What Parents Should Know Before Buying An Electronic Educational Toy

January 19, 2005 -- For many parents, the joy of selecting the perfect educational toy can soon become a daunting task when faced with the wide variety of choices in today's toy market. Studies show that a properly stimulated young mind becomes a smarter mind. Electronic educational toys, aimed at doing just that, are more sophisticated, and more affordable, than ever before. So how does a parent make the right match between their child's needs and an educational electronic plaything Here are 5 important guidelines for making that decision:

1. Age Appropriate. The most common mistake parents make is to buy a toy that is geared either above or below the age of the child for whom the purchase is intended. It is important that the toy be geared specifically to the age of the child for whom the purchase is being made. The package box should help to determine the intended age range. If a demo unit is available in the store, try it out for at least five minutes. Talk to store clerks, or call the manufacturer (most have "800" numbers). Even look for a demo on the Internet or type the toy's name into a search engine to get reviews and feedback. Many toys have software programs available for purchase separately that greatly expand what the toy can teach and the age to which it can function properly. If you succeed in matching the age- appropriateness of the toy to the child, you ensure greater educational effectiveness, less frustration on the part of the child, and increase the likelihood that the child will truly enjoy the toy.

2. Buy a Toy With Staying Power. Some toys are cute, cuddly, unique and fun but will entertain a child for a total of ten minutes. Stay away from such novelty toys. Look instead for a toy with "depth"; one that has multi-dimensional play-value. Add-on programs (usually sold separately) can greatly increase educational effectiveness and sustain interest for a longer time frame. Such toys often take on a life of their own, and will even be enjoyed by younger siblings in years to come.

3. Education is the Key. Most parents want a toy to be more than just a plaything. A toy that educates is more than a toy; it's an educational tool. Young minds need educational stimulation for better academic development and even higher IQ. So parents should look for a toy that teaches specific skills as well as being fun. Such toys are more interactive, will respond to a child's input, and gently reinforce the child's progression through the material being presented. This holiday season, many of these toys are less expensive and better than ever.

4. Stimulation. Generally, the more a toy stimulates the more it motivates. Motivation is the key to the amount of time a child spends with the toy. The more senses a toy stimulates the better. Look for a toy that stimulates multi- dimensionally: i.e. through the use of sounds, voice, lights, and movement. The more a toy stimulates on different levels, the more it can inspire creative thought, develop imagination, and educate.

5. All of the Above. The more of the above mentioned factors a toy possesses the better. Parents should look for a toy that has as many of these attributes as possible. Toys that are perceived as entertaining have "staying power". Toys that stimulate often motivate. Toys that interact and reinforce can educate. Look for a toy with expandable software programs so the toy can grow as your child's abilities and interests grow. In addition, more than one sibling can often use such toys. Overall, a toy that stimulates many senses can better motivate, boost imagination, and educate. Contrary to popular belief, a toy that does a lot does not squelch imagination. Instead, it creates a higher-threshold from where a child's imagination begins. Imagination and challenge generated through play toys is an integral part of a child's learning and development. It was the famed psychiatrist Carl Jung who said it best, "The debt we owe to the play of imagination is incalculable."

Buying the right toy is an important decision. If chosen correctly, the toy will most likely to be cherished by the children who own them and gratify the parents who bought them.

About the Author

Dr. Michael Freeman Ph.D. is the father of electronic educational toys. His current toy is the award winning "Kasey the Kinderbot", the highly educational and stimulating toy robot manufactured by Fisher- Price. Dr. Freeman began his developing of interactive educational toys in 1976 by inventing (and doing the voice for) the famed "2-XL Robot" (manufactured first by Mego Corp. and later by Tiger Electronics), that successfully educated kids for 15 years, was sold worldwide, and was translated into six languages. Next he introduced Electronic "Talk'N Play" (manufactured first by Child Guidance and later by Hasbro), which was the first toy to allow Disney, Sesame Street, and Muppet characters to interact and respond to a child's input. This toy was sold for over a decade. He also licensed other notable toys including "Activity Fun Alphie". His present toy, Kasey the Kinderbot, provides over 80 hours of learning fun and teaches over 40 important leaning skills. To learn more about Kasey the Kinderbot visit: http://www.fisher-price.com/us/kasey/default_flash.asp

For a high resolution photo of Dr. Freeman go to: http://www.hwhpr.com/prclients/Mfreeman/photo/freeman.zip

For a full interactive DEMO of Kasey the Kinderbot by Fisher-Price go to: http://www.fisher-price.com/us/kasey/default_flash.asp

For a high-resolution photo of Kasey the Kinderbot go to: http://www.hwhpr.com/prclients/Mfreeman/photo/Kaseyandfriends.zip

For questions or more information on Dr. Freeman and Kasey the Kinderbot email Alan at: e-mail protected from spam bots

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