December 2007 Parent Newsletter

10 Tips for Choosing the Best Holiday Learning Gifts

Educational gifts are an ideal option for the holidays, but choosing one isn’t always easy. The key is selecting something that is not only age appropriate but also developmentally appropriate. The right gifts have staying power and engage children. They help build attention spans and encourage problem solving. They also provide practice in skill building (fine and large motor skills, communication, etc.) and improve self-esteem and awareness about the world we live in—different cultures, history, and the environment.

Here are 10 tips to make the gift selection process easier:

1. Choose gifts that are interactive, multi-sensory, and offer different kinds of play.
2. Consider safety and durability—no sharp edges, toxic paint or little pieces that cause choking. You might even consider buying a toy at a slightly lower age range for a child who needs extra learning support.
3. Follow your child’s interests and consider a “bundle” of gifts based on a theme, like dinosaurs, horses or the solar system. Combine books, software, DVDs, toys, etc. so your child can benefit from multiple learning opportunities.
4. Peruse museum catalogs, gift shops and Web sites for toys that stimulate curiosity and creativity, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Exploratorium and the Museum of Natural History.
5. Check out the award-winners, like ones listed online by Dr. Toy, Parents Magazine and Parents Choice.
6. Think about giving art materials. They foster creativity and help children develop multiple skills. Finger paints, washable markers, crayons and large sheets of paper are a good start.
7. Ask other parents, teachers and knowledgeable toy retailers for suggestions. Take advantage of their prior gift-giving experience.
8. Make sure it’s fun. No gift is worth buying if it only interests your child for a short time. Everyone has made that mistake before.
9. Pick gifts that fit your budget and family values. There are lots of reasonably priced, high quality toys and games that don’t simulate war or promote promiscuity.
10. Put one of the gifts away for a later time. Bombarding children with multiple gifts doesn’t allow them to focus and enjoy the specifics of each one.

By selecting the right gift, you create a learning environment that is fun and playful. Finding just the right one inspires children to imagine, create and explore. The ideal learning gift will delight your children, while building skills and encouraging their curiosity.

2008 Parent Newsletters

October	Let the Homework Begin
June	10 Tips to Accelerate Summer Learning
May	Education in the Garden: Planting a Pizza
April	Helping Your Children Juggle School and Sports
March	Spring Break: Add Education to Your Vacation
February	Launching a Three for Me Program at Your School
January	Easing Children's Test-Taking Anxiety

2007 Parent Newsletters

December	10 Tips for Choosing the Best Holiday Learning Gifts
November	Happy Thanksgiving: Teaching Children Gratitude
October	School Safety: What Every Parent Should Know