The ultimate guide to developmental toys
The importance of movement in play Best developmental toys for grade schoolers According to pediatric occupational therapist Angela Hanscom in the Washington Post, the fact that our children are being deprived of enough time for real physical activity is affecting their ability to learn, and in some cases leading to improper ADHD diagnoses. “We will … Read more
Open play toys for optimal child development According to psychologist Daria Brezinski, PHD, skills such as coping, executive functioning, language and communication, emotional regulatory, cognitive flexibility, and social competence that are typically acquired through children’s play are often circumvented, repressed, and flat-out ignored. In fact, she spends much of her time retraining behavior that arises … Read more
How to pick toys for babies What should the best toy for babies do? Nothing at all. World-renowned child therapist and infant specialist Magda Gerber once wrote that the last thing that parents need is to listen to the “frantic sales pitches for ‘new and better toys’ for ‘new and better babies’. The best toys … Read more
Best summer toys Teachers, parents, and pediatric occupational therapists agree- the evidence is mounting in the case that keeping kids active really does help them learn. A lack of active play has been shown to stunt development in critical ways; and possibly even leads to an increase in social and sensory issues in kids. Without it, kids miss out on important life skills … Read more
General toy safety tips The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires labeling on toys that will be used by children between the ages of 3 and 6. Always verify manufacturers minimum and recommended age on the toy package label. Beyond the age rating, consider the physical and mental abilities of the child who will be … Read more
As the weather heats up and snow melts, families are thinking more and more about playing together outside! Read the Smart-Toys list of cool new Spring and Summer toys for ideas for getting out and playing in nature! According to the Toy Industry Association and NPD Group, the outdoor toy and sporting goods category grew … Read more
Best Spanish toys for toddlers Many schools begin teaching kids foreign languages such as French and Spanish around the sixth grade. But is this too late? Research is very clear that that the earlier a child begins to learn a new language, the better. Due to a concept known as brain plasticity, younger people can … Read more
Fidget toys safety rated for toddlers Toddler fidget toys are a great way to promote the development of fine motor skills including grasping, pinching, and eye-hand coordination. It has been shown that fidget toys are a great tool for older kids to self-regulate, improve memory and concentration, and enhance dedicated focus on cognitively strenuous tasks. Here … Read more
Tons of ideas for playing outside It seemed like winter would last forever, but now it’s nearly Summertime, and the weather is heating up! It’s time to pack away the sweaters and start digging the outdoor toys out of the back of the garage and GET PLAYING! Here at SmartToys we are huge advocates of … Read more
DIY treehouse kits The house on the block with a tree fort is the envy of the entire neighborhood. Outdoor treehouse kits can range from very simple to amazingly complex; but, don’t get too overwhelmed. These days, there are a variety of DIY options and complete building kits that will get you well on your … Read more