Having given advice for the purchase of toys for babies, and Children from 3 to 6 years, today we dedicate this space to kids over six, and up to 10 years. We regularly read about toys for children ages 6 to 12, however many children at 10 have already started to change. and they are teenagers; early childhood at those ages are over. Their tastes and preferences will also be modified when playing, although we will tell you about this another day.
We will therefore talk about children from the beginning of Primary Education, although of course, a six-year-old child has little to do with another who is already looking further outside the home, being attracted to his peer group, rather than toys; Still, we have tried to summarize all the toys you may like. This does not mean that if an older child wants to play with toys we should prevent it, it is not my intention to convey that idea, because I defend that parents should stick to their personal interests. If you remember, we had introduced the idea that between the stages of the game, is The Game of Rules, and that (approximately) is acquired from 6 or 7 years.
The rule is part of children's play since they are younger, but at this age they are already able to decide based on other people, and the interpersonal relationship gains more strength; It is true that they still have a characteristic inherent to childhood, which is the search for the immediate, the obtaining of pleasure, therefore that rule of which we speak, they still perceive it as losing / winning, not based on the possibility of negotiating or cooperating. With children over 7 years old, you will notice a real interest in others of the same age and similar, and that determines both the environment in which they prefer to play (the street, the park, the house but with other children); like toys, which progressively become 'games': table, team (foosball), etc.
How to choose toys for children from 3 to 6 years: what will we take into account?
- I will not tire of repeating it: safety is the most important. Verify the CE marking and make sure that the product is suitable for the age of the girl or boy.
- Let's avoid gender stereotypes: if a girl wants to play with dolls, let her play; if you prefer to do it with super heroes, too.
- To avoid boredom, look for stimulating and fun toys, let the child participate and be active in the game; There are many little ones who do not like very complex toys because they force them to be passive.
- Learn to differentiate from misleading advertising, and train children to do the same
- Since at those ages many already have a console (laptop or desktop), or tablet; let's be careful when choosing video games. There is a classification that in Europe responds to the acronym PEGI (over 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18). If you choose games from categories higher than your child's age, you may find inappropriate content for their age.
- Let's make a pact with the extended family: it is not educational for a child to receive more than 3 toys, they must learn to value what they receive, and to keep it.
How to choose toys for children from 3 to 6 years: what toys to give?
It does not hurt, that the children gradually assume the task of collecting and ordering toys, especially if it is played in common spaces, and that they learn to take into account the characteristics of who plays with them; for example the 2-year-old brother, another child with a disorder that makes it difficult for him to communicate, etc. Above all they are people, and we want them to understand and accept the needs of others.
Most appropriate types of toys.
- They love them outdoor games: skittles, balls, tops, elastic and jump ropes, stilts, chalk to paint on the floor, etc.
- Toys to move around (watch out! give also helmet and other protections): bicycle, skateboard, scooter.
- Scientific and experimental games (microscope, toys to experiment with light, etc.)
- Jboard games (dominoes, chess, Monopoly, the Goose, etc.), and cards.
- Car or motorcycle circuits.
- Remote control toys (helicopters or cars).
- Imitation games: kitchen set, knitting game, make up, baby care.
- Stuffed animals, puppets and dolls.
- Construction games with small pieces (LEGO or Playmobil type)
- Symbolic game: costumes, accessories.
- Musical instruments.
- Paintings, gardening games, more complex puzzles.
- Video game.
- Books (appropriate in format and content at his age), I consider them essential.
As you will see, there are more possibilities to give away, the difficult thing is to respond to the interests of the children, for this you must talk with them about their preferences, and listen to them
As you can see, our series of articles dedicated to the choice of toys, it is being completed little by little; We will continue with other related content that you will surely like. Always remember that they are still children, and that play is a necessity for them, you must respect it and facilitate it.
Images - (Second) John-morgan, (Fourth) jen_rab, (Last) storebukkebruse