Comments on: Are educational toys really educational? Guest post from MC Milker

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:23:41 +0000

Of course most toys are educational, you just how to work out how.

Dolls are educational as they teach children dressing, undressing, the routines of life and much more.

Painting and craft activities are all educational as they encourage creative play and learning of new skills.

Some toys need a little imagination or parental guidance to get their full educational nature to show but virtually everything has some educational merit.

By: Links: Anarchist, Toys, Kanakuk, Hypocrites, Air Travel at Trying to follow

Links: Anarchist, Toys, Kanakuk, Hypocrites, Air Travel at Trying to follow — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:06:58 +0000

[...] Those ‘Educational’ Toys aren’t what they say they are. [...]

By: MC Milker

MC Milker — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:58:18 +0000

Mel,

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!

By: Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter

Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:19:38 +0000

Hooked on Phonics: thanks so much for stopping by! I give you credit for making a thoughtful, relevent comment on the blog. I’m going to spend some more time on your site.

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.

By: asrai

asrai — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:28:40 +0000

Why can’t toys just be toys? Why is it a toy is so much better than anything else because it’s teaching my kid something? I know it’s important to learn, but there’s way too much emphasis on learning and not so much on playing.

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.

By: Hooked on Phonics

Hooked on Phonics — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:59:05 +0000

All educational companies are not created equal. Hooked on Phonics has distinguished itself from the traditional educational toy market by creating and marketing products that are comprehensive educational programs and not marketed as toys. Our programs feature a multitude of components including workbooks, books, flash cards, and CD-ROMs.

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