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