Play & Learn

Toys and Books
Recommended Books Suggested Toys
* Our booklists and toylists are updated weekly.

Blue Horse Hopper

Brand: AppleRound
Age Range: 36 months - 5 years

Flying Turtle Original Style

Brand: Flying Turtle
Age Range: 36 months and up

Strider – 12 Classic Balance Bike

Brand: Strider
Age Range: 18 Months to 3 Years

Facts About Toys

  • Simple toys are best for young children’s development. Never choose toys that are designed to be self-sufficient where interactivity is built in them (for example: toys automatically play or talk when being pressed upon). These toys have one purpose only and squelch initiative from children.
  • Studies showed that when children engage with electronic toys or interactive toys, their play tends to be at the simplest functional level with limited imagination.
  • Some companies label toys as “educational” and claim that they can make children smarter and more literate. There is no evidence to prove this claim.
  • Young children need to interact with objects that engage their senses (touch, smell, sight, sound). Most electronic toys and toys with screen do not meet this criteria.
  • Encourage children to use their imagination. Creativity and discovery are far more important than knowing how to name ABCs or count 123s.
  • Good toys should be open for children to use in a multitude of ways and purposes, based upon their imagination, interests, and developing abilities.
  • What are the best toys? Rich interactions in loving relationships during playtime! The emotional experiences are the foundation of intelligence and fuel optimal development.

Suggestions

Dress-up clothes and Kitchen toys

These toys inspire children’s imaginations. Pots, pans, utensils, brooms and other safe household objects as well as dress-up clothes are great tools for pretend play and creativity.

Sand and Water Play

Sand and water play encourage imaginative play, small motor development, and eye-hand coordination, understanding cause and effects. Art is also great to encourage self-expression and express their feelings.

Block Play

Block play helps children learn to solve problems and to plan. Also offer simple props such as animals, vehicles, and fabric to stimulate imagination while children build their projects.

Puzzles

Puzzles promote problem-solving, flexible thinking and excellent tools for children to learn about parts and whole.

Everyday Items

Everyday items in your household can also be excellent toys. Example: Amazon boxes, blankets, mommy’s shoes, rocks, shells, leaves, bottles…  These simple items promote children’s initiative and illicit imagination in ways that commercial toys do not.