How to Avoid Abandoned Toy Syndrome
Okay parents, Christmas is less than two weeks gone and it’s time to take a poll. How many of the toys your kids received are still being played with? By the kids who received them, that is. Not by an older or younger sibling or parent. How many of the toys have been cast aside?
Does It Make You a Little Crazy?
Does it make you a little crazy to see how quickly the kids blow through their new toys? Well, help is on the way in the form of two blog posts designed to make parents better toy shoppers. Now, you may be thinking this information is on the late side. But I prefer to think of it as way early for Christmas 2012 and just in time for parents of kids with winter birthdays.
Thank You Again, Ellen Seidman
But back to those resources mentioned a minute ago. Ellen Seidman (her blog LoveThatMax is one of my faves) postes 7 smart shopping tips at To the Max, her blog at Parent Magazine’s website. Her tips are:
- Make sure it’s the child’s idea of fun
- Make sure the toy is at the child’s skill level
- Ask experts for recommendations
- Ask other parents for recommendations
- Give the gift of access
- Do a trial run
- Check out online lists
She fleshes out the tips and includes oodles of links at To the Max.
Thank You, Time to Play Magazine
Another good resource is Time to Play magazine. They review toys for kids with special needs, dividing toys into ten categories: fine motor skills, gross motor skills, sensory, constructive play, pretend play, cause and effect, academic toys, emotional/social skills, tech/apps, books. Each review includes a picture, an age recommendation, and information about how it helps a child learn through play. Unlike many other lists, this one can be accessed all year long, not just around the holidays. Check it out at www.TimetoPlay.com.
What Resources Have You Found?
Have you found resources that are helpful when shopping for toys? Please leave a comment or link if you have. Or if you have a toy to recommend, leave a comment about it, too.
Happy shopping,
Jolene
