| Most of us have been there before. You open | | | | oversized paper and crayons, or clay. |
| the mailbox to find a brightly colored | | | | |
| invitation to the birthday party of your | | | | Third, to please both parent and child, shop |
| favorite two year old. You hang the | | | | around for great toddler books. Books made |
| invitation on the refrigerator with great | | | | especially for toddlers are typically ones |
| intentions to stop at the toy store after | | | | made from thick cardboard. They may have |
| work to buy a great birthday gift. Several | | | | pop-up characters, animals with fur that kids |
| weeks later, you realize the party starts in | | | | can pet, and flowers with a scratch-and-sniff |
| 2 hours and you have yet to get the perfect | | | | scent. It is important for parents to read to |
| gift. You jump in the car, race to the toy | | | | their children to introduce them to language |
| store, and run inside. Suddenly, you are | | | | and ideas, and also to instill a sense that |
| surrounded by a sea of remarkable toys and | | | | reading and learning are important. Books |
| start to panic! Take a deep breath and slow | | | | also provide great bonding moments between |
| down for just a minute. These five tips will | | | | parents and children. |
| help you choose the perfect educational toy | | | | |
| and get to the party in time. | | | | Next, remember not to overdo it. Sure, it is |
| | | | tempting to try and pick out the biggest and |
| First, be sure to buy a toy that is for a | | | | best gift that will be at the party. It is |
| toddler. Sure, their parents may tell you | | | | always flattering when the birthday boy or |
| that their child is so advanced, that they | | | | girl latches on to the gift you presented, |
| should be in third grade by now. But lets | | | | and barely lets go long enough to finishing |
| face it; you should buy a toy thats fit for a | | | | opening the rest! But, the size of the gift |
| two year old. Otherwise, the child may not be | | | | and the amount of money you spend is not as |
| interested in it, and end up just playing | | | | important as the impact that your gift may |
| with the box. Also, it is important that they | | | | have on that particular child. Choose |
| toy is in the right age range for the child | | | | something that will stimulate their minds and |
| to make sure it is safe. Little hands and | | | | spur their development. |
| mouths are not safe around toys with little | | | | |
| detachable parts. Most toy stores arrange | | | | Last but not least, think creatively when |
| their products by corresponding age ranges, | | | | shopping for educational toys for toddlers. |
| so head straight to the section designed for | | | | Maybe you could try a plant that they can |
| the child you have in mind. | | | | learn to love, water, and care for, along |
| | | | with their very first watering can. Or |
| Next, think about choosing a gift that allows | | | | perhaps they would enjoy a wardrobe of |
| parents to interact with their child to build | | | | dress-up clothes, so they can pretend to be a |
| skills important for later academic success. | | | | soldier, astronaut, or athlete. |
| It is important for toddlers to be exposed to | | | | |
| letters, letter sounds, and numbers. Look for | | | | When you are racing through the toy store on |
| brightly colored blocks, oversized | | | | the way to another great birthday party, |
| flashcards, or puzzles with letters and | | | | remember to choose a stimulating and creative |
| numbers that may also have a tactile | | | | toy that is age appropriate for your little |
| component like a fuzzy duck or shiny moon. | | | | friend. Just dont forget to grab some |
| Some phonological based toys also talk or | | | | wrapping paper on the way to the cash |
| sing to children. Parents always enjoy | | | | register. |
| helping their child explore and create with | | | | |