Jean Piaget was a 20th century educational theorist and researcher who has had a significant impact on the way we understand children. He once said that “play is the work of childhood.” He developed the idea that children pass through four distinct stages as they grow from infants into adults. We will discuss these stages and the overall benefits of educational toys in this article.
Sensorimotor: Newborn To 24 Months
The sensorimotor stage occurs from birth through the age of two years. The child progresses from the simple reflexes of a newborn, such as rooting and sucking, to the ability to think symbolically and object permanence. Toys offered during this time should be appropriate to the substage that the child is in.
Newborns and young babies need toys that they can explore safely with their mouths. Throughout the sensorimotor stage, the primary means of learning takes place through the child’s senses. As babies get older toys that yield predictable results, such as a rattle, are important. Eventually, the young toddler will do experiments with the toys to see what kinds of results he or she can get with them. Stacking toys, toys that show causes and effect, toys that children can manipulate are all suitable for children of this stage.
The Preoperational Stage
The age of magical thinking and imagination. Children in this stage cannot yet think logically, but they have wonderful imaginations and enjoy role play, dress up and other educational toys that stimulate creativity and introduce basic academic concepts, such as number sense, reading and social skills, such as turn-taking.
The Concrete Operational Stage
Children in this stage can thinking logically in a limited way. Thinking is very concrete during this period. Any toys that encourage the development of critical thinking skills (puzzles), academic skills and imagination are all appropriate at this time of the child’s life.
Formal Operational: Age Twelve And Up
Throughout the teen years and into adulthood, the child’s ability to think abstractly develops. Less time is spent on playing with toys and more time is devoted to specific hobbies and interests, as well as socializing and friends. Hobbies and other interests should be encouraged by providing the child with experiential activities and opportunities to include his or her friends, when possible.
Short- And Long-Term Effects
Children who have been provided with educational toys continue to reap the benefits of them well into their twenties. IQ test scores are also higher (by as much as 50 points) in children who have been provided educational toys. There are many benefits of educational toys. The child learns interpersonal skills, academic, motor and thinking skills all while having a good time. Every child deserves the advantages of playing with educational toys.
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