games and interactive toys engage students and spark interests while teaching subjects like reading, writing, math, history and science.

LeapFrog Enterprises

LeapFrog Enterprises is the brainchild of Michael Wood, a Stanford University and Hastings College of Law graduate, in 1995. Wood was frustrated with the lack of products on the market that could help his struggling son with his reading skills. LeapFrog now designs and develops technology-based educational products for children, from infants to grad-school age. LeapFrog products are in homes and schools all over the world. Based in Emeryville, California, LeapFrog products focus on reading, writing, phonics and math. Some of the more popular educational products are LeapPad and Leapster. Other products are Step Along Learning Band Walker, Zippity, Tag Jr. and ClickStart.

Fisher-Price

One of the most recognized names in world, Fisher-Price is the well-known maker of developmental toys for infants and children. Conceived in 1930 by Herman Fisher, Irving Price, Margaret Evans Price and Helen Schelle, Fisher-Price is a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. Headquartered in East Aurora, New York. Fisher-Price makes educational toys like Sing-Along Music Maker and Little People, which educate infants by familiarizing them with the world outside their doors. Fisher-Price toys have been beneficial in the education of children by concentrating on speech recognition, letters and numbers.

Playskool

Hasbro, the makers of the Playskool products, was founded in 1923 by brothers Henry and Helal Hassenfeld. The company historically provided items such as school supplies and pencil boxes, which aided in the academic success of children. In 1995, Playskool products were born with the slogan, "Feeling good about the Playskool years." From the beginning, Playskool was dedicated to the educational development of children ages 5 and under. Toys like Mr. Potato Head, Pipeworks and Clippo strengthen the motor skills in children. Other educational toys produced by Playskool are Peek 'n Play Dome and Noodleboro Learning about Manners.

Hooked on Phonics

Another company that was started by a father looking to build strong reading skills in his son, Hooked on Phonics began in the 1980s and hit the mainstream market in the 1990s. The company started as a program that focused on phonics as a reading tool. The concept has now been translated over to computer games, flash cards and music accompanied by books that teach letter-sound correlations. One item that received much praise is the Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Kindergarten System.