Educational Toys and Child Development |
The aim of educational toys is to aid child development particularly
in the early years when language and literacy skills are being
developed. Regrettably many 'educational toys' are of limited use, often engaging only one
facet of child development. Children pre school would benefit from a structured programme of
preschool activities to develop their motor,
numeracy, literacy and cognitive abilities. A new programme is designed to do just that.
The ProblemTeachers and Educational Psychologists have noted that children pre school coming from home, nursery or Sure Start are not acquiring the abilities previously expected of them. Indeed more than half the children tested in one County failed to achieve the expected goals on entry to Reception Class. This is probably due to a more sedentary lifestyle, resulting in fewer preschool activities, and a risk-averse culture, not letting children run around during play. These failings carry forward with children being unable to concentrate in class and also lacking in their motor skills (poor co-ordination). Whilst the area is one of deprivation and educational toys may be out of the range of many parents, Teachers must start to take steps to improve child development. The current situationIn the County, teachers and Educational Pscyhologists are now implementing structured motor programmes on children on entry to Reception with the result that at the end of the first term, the vast majority now reach the expected standard. It would, however be better if the children could learn whilst pre school. The FutureIf children could learn whilst pre school and acquire the skills needed then they would not have to go through the motor Programme in the first term. Realising this, an Educational Psychologist has produced a Child Development Programme for children pre school in the early years. This programme, designed for pre-school children in the Early Years Foundation Stage ( aged 3-5) concentrates on developing key skills in literacy, numeracy, motor skills and information processing. Pre school children can be taught both at home and benefit from nursery education, as well as Sure Start centers. They enjoy the preschool activities and the programme has the advantage over educational toys in that more than one facet of their early learning takes place. The programme encourages development in all aspects of child development: language, literacy, numeracy, motor (gross and fine) and cognitive ability. |