You make a good point, one that I lament and have written about in the past. The best toy for a baby is a parent. But, this is not always possible and really…it isn’t…take it from a parent who was laughed at for spending too much time with her child( I ignored them).

So the best toys, per my research are: blocks, dolls, stacking toys…in other words…all the stuff children played with before electronic toys. The big issue, as you mention is lack of information. parents JUST DON”T KNOW. I didn’t know prior to becoming a parent even though(or maybe because) I worked in children’s marketing !!

Parents For Ethical Marketing works very hard to close that gap. I’m proud to be a member!

asrai: Toys can be toys. Blocks are blocks and puzzles are puzzles. Both have stood the test of time because they are fun. However, I’ve got a problem with corps who claim their toy is “educational” when it isn’t (for example, Baby Einstein videos that claim to help children learn — when in fact experts recommend no child under 2 watch any TV at all.

We also make dinner together here at our house. It takes longer, and is much messier, but you’re right — good entertainment. Thanks for stopping by.

Like Kindergarten used to get kids ready for school. Now, your child is behind if they aren’t sent to preschool/pre-K to get them ready for kindergarten.

Like the first commenter said, parents want to feel less guilty about not spending time with their children. And then they are all up in arms when their children go off into the world with no real life skills. Now, excuse me, I’m going to go make supper with my daughter. IT’s the best entertainment I know of, and I’m hoping in a few years, she can take over that chore. LOL. J/K.

The systematic approach used in all of our programs and highlighted in our marketing is very easy to find on our website. We proudly post how our programs work, what phonics is, as well as our research basis for our core line of products.

We do not make claims we can’t substantiate and focus our marketing efforts on parents, not children.

Best,
Hooked on Phonics

So not by way of argument, but I was struck what you didn’t write about: Eighteen-month-olds don’t buy stuff; their parents do. What are we to do about parents who (a) are suckers and buy this stuff either because (b) at best because they’re convinced their 18-month-olds need to learn math, say, to help calculate how quickly the Social Security system will go broke or (b) at worst they feel less guilty plopping their kids in front of a computer screen instead of a TV set, thereby freeing up their own time to watch hilarious reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond and drink red wine in bottles adorned with attractive labels? (I’m Exhibit A.)