Finding Toys that Last For More than a Season (NAPSA)—Children seem to outgrow toys as quickly as they do their new clothes. However, there are toys available that stand the test of time. To find toys that will last for more than a season, heed this advice from the experts: * Follow the “rule of engagement.” Children have short attention spans—according to some studies, it is not until age 6 or 7 that children begin focusing on an activity for one to two hours. Parents should look for toys that are engaging and involve children in challenging activities and inspire them to use their imaginations. Flashing lights, happy characters, fun rhymes, and interactive but- tons capture younger children’s fancy while older children gravitate toward toys with a musical beat, fast-action tactile experiences, and “beat-the-clock” competitions. Look for toys that train the brain versus drain the brain. With children as curious as they are, parents can enhance their inquisitive nature by selecting toys that inspire learning and discovery. Literacy is surprisingly low among today’s youth—according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 40% of third graders read below “grade level.” However, parents can help their children get ahead with toys that inspire a love of learning through fun activities and games. For instance, toys that incorporate encouraging play and reward for participation rather than scold for a wrong answer motivate children to play more. Slightly older children learn well through helpful hints, repetitive questions in an area of difficulty and content personalized to their individual Internet, whereas only 35 percent of schools were connected in 1994. Toys that encourage children to learn to use technology and the Internet in a fun, educational manner will only help further their comfort level as they head off to school. Where can you find toys that meet these criteria? “Parents look for toys that their children will play with over Savvy parents look for toys that educate as a period of time. well as entertain. Companies such as learning level. LeapFrog are producing quality Toys that grow with a child, products with exceptional play stay with a child. Studies show value that are not only fun and that children develop rapidly, educational but evolve with chilespecially during their formative dren’s learning abilities as they years. Within six months, they grow older,” said Jim Silver, co-pubcan advance from looking at sim- lisher of Toy Wishes magazine and ple picture books to recognizing the Toy Report. Popular toys detail and names, turning pages include the LeapPad Learning Sysand saying words. A 3-year-old is tem, which helps children learn to ready to match shapes and col- read through interactive audio, ors and cut with scissors. By 5, characters and music; the Imaginathat same child may be count- tion Desk, which teaches core ing, drawing, riding a bike, and preschool skills through coloring; putting together complicated jig- and the Turbo Twist line, which saw puzzles. Toys that last are incorporates fast-paced, interactive toys that can continue to chal- games that adjust to a player’s lenge children as they develop. learning level. These toys connect Find toys that help ease your to the Internet with the Mind Stachildren into technology. According tion so that parents and children to the National Center for Educa- can extend the life of the products tion Statistics, Internet connectivwith fresh content for never-ending ity is increasing quickly in schools. learning and entertainment. By the fall of 2000, almost all (98 For more information on these percent) public schools in the toys and others, parents can log United States had access to the on to www.leapfrog.com.
