Friday, August 8, 2008

Psychologists’ Secrets to Bedtime Battles

It is remarkably exhausting to end your day with an unending battle with your kids over going them to bed, getting them to stay in bed, or even keeping them out of your room. For some parents, the bedtime battle is just an extension of other battles that have occurred throughout the day. Yet for other families, the rest of the day is relatively normal and healthy, and it is only at bedtime that parents begin to cringe at the thought of going through another screaming match over bedtime.

In this article, I will reveal three of my seven key secrets that I use to help parents get out of this bedtime battle mess. As a parenting coach and licensed psychologist, I have worked with thousands of families. I have seen every permutation of bedtime battle, and these three key ideas will get you headed in the right direction.

Secret #1. You don’t make bedtimes happen. Your children learn to get to bed on time.

Any time you keep forcing something happen with your kids, you will find yourself in a losing situation…over the long term. In other words, if you have to force something to happen, you can win the battle today. That is likely true. But tomorrow comes with another battle, and it only gets worse over time.

So this means…you can’t force your kids to go to sleep. You can’t force them to go to bed. The more you try to force it, the more it escalates out of control.

But don’t give up! This doesn’t mean that you can’t get them to bed on time. You can have peaceful bedtimes with everyone in bed on time.

It just means that you need to change your way of parenting around bedtimes. Instead of thinking about controlling the situation so that it happens "now," you set up the evenings to be opportunities for learning. Children learn quickly, and it usually takes 3-7 days before things are running smoothly.

Your children must learn what choices are going to be in their interest…. not in mom or dads’ interest. They’re not going to necessarily go to bed because you want them to. That’s not in their interest. You have to set up the conditions so that they learn to go to bed because… "It’s in their interest." Here’s how:

Secret #2: Establish a consistent routine with clear consequences.

Write down the evening routine, and do so in a way that gives you some leverage. In other words, after dinner, the kids need to help clear the table, take a bath, put on their pj’s, and make sure that their bag is packed and at the door. All of this happens before the TV comes on or before you read a book or before there’s any playtime.

Don’t nag, or yell, or prod or remind the kids. Instead, focus on control and the consequences to their choices….rather than trying to control the kids. Allow them to futz around and waste all the time they want. Just make sure that they don’t get access to any of the goodies that they really enjoy, such as their toys, or the TV, or time from Mom or Dad.

The magic in this arrangement is that the structure and routine allow you to retain leverage over the things that you want them to do before bedtime. In other words, they have to take care of all their preparations, before they get to play. This puts you back in charge. You no longer need nag, remind, push, or yell to get them going. Just patiently wait for them to discover that’s it in their interest to take care of their work.

Secret #3: Teach them it’s bedtime by shutting down their world.

Rather than engaging in prolonged requests to cut off the TV, or to put away their toys, or to cut off their computer, take control of the things that they care about….rather than trying to control the kids. Shut down their world!

Go in and cut off the TV and walk out with the cable box. Cut off the computer and walk away with the keyboard. Walk them out of the toy room and lock the door.

The tantrum or upset that unfolds is not your concern. Allow them to have those moments, and don’t worry if they’re up for an extra hour for a few nights. They will learn from this, if you stick to your guns.

About the Author

Dr. Randy L. Cale is a licensed psychologist who offers parental coaching through his website at http://www.TerrificParenting.com. Visit Terrific Parenting for more parenting tips and information.
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Thursday, August 7, 2008

Understanding Why Your Cat Stalks

By their very nature, cats are excellent hunters who thoroughly enjoy stalking their prey. For domesticated cats, their “prey” can be something as simple as an insect or a wind up toy. But, is it always healthy and normal for a cat to stalk, or is there ever a reason to be concerned about a stalking cat?

As I commented even domesticated cats have the natural instinct to hunt and to stalk. With an indoor cat, stalking generally speaking is not an indication of hunger. More likely they are stalking their prey out of curiosity or because they simply need to add a little excitement to their lives. Hunting and stalking also helps the cat to get a little exercise and also provides a release for pent up energy.

For the most part, domesticated cats prefer chasing mice or other small rodents. Some even enjoy stalking and catching rabbits and birds and they will spend many hours watching their prey. A domesticated cat that is well fed will generally just play with the prey rather than try to eat it. In fact, it is rare for a well cared for domesticated cat to eat its prey. Many people think cats are cruel because they play with their prey, but this is just simply the cat’s way of satisfying its natural hunting instinct and of getting exercise.

When a cat uses its stalking skill to hunt for prey, it moves quietly and attracts very little attention. Cats particularly enjoy stalking in areas with high grass because it helps prevent their prey from seeing them. This stalking instinct can be more than a little disturbing for those cat owners who are also bird lovers. If a cat has a tendency to stalk wild birds that the cat owner wants to be left alone, it can be a good idea to tie a bell around the cat’s neck. This will help warn the birds of the nearby stalking cat although it will of course frustrate the cat who may try to remove the bell!

Negative Behaviours

Besides destroying the wild bird population with their stalking and hunting instincts, some cats can begin to exhibit their stalking behaviours in negative ways. Indoor cats that are the only cat in the household are most likely to develop negative stalking behaviours. For example, a cat can learn the patterns of behaviour of its owner. So, when it hears the owner arrive home, it might engage in stalking mode and pounce on the owner and bite them on the ankle when they gets home. This behaviour is sometimes referred to as predatory-play aggression because it combines elements of play with elements of predatory behaviour.

When this happens, the owner quite understandably becomes upset. The owner might tell the cat off or even spray them with water to attempt to make the cat stop the behaviour. However, this will rarely succeed in modifying the cat’s behaviour

Modifying Stalking Behaviour

Indoor cats tend to engage predatory-play aggressive behaviour more than outdoor cats. This is because indoor cats are more likely to become bored. In addition, outdoor cats have a far greater number of options for fulfilling their predatory behaviour. These include stalking small outdoor animals, insects, and birds.

For the indoor cat, however, buying some toys that the cat can stalk is a good idea. These give the cat the opportunity to engage in its natural predatory instincts in a healthy way. The cat should have access to toys that both involve the owner and those that do not. Toys that involve the owner help to create a bond between the pet and its owner. On the other hand, cats also need to learn how to engage in solitary play and this includes stalking and other predatory behaviours.

Choosing Toys

Toys that are lightweight and easy to move are the best types of toys to help the cat engage in its stalking behaviour. Bouncy toys are also a good choice, as are toys that hand from the top of doors or from doorknobs. Toys that hang from other items should be moved around the house, however, to help keep the cat’s environment different and enriching. Toys can even be hidden in places such as laundry baskets to add to the excitement.

Toys that resemble the natural prey of cats, such as mice, are also good choices. In addition, toys should be large enough to prevent choking, but small enough to be easily moved by the cat. The material used to create the toy should also be indestructible. Otherwise the cat, particularly kittens, will destroy the toy. This is not only messy, but also poses as a choking hazard.

A cat that is properly stimulated with toys that allow it to utilize its stalking skills will be far healthier than one that is not. In addition, the cat will be far less likely to pounce on or harm the owner or the owner’s furnishings!

About the Author

Paul Duxbury owns a wide range of pet related websites including http://www.basic-cat-care.co.uk
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008

What To Do With All The Toys Accumulated Over Winter?

It’s inevitable, if you have small children, you have toys. These toys can clutter up your home before you know it. Throughout the long winter months, it’s easy to set these toys aside or put them in a corner, which quickly becomes a corner full of clutter. Now that spring is here and the inclination to clean and organize are at their greatest, take advantage of some wonderful storage solutions which will provide a clean and organized room for you and continued access to the toys for your little ones.

If your little one sees you dragging his/her favorite toy to hiding, be prepared for that to be the next thing that he/she can’t live without. Kids can become very attached to their toys, some even become objects of comfort for them. When those toys become too cumbersome for your home, it’s time to reach out for a solution that will satisfy everyone. As children wake up to a new day, they are refreshed and ready for another fun-filled routine spent exploring and playing. Throughout the day, kids test their capacity to learn as they carefully sound out unfamiliar vowels, or attempt to identify the lively shapes that decorate the pages of their pop-up books. The floor becomes a whirlwind of games and toys made from plastic, felt, softness, color, and stuffing. When they are done and ready to take a nap, where do all of these treasured items go?

While the floor may seem like a suitable place to leave their play-world behind until they are ready to return, it does nothing for parents trying to instill good habits in cleaning. There has to be something for both parents and children to accept as they try to come up with a suitable toy storage solution. Decorated with bright shades of red, blue, green, yellow and beyond, or fashioned into shapes that are pleasing to the eye, an assortment of toy boxes, toy chests, and toy storage bins are available on the market.

Not only do toy boxes offer a place for kids to store their prized possessions, but the colorful objects also allow them to cultivate their imagination. Some wooden toy box selections are transformed into theme-related objects that provide further entertainment for the curious child.

On a more functional level, a toy chest may serve as a right of passage for young girls looking to emulate their mothers. Just as their mommy places pearls, pendants, bracelets, and rings into a jewelry box, daughters may store their treasured gems in a box of their own. As for young growing boys, plastic hammers and toy screwdrivers now have a special place for storage as they follow in their father’s footsteps "fixing" things around the house.

Toy boxes, toy chests, and other toy organizers have been created with parents in mind so that they will not be eyesores to a room, but will hold all toys in an organized fashion in one particular place in your home. When it’s playtime your children should feel comfortable bringing out their toys and playing with them. Yet when playtime is over, with all toys having a particular home, toys will no longer be a cumbersome mess. Many children are more than willing to accommodate the wishes of their parents (who long for an uncluttered child’s room) when they have a toy chest of their own. This is because until they are tall enough to reach bookcases and shelves, a toy storage box serves as a daily reminder to take care of their possessions.

Outside of the home, toy storage boxes, chests and benches provide a wealth of possibilities for establishments, such as daycares and preschools. Not only does the top of a toy box serve as a bench that provides extra seating, but also allows little ones to keep their play areas neat and tidy. Additionally, toy chests are equipped and secure enough to handle the delicate fingers of children with features, such as safety hinges. Overall, the construction, variety of shapes and colors of toy chests fit right into the setting of a learning environment geared towards kids. Obtaining just the right toy chest for a child is quite easy. There are a variety of themes available to match the personality and interests of any youngster, including animals, princesses, flowers, rainbows, dollhouses, school buses, and sports.

About the Author

Author about:
Marina Neiman, author and mother of two, writes for 1888Toys.com – Children Educational Toys Store, featuring classic toys with truly developmental value, along with great selection of kids furniture, toy boxes, toy chests and more. Visit: http://www.1888Toys.com
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Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Appreciating Your Childs Educational Toy

We live in extremely busy times. With expenses rising and the need to provide a good life for our children, most households rely on incomes from both parents, instead of just one, leaving the child with less than enough time to bond with his or her mom or dad.

Because of this, most parents try to make it up to their kids by purchasing toys that seek to compensate for the absence of prolonged sit-down times.

Thus, the demand for children’s educational toys has grown. What educational toys do is fill the gap that has been created by the lack of time parents have for their kids.

In the past, both or either one of the parents had the time to help their kids with homework or read them dozens of stories. However, nowadays, this has become close to impossible because every has to make a living.

While children’s educational toys do not aim to replace the actual presence of a parent, it is able to temporarily fill a void. It is for this reason that toy manufacturers have taken great pains and conducted deep research into a child’s learning levels and capacities in order to come up with an educational toy that would be a fount of knowledge.

Examples of children’s educational toys include Vtech’s portable laptop computers that teach kids spelling, math basics, geography and carry games that test and enhance analytical skills and logic. Toys "R" Us has also joined the bandwagon and come up with its own line of educational toys, while LeapFrog has started to make waves.

The good thing about these educational toys for children is that they tickle the interest not just of children, but also of adults. Sales of children’s educational toys have risen continuously over the past years because more and more people are starting to see their value, especially as gifts, as opposed to simply giving a stuffed toy or a doll. Children will be able to appreciate a toy more if they are able to interact with it more actively.

Educational toys carry a relatively hefty price tag, though, but consumers do not seem to mind because of the huge benefits these kinds of toys bring for the kids. Every age level has a corresponding kind of educational toy that is suitable to his or her abilities, so no child will be left wanting. The thought that educational toys are boring and not fun at all has been circumvented by the creative toy makers of present.

About the Author

Low Jeremy maintains http://Educational-Toys.ArticlesForReprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.
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Monday, August 4, 2008

Are your children's toys safe?

It's a sad fact that many of the most dangerous toys are favourites. Thousands of cheap, unsafe toys are finding their way onto the market place with little being done to stop them. How many unsafe toys are there on the shelves that we just don't know about? Potentially dangerous toys are a serious issue, but the scale of the problem is not yet big enough to spark an exodus of U. Despite industry standards and ongoing improvements, dangerous toys are still widely available and sold. Dangerous toys can be classed as toys with parts that young children can choke on, stick up their nose, or otherwise hurt themselves with: sharp corners, fast-moving, massive projectiles, etc. Children's toys can become dangerous if they are misused or if they fall into the hands of children who are not old enough to play with them. Just looking around car boot and garage sales will show you where most of the older and dangerous toys are bought and sold. People think they are getting a bargain but what is the real cost?

Millions of dangerous toys which are for sale on shelves are being recalled every day because of various reasons. There are several different factors that can make a toy dangerous. Toys with magnets are high on the list due to the lead content, and the fact that young children can swallow, or push the small detachable parts in the toys where they shouldn't go. Many toys that are recalled have high levels of lead in the surface paint; lead being dangerous because it is poisonous. Any kinds of magnets in your toys should put the toy high on the dangerous toys list. The majority of dangerous toys have little parts which can be removed and swallowed by a young child. Toy parts that can easily become lodged in a child's throat have led to many incidents of death and brain damage yet can still be found in newly designed toys. You should check all toys for loose or small parts which you feel may be dangerous to your kids. It is also dangerous for your kids to play with toys which are meant for older children. From time to time, inspect your kids' toys for any wear and tear which can make them dangerous. .

Toys and games represent a thirty (30) billion-dollar-a-year industry. Toys caused an estimated 150,000 visits to the emergency room last year. Toys should be solid, strong and well made. Toys should have lasting interest and not just be the latest on the market. You can visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC website. They publish a list of toy recalls. Parents and children alike have a right to expect that the toys they select and play with are designed with the child's safety in mind. The first line of defence for toy safety must be safe design and manufacture. The current state is that many parents will never know when a product has been recalled.

Protecting our children from unsafe toys will always remain the majority of parent's number one concern, but when will it become the number one priority within toy industry and the government regulatory bodies. The toy companies, retailers and the Government must listen and act when dangerous toys are brought to their attention so that we don t see the same hazards and the same injuries reappearing year after year. Dangerous toys are not as common as they used to be, but they are still out there. Parents, guardians and carers still must continue to check that the toys they are buying are correctly labelled with the CE mark confirming the toy is safe. Where, for example, dangerous toys are being sold that could cause serious injury to unsuspecting children, the Office of Fair Trading must be able to remove those toys from outlets.

About the Author

Rachel Harding is a registered nurse and mum of 3. She has a great deal of expertise with children and offers valuable support for you as parents and care givers and free resources including children's stories, forums, recipes, article's, gifts and books at => http://www.yourkidsshop.com
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Sunday, August 3, 2008

How Do You Choose Your Baby Toys?

When you are picking out toys for your baby, no doubt you want to purchase toys that your little one will love. However, there is a lot that will go into the decision of which baby toys to purchase. You see, there is much to consider, such as the price, the safety, your baby's development, and a whole lot more. If you're a bit nervous about picking out the best safe baby toys for your new baby, then here are a few great tips that will help you make the right decision.

Tip #1 Avoid Toys with Small Parts
First of all, when you are picking out newborn baby toys, it is important that you avoid purchasing toys that have any small parts. Small parts can break off the toy and your baby may put the part in their mouth, which could cause them to choke. You don't want to rush to the hospital with a choking baby, so it is best to avoid the toys with the small parts for safe baby toys that you feel more comfortable with.

Tip #2 Go with Toys that Stimulate the Senses
You'll also want to go with toys that stimulate your baby's senses, such as musical baby toys or other educational baby toys. Your baby's senses are developing fast, so you'll want to go with toys that cater to their senses and help to develop them as well. So, keep this in mind when you're picking out baby toys for your little one.

Tip #3 Do Some Research
Doing some research is important, whether you are purchasing a baby teething ring or a new baby rattle for your baby. One of the best ways to find out more about a specific toy is to get online and read reviews from other parents about the toy. If you find a lot of negative reviews, then you may want to avoid purchasing that particular toy for your baby.

Tip #4 Think About How Long the Toy Will Last
You may also want to consider how long the baby toy is going to last before you buy it. If you only think the toy is going to last a week or two, or you think your baby is going to get tired of it quickly, you may want to settle on a different toy that you think they'll play with a lot longer.

Tip #5 Make Sure Toys Meet Safety Standards
Making sure that toys meet safety standards is also very important. Whether you are purchasing plastic toys or wooden baby toys, you'll want to make sure that they are safe for your baby. So, make sure that you check to see if the toy you're consider is a safe baby toy and meets the safety standards that it should.

Tip #6 Read the Package for More Information
The package information can also provide you with a lot of helpful information about the toy. It usually is a great idea to read this information on the package before purchasing baby toys so you are sure it is the right toy for your baby.

About the Author

Do you have trouble find childbirth inf on medical sites? Natural Childbirth & Baby Care aims to inform you all about natural childbirth and baby care without the jargon making it easy and fun to read
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Saturday, August 2, 2008

Stimulating Your Parrot With Toys, Safely

When you decide to take a parrot for a pet you first must get to know your new pet. First of all parrots are not dogs or cats, that means that they are not as sociable as dogs and cats. Also you need to know that they are very stubborn and will always try to dominate you and break the rules. They have a very powerful personality and you must dominate it. Always the parrot remembers who makes the rules and who is in charge.

Parrots are wild animals that need to adapt to a closed environment. They are flock birds and because of that they need to live in a family and to feel safe and protected. Also you must know that your new pet is a very smart one. When they are in wild they have a lot of methods to keep active: they play, forage, preen each other, socialize and fly up to 500 miles each day.

Once in captivity you will have to stimulate his mental capacity with new activities and challenges. In order to do that you will have to buy some toys and put them in his cage. But you must be very careful and choose only safe toys made from natural materials. Such toys you can find in the toy stores. Here are some examples of sources of safe and natural toys: Chirp n Squawk Bird Supplies, Planet Pleasures Bird Toys and Jungle Talk Bird Toys. There are some rules that you must know before you choose the toys for your pet:

- First of all make sure they are safe and made from natural materials

- Also try to match the size of the toy with the size of your bird. If you have a large bird try not to buy her very small toys because it is the risk of choking with them. Also if you have small parrots don’t buy them large toys because they will be useless to your pets.

- Make sure the toys are made from Beads and Acrylics. This components are harmless for parrots as long as the bird don’t ingest broken parts

- The plastic chain you are buying for your birds plastic toys must be short in order not to strangle the bird

- Everybody knows that parrots love bells. If you want to spoil your pet you surly will take him a bell. If so, you must be very careful that the bell is nickel plated so the lair of zinc can be covered. Zinc is very toxic to parrots

- The best material for parrot’s toys is stainless steel but it is very expensive. If you don’t afford to take that kind of toy you

- Always use parrot toys that are made with Quick Links (or ’C’ clamps). Do not use toys made with ’S’ links, bent wires, shower curtain hangers or open link chains because this can suffocate your pet.

- Be sure that the toys you are getting are made with natural leather that is not treated with chemicals.

- Ropes are dangerous for parrots so be very careful when you use them. Use only sisal or cotton rope. Avoid ropes that have frays. If frays exist don’t hesitate to cut them because they represent a very big danger for your bird. Your pet could strangulate with them.

- Don’t use cotton birds toys because they are predisposed to fraying and could accidentally strangle your bird. When the end of a piece oof rope begins to unravel, clip it off.

About the Author

If you want to know more about parrot care and about parrot toys or learn about pet parrots just visit my website.

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Friday, August 1, 2008

Consumption Structure and Popular Trends of European Toy Markets

In last decade years, it took place a thorough change in European toys and games industry. The market share increases gradually and has accounted for more than one third of the whole world¡¯s toys and games market. In recent years, electronic toys rise greatly, video games become more and more popular, and wooden toys still charm children a lot. Especially rc toys in electronic toys market, such as nitro rc car, remote control helicopter, rc gas boat, rc helicopter, remote control car, rc car etc. increase rapidly.

In past 1-2 years, European toys market had belowing features and trends:
The highly important factor still was price, although most parents in rich countries such as U.K., Holland and France liked to buy large-scaled toys, those toys had a rather cheap price usually under 8 EURO. A great deal of European parents believed that wooden toys were educative and innovative, and wooden toys were typical toys in children¡¯s rooms, and it would keep growing in European wooden toys market. Parents were always pleased to buy the toys of teaching while playing for their children, which had caused educational toys white-headed in years of 2005 and 2006 in Europe. The European Union had imported toys from developing countries as many as 50% of its total amount and were still on its way of increasing. Among them 40% were carried out by importers, and the left were mostly accomplished by agents and centralized purchasers.
After all, in next 5 years, traditional toys sales in European market will change little, however, with the growing purchasing power of some countries, it will go up. Traditional toys combining electron and interaction like early educational toys are being a stable developing period. Video game products will keep increasing strongly. And rc toys, such as nitro rc car, remote control helicopter, rc gas boat, rc helicopter, remote control car, rc car etc will also have large market in adult toys.

Take a look at the main countries in EU, in U.K. electronic toys will grow fastest and have the largest market, rc toys in electronic toys market, such as nitro rc car, remote control helicopter, rc gas boat, rc helicopter, remote control car, rc car etc will become most popular. And the total amount of toys market in U.K. will reaches 6 billion EURO by 2007.In France, markets of infant toys and early learning toys will grow fast, and infant toys market is in process of growing fast because of high birthrate in recent years. Video games will be very popular, and it will rise of 25% in next 5 years.

Comparing with other European countries, technical toys for such as architecture, vehicle and electronic training toys will be more popular in Germany. Music, dancing and doll toys will be fully fashionable in Belgium. Mobile phones, voice recognition games and virtual games will be in fashion in Spain.

About the Author

David ZHENG is the CEO of China Topwin Industry Co., Ltd( nitro rc car, remote control helicopter, rc gas boat, rc helicopter, remote control car, rc car ) a specialty trader of a variety of toys and hobby items, such as nitro rc car, remote control helicopter, rc gas boat, rc helicopter, remote control car, rc car etc
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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Avoid Dangerous Toys for Toddlers

Santa’s elves make all kinds of toys at the North Pole. From lavish electronic devices to simple board games, those in St. Nick’s employ are a versatile group. Unfortunately, however, not all toys are safe for all age groups. In fact, children under three or four years of age are particularly prone to choking on small objects (they put everything in their mouths!). For this reason, it’s imperative that parents of tots in this age group closely monitor what Santa places in the stocking and under the tree on Christmas Eve.

When making a purchase for your little one this holiday season, keep a watchful eye by closely inspecting not just the labels, but the toys themselves. Does it appear rugged and able to withstand the rigors of rough play, or does it look as though it could break into small pieces? If so, move on to something else regardless of what the label says.

Labels are good guidelines, but they aren’t foolproof. In fact, some believe that manufacturers intentionally over-label toys to insulate themselves from potential lawsuits. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. While toys made for children three years of age and younger must, by law, be large enough that they do not present a choking hazard, it’s best to closely inspect them yourself. Some sources suggest taking a 35-millimeter film canister with you. If the toy or parts of a toy will fit into that canister, they say, the gift is not a good choice as it presents a choking hazard. While it’s not scientific and probably isn’t a surefire measuring stick of what is and isn’t too small for your child, it does give you a general idea when doing your holiday shopping.

Aside from choking hazards, be sure to avoid toys that are sharp. Most toys made for children three and younger have smooth, rounded edges. If a toy has sharp or jagged points, it may not be safe for your toddler.

Despite the fact that hospitals in the United States treat thousands of children each year for toy-related injuries, many people get caught up in the buying frenzy and sometimes forget that what’s hot this year isn’t necessarily what’s safe for toddlers. For example, baby dolls with buttons or small accessories, like miniature bottles, present choking hazards. Toys that plug in to the wall could present a burning hazard. For that reason, if a toy utilizes light and sound it is best to make sure it is battery operated.

If you have a little one at home, here are some gifts that are good ideas for one- and two-year-olds:

* Cloth or plastic books
* Building blocks
* Push and pull toys
* Soft, washable balls, animals, dolls (make sure the
eyes can’t come off and there are no buttons)
* Toy phones

Remember that while Christmas needs to be fun, it also needs to be safe. Sure, you want to get your child the perfect gift. But no gift is perfect unless it is safe and age appropriate. Finally, keep in mind that children under three years old, regardless of how safe you deem the toy, need adult supervision when playing with the gifts Santa leaves under the Christmas tree!

About the Author

Brought to you by Imaginary Greetings, a regular contributor of valuable family oriented content. Learn how to truly light up your child’s eyes this holiday season like never before with a personalized letter from Santa.
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Promotional Stress Toys - Funny Promotional Items

Promotional gift items are available in abundance in the market. Every other organisation is using these promotional products for their marketing campaigns. In such a situation, it is important that you select the most befitting promotional item to serve as business gifts. With a huge variety of gifts available in the market such as pens, mugs, t-shirts, caps, keyrings and stress toys, one has to be very cautious while taking the plunge. In such a situation, unusual and funny gifting items have emerged as winners in the category of corporate gifts. Of these funny items, the best are stress toys.

Stress toys are available in a multitude of designs and shapes that appeal to people of all age groups, be they children or adults. They can be bought in the funniest of shapes and styles such that you would enjoy gifting them during your business events and the recipients would also enjoy receiving and using them. Also, these funny toys prove to be effective marketing material because of the large printing space they provide. Because of their large surface, they display the brand name, logo as well as other company details like address and contact numbers effectively. So select some of these funny shaped promotional stress toys befitting the services rendered by your company or the products offered by you, and express your gratitude to your employees and customers alike with these funny articles.

Ideasbynet, the UK's famous online promotional store is the largest resource for funny promotional stress toys. It has an impressive display of these promotional items in bizzare shapes ranging from medical and anatomical stress toys, housing and financial stress toys, stress toy shapes, sport stress toys, safety, tools and utilities stress toys, IT stress toys, transport and travel stress toys, animal stress toys, stress toys characters, fruit and vegetable stress toys, telecom stress toys to seasonal stress toys and many more. Featuring a huge variety under each of the aforementioned categories, they are also available in over 250 custom printed options. Therefore, these promotional gifts are suited for every specific audience type to be distributed in corporate events, exhibitions, conferences and trade shows or other occasions.

So, click www.ideasbynet.com to select from a wide range of the funniest promotional stress toys that will de-stress the recipient's systems and amuse them with their funny designs. Also, they will prove to be great brand promoters for your company.

About the Author

Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet, the UK's largest online source of promotional stress toys and other promotional items. He has taken the UK gift market by storm by the application of modern business thinking and the latest search engine marketing techniques. For more details on promotional stress toys visit www.ideasbynet.com
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Sunday, July 27, 2008

Modern Toys And The Downfall Of Imagination

When you think of children's toys, what first comes to mind? The chances are that it will be the toys that are around in shops today. Bright, colourful plastic creations with lights and buttons; toys that talk, eat, wee or tell you stories. But if this isn't the picture that comes to mind, then the chances are that you'll be taken back to the older days when toys were much simpler, and the only lights were those in the eyes of eager children, their imaginations fired up with just a handful of bricks. Remember the toy cars that you could push along, and that didn't have lights, sound effects, or a controller you could use to drive it? No more sitting on a chair watching the car whizz about - you were down there on the floor, on your hands and knees, tearing up and down the room making the sound effects yourself.

It's easy for the older generation to hark back to 'the good old days' when toys were simpler, and you had to use your imagination. It is also easy to assume that today's children don't have to use their imaginations as much, because it's all done for them, and that this is somehow having a detrimental effect on their well being, their understanding of the world, and their own health and fitness.

But what is also easy to do is to assume that the new toys we see are replacing the older ones, or that the games children play are replacing the ideas and concepts that we used to enjoy. In fact, if you watch children play, you'll be surprised how similar the games are. So you remember pushing a toy car along the floor on your hands and knees? In what way is that better than sitting on a chair and using a radio controller to drive the car about? It's hard to argue the case on the basis of health and fitness, and when it comes to motor controls and spatial awareness, the manoeuvring of a car around furniture when it is heading rapidly in various directions not directly parallel with the way you're facing can surely be argued as more educational?

It is also important to bear in mind the amount of time children spend with various toys. My little boy has a mountain of electronic gadgets that do amazing things. Some of the batteries have run down. He hasn't noticed yet - he still enjoys playing with them, often making his own sounds. The interactive teddy bear that waves, shakes his head and talks (which I find a little scary at times) is certainly prodded and poked to make him react, but equally he is quite content sitting with the non-interactive creatures having a tea party, or being dressed in odd outfits that the designers never dreamed of.

At the end of the day, children create their own games, whatever you throw at them. Children are just as happy given an interactive toy as they are a static one, and given a couple of cardboard boxes they are equally at home sailing round the world, flying into space and becoming a robot. Perhaps it is us, not our children, who have lost the ability to imagine ways of using today's toys in magical ways.

About the Author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, dolls, and video games. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, dolls, and used video games at these sites for kids toys, interactive toys, bricks, dolls, and used video games.
Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Expensive Toys - Are They Worth The Big Bucks?

Today, with the fast developing world, toy manufacturing industries are also developing very fast. There was a time when few companies existed that provided good quality toys, but they used to be very expensive. But, today, with so much competition in every field, generally speaking, costs have come down. But still, there are some companies that keep their products highly priced. Some of the consumers just go for it because of the name or brand name of the company. But most of the time you will feel that they are not worth so much money.

At times you will get a good quality product even for much less price. The companies that put their products at a high price are most of the time popular companies but there is one thing for sure that they never ever compromise with the quality of the materials used in the manufacturing of the toys. There is possibility that you will get a similar quality product by spending less money but it is not always the same. It is also not necessary that just by spending some more amount will give you a good quality product. You will have to plan and consider a lot of points before deciding what to buy. Whether it is toys or anything you need to look for the quality of the product and then also the materials that are being used. After assuring yourself you could choose which product is best suited to your needs and desire.

There is a wide range of products available when you go shopping for a toy for your child. Consider the quality of the toy and also the safety of it before you go to buy it. Buying expensive toys does not mean that you have had the best of the products available in the market. Price never decides the quality or the durability of the toy. You should also see whether the toy is worth that entire heavy price or not. Also it depends upon your budget and the needs of your child that will make you decide whether you want to purchase a highly priced toy or not.

One thing that is important is, that before buying you should check out a number of shops so that you have an idea of the product, its quality and the average pricing of the product. After this research work you will be able to decide better whether the toy is worth that entire heavy amount or not. Everyone wants to have the best for their child but just spending lots of money will not bring happiness or develop the skills of your child. You need to shop sensibly while you are up to buying some educational toys for your child. Educational toys help in overall development of your child.

With so many toy companies and variety of toy options it is always advisable to act smartly and wisely. If you really want to spend money on a special educational toy for your child look for some toyshops, compare each and every aspect and then decide. Or another good option is go online where you can check and compare prices of toys online, all from the comfort of your home. If you find anything worth buying you can easily purchase it online, and the online stores have it shipped to you.

About the Author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for toys, stuffed animals, and dolls.
Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com


Friday, July 25, 2008

Ideal Toys For Kids Make Kids Smarter

In this advanced world of science and technology, everyone wants their child to be on the top. This is quite natural from a parent's point of view, but parents should always consider their child's caliber and their capabilities. It is not that if you insist and force your child he will get to the top, but it is the inspiration and motivation that might take him to the top or at least make him successful. Today, even the toy making industry is giving importance to teaching kids while they play and have fun. Children learn very fast when they are having fun and not forced to sit and study. This type of learning also lasts for a lifetime. Things learned at a tender age remain throughout one's life.

You will have to keep in mind, first of all, the age of your child so that you buy a perfect toy according to his age. There are varieties of toys available in the market and you have to choose the one that is ideal for your child considering his age and interests. It is better to take your child along and let him choose one so that he selects the best for him -- or if he tries it there you will come to know whether he is going to play with it or not. Don't get carried away with the price of the toy, because it is not necessarily true that if the toy is costly it will be good for your child. The purpose of the toy is that your child is happy, and that is the thing that matters after all.

There is no fixed formula for ideal toys, because a toy that can be ideal for your child may not be so for the other, because every child is different. Their interests, capabilities -- everything is different. Even at the age of two, children will have different interests. But, there are some points that can be considered common for every child, and when finally buying, you can select the one that best suits your child's needs and interests. If you are going to buy toys for your kid who is small, then the first thing that you should consider is the safety of your child. The toy should be soft and comfortable to play with so that your child doesn't get hurt while playing.

Usually educational toys are considered ideal for kids of any age. These toys help develop the skills of your child and make him smart in comparison to other children of the same age group. Also the experts are of the opinion that if the interest of the child is diverted towards science and technology at an early age, it is for the benefit of a lifetime. If your child has interest in science, so well so good, but if you want to instill in him more interest in science and technology, you can buy him science toys.

About the Author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for ideal toys, stuffed animals, and dolls.
Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Building Blocks Of Educational Toys

Should all toys, or at least the majority of toys, educational? Very often as we browse the endless aisles of toys looking for something suitable we are presented with a myriad of educational benefits which, if the text is to be believed, will allow our child to excel, reach their potential and become a genius in a matter of moments. This almost seems to pose the question - how did children manage to learn anything at all before the invention of batteries? Come to that, how did we manage to learn anything ourselves?

The educational benefits of a toy which announces the name of a colour when you press the corresponding panel is at first obvious - the child will learn the names of colours. But the question needs to be asked - is this teaching the child effectively, or as effectively, as more traditional methods, and what is the difference between teaching and consolidating existing knowledge?

Parents clearly have a very responsible role to play, and this is not to be denied of course. This role is very largely an educational one for many years, and this educational extends beyond the ability of a child to be able to recite the names of objects or concepts, but to use them within conversation, and to learn and understand the social interaction that comes through such conversation. Parents do not perform when you press a button, they respond to a child in an appropriate way.

Parents can be seen as the ultimate interactive toy, because they identify a child's needs, developing them in ways which are dynamic, flexible and ever changing based on the context of the day. Interactive toys are interactive only in as much as a performance which is wholly predictable can be extracted on pressing the correct button. This teaches a child as much about life as it teaches rats that are taught to do much the same thing in order to gain food about the far distant reaches of our galaxy.

The word educational stamped on a box seems to be taken for granted as a stamp of approval, that this toy above all others will help our child grow, learn and achieve better grades once they head off to school. But I would wonder, just exactly which toys are not educational?

I remember spending many happy hours as a child playing with building blocks. I used to build towers and bridges, buildings and castles. I learned that they would fall over unless I was careful. I learned how to balance them in stronger and more effective ways. I learned that a good strong foundation is important to long term stability, and I learned that the weight and mass of a block could be enough to increase the strength of a joint if positioned to its advantage. None of these lessons were stamped on the box, or were listed in the instructions. I don't believe the word 'educational' ever appeared on the box actually.

Perhaps, though, the most important things I learned were to use my imagination, and to have fun. Surely the most valuable lessons, by far.

About the Author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, dolls, and video games. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, dolls, and used video games at these sites for kids toys, educational toys, building blocks, dolls, and used video games.
Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Modern Toys and Your Child

As a parent, you must know how wide the offer for toys is for children of all ages. But when it comes to buying one, you don’t know what to choose, and how to choose a toy in order to be suitable for the child. You must consider the age of the child and make sure the toys are safe.

The toys are probably the most important things in a child’s world. These help your children grow and develop. The toys are actually a child’s best friend, so you must be very careful when choosing a toy for a child. It must necessarily appeal to the child, be according to his/her preoccupations, according to his/her age, and last but not least, to be suitable for the age of the child. So, you can get action figures toys for boys, Barbie toys for girls, doll houses, or doll makers, or even board games for older kids.

When choosing a toy it is highly important that the toy is safe for the child. Some toys can injure the child, especially if the child is small. The injury may be accidental, but you must be aware of this, so you’d better avoid buying such toys. For instance, a baby cannot be given action figures. As you probably know, babies tend to get stuff in their mouth and can accidentally swallow them, so you’d better get them something large, like a squeaking toy, rubber balls etc. Make sure that these toys don’t contain parts that can be swallowed. As the child gets older, you can extend the types of toys that you give him/her to play with. Starting from the age of 3, little girls can be given Barbie dolls, but still it is too early for doll houses.

Doll houses are more complex and contain many tiny components that are easy to swallow. The child must be over 4 or 5 to be able to get a doll house. Pay attention that action figures and toys that work on battery can be given to children of 6 and above. If your child begs for these toys, you can get them the toy, but make sure that the child is always supervised when they play with that particular toy. When children get older, board games might be interesting too, and these can help a lot in their development, as these involve strategies and some thinking.

Make sure you get the most suitable gift that is also safe and you will become your child’s bets friend and best parent as well.

About the Author

More resources from the author: Educational toys reviews Kids electronic toys reviewed Anti-cellulite products reviews
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Is The Future Of Toys Looking Bleak?

Walking through any toys department or toy section of a superstore, and the one thing which is blindingly obvious is just how important technology has become as far as the popularity of toys is concerned. Shelves upon shelves of computer games scream out for attention, offering children worlds of possibilities, exciting game play, full throttle interaction, total immersion in fantasy worlds and other experiences which seem almost too good to be true.

Even taking a step away from these purely computer driven games, it seems that almost every other toy contains a microchip, for fun filled fully interactive entertainment. But do our children really need to be entertained? Or do children have not only a natural desire to entertain themselves, but actually have such a need? It's tempting to think, looking at the array of toys on offer, that computer games and technology driven toys are likely to take over a child's life, and replace their play time with entertainment time. Replacing play with entertainment is not, of course, the same thing, and creates a particular issue.

Play is fully active, the child is the centre and the driving force of the game, and the child is the one who need to use their imagination, whereas entertainment is more passive, with the child merely observing, or participating in a relatively passive way, what someone else has imagined and created. Reducing the child's active involvement, and reducing the need for them to stimulate and use their own imagination can be no good thing - but is this where we are heading, and are traditional toys set to be resigned to the history museum? Will the children of the future simply plug themselves in to play?

Certainly it is tempting to suggest such a thing, but in reality, the answer can be found very easily by watching children play. Children's basic needs are not moulded by fashion or industry. Children have a strong natural desire to play, to be in control of their own play, to create their own rules and to break the rules set for them. This is not simply a misty eyed way of looking at childhood, these needs are set in the psychological stone of thousands of years of evolution. It's the way children discover the independence, and how they makes sense of the world.

Although children enjoy playing computer games, generally this is a social thing, with them inviting friends round to play with them, as most games are multiplayer. The game then becomes not the focus, but the medium through which they play and compete. The amount of time they spend on each game is, in the vast majority of cases, actually quite limited. Even looking at the clever technological toys, such as the ones that sing, dance, tell stories and react. When the batteries are dead, the toy is often still played with, in the more traditional sense. My daughter will happily play tea time with her teddy bears and have a couple of all singing all dancing dolls sitting alongside them, remaining switched, entirely mute and enjoyed every bit as much as if they were active.

Children write the rules, and although the technology and toy industry can throw technology into the mix, it's the children who ultimately make their choices about not only what to play with, but how. Clever toys might produce an excited reaction, and receive much attention during the life of the first set of batteries, but when the batteries have dies, and the initial novelty has worn off, there will always be building blocks and crayons, which never run out, either of possibilities, or power. Powered by children's imaginations, rather than batteries, these toys are set to last forever.

About the Author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, dolls, and video games. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, dolls, and used video games at these sites for kids toys, traditional toys, classic toys, dolls, and used video games.
Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com

Monday, July 21, 2008

Buying Educational Toys

Toys that provide educational value as well as enjoyable are generally more valuable to kids, and they will be more beneficial in the long run. If a gift proves to be practical and useful to the recipient, gift givers also get a special sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, knowing that it was a good present that should serve its purpose fully. Lots of educational toys abound in shopping malls and on the Internet, and picking out the right educational toy will prove to be a difficultchore if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Here are some helpful hints and tips to guide you in looking for the best educational toys for your toddler:

Let them puzzle it out – Children of all ages just love puzzles, whether they’re 2 years old or 13. If your child is 2 years old or below, then puzzles related to the alphabet would be nice, as well as puzzles concerning colors, shapes, and numbers. Audio and time-related puzzles work best for kids between 3 to 5 years old. Math puzzles, as well as those related to maps, word-forming, and advanced science, will be suited for older kids.

Arts and Crafts – Develop your child’s creativity by giving them arts and crafts kits and supplies. Things like coloring books, drawing books, colored pens, clay, and even a basic kids’s digital camera will work wonders. These gifts will allow them to use and improve their creativity, imagination, and coordination.

Books – Books will always be timeless favorites, and the selection of kids’s books that are available today keep getting better and better. They are just filled to the brim with valuable information and are arranged in a way that will be sure to provide your kids with hours and hours of reading pleasure and enjoyable, while getting the knowledge that will later on prove to be invaluable. There are kids’s books about science, math, reading, grammar, colors, shapes, etc. Inspirational biographies about historical figures will surely entertain older kids, as well.

Multimedia – CDs and DVDs are nice gift ideas for kids, with lots of informative audiovisual subject matter to keep kids entertained while learning. These multimedia marvels are filled to the brim with rhymes, songs, stories, and lots more of other enjoyable and exciting stuff. They can even start learning a second language, or know all sorts of enjoyable and exciting trivia.

Block Them – Countless blocks of all sizes, shapes, and colors are easily found in your local shopping mall, toy store, or in specialty shops on the World Wide Web. Blocks are actually the first educational toys, and probably also the first to be played with by your kids even when he or she is still a baby. They are invaluable for teaching kids all about the alphabet, colors, shapes, and numbers. Of course, blocks are also important tools for developing a child’s imagination, allowing for freedom to build and stack countless stuff and structures based on a child’s creativity.

Board Them Up – kids of all ages have a plethora of wonderful and enjoyable board games to play with. While they can be very useful for entertaining and teaching kids at the same time, board games are also a nice way for parents and kids to bond. Parents can teach their kids all about fair play, following the rules, how to create strategies for winning, etc.

About the Author

Tom Buck is a researcher and writer for http://www.cjshoppingmall.com, where you can find all the nice merchandise you need for your home, office, etc. Visit us for all your quality merchandise needs.
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Sunday, July 20, 2008

10 Classic Toys That Are the Perfect Choice for Children's Gifts

Buying Christmas gifts for children is always a delight. Invariably, the experience brings me back to my own childhood, and I fondly remember the thrill and wonderment of seeing beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts and discovering the surprises that lay beneath the wrapping. Perhaps that's why today, whether I'm shopping for boy's toys or girl's toys, I almost always select the classics. Here are my top ten favorite Christmas gift selections.

1. Monopoly. Some have called Monopoly the world's greatest board game. I call it a classic. You can't help but become a land baron when faced with a board full of properties waiting to be purchased and you can't help but be delighted every time you can collect rent or pass "Go." The classic Monopoly board game makes a wonderful gift, as do the junior edition games and special themed edition games.

2. Star Wars. It's been 30 years since George Lucas made history with the "Star Wars," and its popularity has never waned. When I am in the market for boy's toys, I always start with Star Wars toys. Whether it's the Darth Vader Potato Head, a play light saber, or the Lego Star Wars video game, you can't go wrong with Luke and his friends.

3. Legos. What's a childhood without Legos? I love buying my nieces and nephews sets of Lego bricks. With Duplo Legos for the little tykes, everything from Harry Potter sets to Bionicles for the older kids, and Technics for the serious builders, you can't go wrong with Legos.

4. Bicycles. When I think back to my childhood, I remember the freedom of getting together with my friends to ride our bikes around the neighborhood. From explorations of nearby parks and rivers to daylong expeditions to other parts of the city, bicycles were central to our lives. When buying and giving bikes as Christmas gifts, I feel like I'm giving a gift of joy and independence.

5. Play-Doh. Childhood wouldn't be complete without Play-Doh. Even the scent of Play-Doh transports me back to my youth. I love giving Play-Doh as Christmas gifts, especially because there are so many more options today. There are sets with themes, such as Winnie the Pooh, Farm World, and Hairdresser, that give kids hours of imaginative fun.

6. Jigsaw Puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles make perfect children's gifts for kids of all ages. There are those made out of wood for preschoolers, those with relatively few pieces for young children, and those with several hundred pieces for those who are experienced puzzle solvers. Plus, jigsaws are perfect rainy day toys.

7. Roller Skates. Roller skates are great for exercise and for increasing balance and coordination - and are a whole lot of fun. Whether they're strap on skates for little tykes or inline skates for tweens, roller skates are always a hit!

8. Dolls. When it comes to girl's toys, there's nothing more classic than dolls. Of course, today's dolls are capable of doing just about everything except going to school - but that makes them all the more fun!

9. Magic Sets. Every boy goes through a phase where he wants to learn magic. The magic sets I've bought over the years have entertained and captivated boys, who love learning the skills behind the tricks.

10. Scrabble. Perhaps because I recall spending hours and hours playing this classic word game with my family, I love giving Scrabble boards as Christmas gifts. Boys and girls both love the game, which also comes in a junior edition, and I like knowing that my gifts are both fun and educational.

It's as much fun for adults to give toys as is it for children to receive them - especially when you can relive part of your own childhood by giving toys that you enjoyed while you were growing up.

About the Author

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: toys
Visit Majon's Toys and Games directory.
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Friday, July 18, 2008

Inflatable Kids Toys - A Fabulous Idea

If you are going to throw a party for kids you are mostly worried about the engagement of the kids that are going to come to the party. When the kids are under the age of 6 or 8, it becomes quite difficult to handle them during the party. There should be such games decided for the party that every child enjoys and gets engaged. But, unfortunately you will find no such game, and even if you find one, you will feel that it will take only an hour or so, and then again the children are free. Some of them get bored if they are not kept engaged, while some get destructive, so it becomes the first thing to decide -- that is about the kids' involvement throughout the party.

There is a fabulous idea for a party game and that is to hire or buy an inflatable kids toy and it is for sure that all the kids would definitely love the idea. Inflatable toys are available in many shapes and sizes and come with all the facilities like a large fan that fills up the ballooned inflatable toy in just few minutes. Children love to jump and play on it and fall on it and enjoy the whole thing. There varieties of toys like castles, islands, houses, pirate's ships and many more. There are inflatable slides too that come in different sizes and you can choose the size according to the age group of the children that are invited to the party. Themes are also attached to the slides like the western themes that has cactus on it, racecar slides, tidal waves, crocodiles and lot more.

The other one is the inflatable obstacle courses that come along with unlimited themes and include squeeze through, slides, climbs and all kinds of fun in it. Then you can have the bounce house, which is for jumping, hopping and merry making for the children. With an unlimited range of inflatable toys it becomes difficult sometimes o decide which one to take. When you are planning a party for much younger kids then you can bring home the inflatable toys that include jumping, hopping, sliding and so on. But when little bigger kids are invited then it is advisable to bring the fun challenges that are included in one unit. They will love to play and meet the challenges involved in the toy.

If you are planning to have a pool in your backyard and are not sure about whether you will be able to manage the whole thing or not then you can go for the inflatable pool option. Also there are pool toys that are inflatable and can be filled in few minutes with the help of the pumps. Since there can be a lot of pool toys in the house gradually but you need not worry about the storage and the use because they can be deflated and stored away in minutes. With a wide range of inflatable pool toys from colorful rings for kids and adults to float to dolphins and fluorescent balls you can have whatever you want.

About the Author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for inflatable kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls.
Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com

Thursday, July 17, 2008

How Do You Choose Your Baby Toys?

When you are picking out toys for your baby, no doubt you want to purchase toys that your little one will love. However, there is a lot that will go into the decision of which baby toys to purchase. You see, there is much to consider, such as the price, the safety, your baby's development, and a whole lot more. If you're a bit nervous about picking out the best safe baby toys for your new baby, then here are a few great tips that will help you make the right decision.

Tip #1 Avoid Toys with Small Parts
First of all, when you are picking out newborn baby toys, it is important that you avoid purchasing toys that have any small parts. Small parts can break off the toy and your baby may put the part in their mouth, which could cause them to choke. You don't want to rush to the hospital with a choking baby, so it is best to avoid the toys with the small parts for safe baby toys that you feel more comfortable with.

Tip #2 Go with Toys that Stimulate the Senses
You'll also want to go with toys that stimulate your baby's senses, such as musical baby toys or other educational baby toys. Your baby's senses are developing fast, so you'll want to go with toys that cater to their senses and help to develop them as well. So, keep this in mind when you're picking out baby toys for your little one.

Tip #3 Do Some Research
Doing some research is important, whether you are purchasing a baby teething ring or a new baby rattle for your baby. One of the best ways to find out more about a specific toy is to get online and read reviews from other parents about the toy. If you find a lot of negative reviews, then you may want to avoid purchasing that particular toy for your baby.

Tip #4 Think About How Long the Toy Will Last
You may also want to consider how long the baby toy is going to last before you buy it. If you only think the toy is going to last a week or two, or you think your baby is going to get tired of it quickly, you may want to settle on a different toy that you think they'll play with a lot longer.

Tip #5 Make Sure Toys Meet Safety Standards
Making sure that toys meet safety standards is also very important. Whether you are purchasing plastic toys or wooden baby toys, you'll want to make sure that they are safe for your baby. So, make sure that you check to see if the toy you're consider is a safe baby toy and meets the safety standards that it should.

Tip #6 Read the Package for More Information
The package information can also provide you with a lot of helpful information about the toy. It usually is a great idea to read this information on the package before purchasing baby toys so you are sure it is the right toy for your baby.

About the Author

Do you have trouble find childbirth inf on medical sites? Natural Childbirth & Baby Care aims to inform you all about natural childbirth and baby care without the jargon making it easy and fun to read
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Is Cranium Fort An Appropriate Toy For Your Child?



by Richard J Runion



Preschool children spend more than 20% of their waking hours in play. Boys play with vehicles and girls with dolls. These are examples of domestic role play and dressing up. These are some revelations derived from survey samples of play behavior of preschool boys and girls. Children learn from play; thus toys are tools of learning. What kind of play materials have you provided your children? How are your children using them? Are the toys safe, and appropriate for the development level of your child? The answers to these questions are important. For instance, if you give a toddler toys that have small plastic pieces, he/ she is likely to swallow the pieces.


Child experts are unanimous that the growth and development of a child hinges on play. In particular, a child̢۪s creativity and imagination can be developed by construction toys. Hand-eye coordination and logical thinking are developed, too. For instance, a child who plays with racing cars is likely to experiment to find out which car moves faster, when pushed.


Cranium, the manufacturers of Cranium Fort construction toys, entered the fray in 1998. Their Magna Ball construction toy includes 22 yellow flexible foam tubes, 8 orange rigid foam tubes, 22 Magnaball connectors, 30 clips, 8 bases, 9 panels, and large and small storage bags are safe and sturdy.


Kids can construct a castle, build a boat, or put together a playhouse with nearly 100 pieces, 25 more than the regular Super Fort, anything you can imagine comes to life. And cleaning up is easy.


Cranium Fort construction toys come in a range of variants, and prices. They include: Mega Fort, Super Fort, Carnival Clubhouse, and Mega Land. The starter set costs $24.99.


Some of the products of Cranium Fort come with a limited warranty of 30 days.


When you give your child a toy, avoid older toys, and even hand-me-downs from friends and family, as these may not meet current safety standards. Also, they may be so worn from play that they can break and prove to be hazardous.


Never assume that a child who seems to be advanced in intelligence, compared to his peers, should play with toys meant for older children. You need to factor the safety aspect first, when you decide whether or not a particular toy is good for your child to play with. Maturity or intelligence has little to do with this decision.


Your child's temperament, habits, and behavior are also important considerations when you buy a new toy. Playing with your kids teaches them how to play safely while having fun.


About the Author
Richard J. Runion is the President of Geostar Publishing & Services LLC. Rich loves net research & blogging. His new blog on Cranium Fort is fast becoming popular, as it is comprehensive and well-researched. Read his blog at: http://www.craniumfortreview.com/

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Reading creates bonding with your child



by Pamela Cheong



Reading to your child does not have to start only when they are older. Reading can start anytime. Yes, anytime. Many people in Asia may treat reading to children as studying or teaching them through books. But they may have forgotten reading is also a time for bonding with your child. It is also a time for resting and slowing down the busy hassle of the day.


I believe reading starts young. How young? As young as they are babies or even when the baby is in mummy's tummy. I started reading to my daughter Sammi when she was in my tummy. It all begins with some basic large print and single sentence books I found in the bookstore. I think they are very interesting. So I quiet myself down, select a comfortable seat and start reading slowly page by page. Sometimes even giggling to myself. My mind was imagining my baby sucking her thumb enjoying my voice and my reading and voice. A couple of times, my baby responded with kicking within my tummy. I enjoyed this feeling very much. It is so unforgettable for a mum.


When Sammi was an infant, I read to her too. But reading time is very, very short. Maybe a minute as her attention span is short. Simple shapes and animals books with single or few primary colors on it. Reading and showing her the pictures by flipping through the pages very slowly. I just love to see the reaction of Sammi when I read to her. Sometimes she smiled and other times my sound would smoother her so much that she actually slept. But it does not bother me even if she had no attention span for me to finish the story. I felt bonded with her doing such simple tasks for her and myself.


When she was a toddler, her attention span increased. So was her curiosity. Most books that I bought or was passed down from friends and relatives were those with big single pictures and word. Some have special texture for touch. At this time, the senses in the toddlers are "activated" so they are more sensitive to touch or to brighter colors and worst to bite the books given to them as they are teething. So choosing books that are easy to wash or cloth made books at the best. Many choices are available but for toddler's safety always choose with care.


My time of reading to her may varies. Sometimes early in the morning before I leave for work or when I am back home after work, washed up and ready for her bedtime. (Usually 8-8:30 p.m. - consider early sleep time for Asian families)


Children like structured timing for activities. So reading to Sammi becomes a habit developed over time. Now that she is 5 years, she will automatically goes to her book shelve, picks her favorite book and asks me to read before bed time. She identifies it as a time when she and mummy can share special time together. Please also note that the environment and the settings within the reading area are also important.


Child at this age has their preference of story book. So a few notes to share on reading to your child.


1) Have a designated time of the day where it is a reading time with you and the child. ( 1 to 1). Be flexible to special needs and events too.


2)Do not try to dictate what book you should read to her/him each day. Remember to ask yourself what is the objective of reading to her at this time.


3)Do not try to change the story each day. Children have their own preference. They may ask you to read the same story for 3-5 consecutive days. You may be bored but not them. Try to make reading the same story interesting by asking them questions on the story read. Alternatively try changing the story line for once a while. (They will correct you and tell you the story did not go/end like you said just).


4)Do not try to use bedtime reading to teach your child. I did that once because I was very concerned of some comments made by teacher on Sammi ability to recognize three letter words taught in day care. That does not work. She hates it and refuse to pick up that book anymore. Bad try for me. So I have reminded myself my objective of reading to her each night before sleep.


5) Reading for sake of teaching. Specific time to set aside each day to run through some teaching or writing with your child. But do not force upon them. Try to encourage them based on your observation and mum's instinct on what they like and help them enjoy reading.


6) Reinforce the interest of the reading with other activities. Examples: Doing role play on the stories read or finds opportunities to bring them to a theatre that act out the same story read. My personal story on Little Red Hen Story. I bought this classic story book for my daughter. She seldom picks this book automatically as her favorite as there are many other topics/books that interest her. Until one day I brought her to the theatre showing Little Red Hen. She was so into the Drama on Little Red Hen, that night it was very spontaneous that when I suggest reading Little Red Hen story, she listens to it willingly. Now, she has a visual memory of the drama to associate with the stories. So mummies do not blame your child for selecting only toys and books associated with all the commercial cartoons. This is because when they watch the cartoons on TV, it also influence them what they tends to read. What is the most important thing about reading with your child? Ask yourself. You will then discover the joy of reading with your child. Creating bonding as primary objective. Secondary outcome like on cultivating reading habits will come in eventually.


Lastly I would like to recommend a book I read with Sammi this evening. This book titled " Papa fish 's Lullaby " is borrowed from the National Library. (Thanks to my dad, Sammi's grandpa that he is also a vivid reader and encourages reading among grandchildren). It is written by Patricia Hubbell , well-known book writer for children, won lots of awards. Each page there is only 2 sentences. Each sentence is like poetry, simple and full of meaning. Illustration is done very creatively by Susan Eddy. I love the illustration as it is created using plasticine clay and photographed and finalized in Adobe Photoshop. The seals, otter, sea turtle, Coral fish, whales, anemone, jelly fish and seagull are very real and have strong 3D effects. Nearly every single page, there are illustration of an adult mummy animals with its young. Sammi loves the picture of the sea otter mummy and the baby sleeping on mummy's tummy. She even acted out as the floating jelly fish when I read "Moon jellies, drifting with the tides, spend sleepy nights on Starlit rides." Today's reading with her is one of the enjoyable time spent besides other activities done for the day.


Pamela Cheong is a working mum with a 5 year old daughter. Her blessings are to have a healthy and adorable daughter in her life. As an internet marketer part-time, she loves to share her knowledge with rest of the parents. For more parenting blessings sharing, please visit her blog http://www.parentingblessings.com/.


About the Author
Pamela Cheong is a working mum with a 5 year old daughter. Her blessings are to have a healthy and adorable daughter in her life. As an internet marketer part-time, she loves to share her knowledge with rest of the parents. For more parenting blessings sharing, please visit her blog http://www.parentingblessings.com/.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Choosing Toddler Toys That Help A Child To Grow

by Gary Jonathan Clay
When children are very small the way it learns take several distinct steps. Traditional toys help in the development of actions and will facilitate the learning experience. Babies go through a stage of clasping and pushing toys to see what will happen - around six months onwards - and learn that a ball will roll away etc.

Once he gets to nine months old he will apply the same tactics on all objects in its path. This is a learning curve and the child will discover that different actions will produce different results. By one year old the child will have worked out the different between kicking a ball or shaking a rattle.

When he starts to walk - the toddler stage - it will require more complex toys to keep him engaged and interested. Toddler toys come in many forms from push-along toys to sit-in toys, from ride-on toys to rocking horses, the list is endless. Some clever toddler toys are built to 'grow' with the child. They come with flip over bases to turn the toy say from a wheeled toy to a rocking toy when the child is more confident with its balance. This also applies when the child grows taller.

Traditional toys like trikes - either two wheel or three wheel depending at what stage of balance the child is at - are firm favorites with children and adults alike and you can virtually see the child growing in confidence when he has mastered the art of co-ordination. Of course it is the precursor to the more grown up bicycle. Ride on toddler toys provide the first sensation of motion and they soon learn to scoot along with their feet. This both strengthens the legs and co-ordinates hand movements used to turn the steering wheel etc.

Ride on toys also strengthen the legs since the pushing motion required to move the toy is somewhat more complex. Naturally the parent can push or pull the child along until the child can master the art so this toy is ideal for getting the adult involved. Both of the previous toys usually come in bright colors and interesting shapes. They also have noise makers on board whether it be a vibrating noise mimicking an engine or the wheels clacking as they go forward. Sometimes lights or bells are included for effect and children just love the drama of it all.

What is interesting about traditional toys is that there is a growing demand for them after the influx of electronic toys. More and more people are looking back to their own childhood and realize that perhaps a child should be allowed to play naturally and use its imagination to the full. They don't have to be 'entertained' by TV or computer games all of the time and if they are they soon become unresponsive to outside stimulation.

It is a recognized part of human development that children will shout and run around, make noise etc. Provide them with traditional toddler toys that will allow them to develop naturally.
About the Author:
Gary Clay is an expert on toddler toys and manages stylish kids store Monkeyshine the home of premium traditional toys in the UK

Sunday, July 13, 2008

How to Choose the Finest Toy for Your Little One?

by Travis OI
What can be sweeter and more pleasant than a smiling baby with happiness in his watch who has in a minute received a toy from you, saying "thank you" impatiently trying to unwrap it and shortly he will be deeply immersed in a another magical place where he struck up a friendship with his new toy. It is purely a joy to have a look at your joyous and happiness kid. That is why we spend a lot of funds and time select the best toy for our sons, and all time we are in doubt picking out toys for our toddlers we like to be assured that this toy is really the single which will do our toddler look pleased. It is not an simple mission to get the right decision. And if you sense a bit confused and worried about purchasing the best plaything for your kid here are a few considerations that will help you to do it well.

The mainly valuable factor is safety

As the generally important aspect is safety you have to be very careful and focused while buying a toy. It usually is a excellent idea to read the information on the box where it shall be written about the age of the babe this toy can be given. Babes under 3 years shall not play with toys which are very slight or consist of small elements which easily can take off. Choking dangers are very dangerous for tiny babies for the reason that they always try the eat of any thing they come across and might choke. A safe toy is the one which can not hurt your child if it take place to fall on him or her, so it doesn't have to be very weighty. A toy mustn't have sharp sides they might harm your kid. Selecting a careful baby toys for your little one, make assured that you verify to see if the toy you're consider is safe meets the safety norms that it should.

What assists development?

Have you ever seen a toddler's eyes, when a plaything he was given, produced some sounds, it can be a phrase or a piece of harmony? The mainly attractive and interesting toy to the children mainly at the age of first months is those that create sound Euphonious music has a special and favorable impression on babies, newborns for example can not centre on exclusive shapes, but they clearly hear noises, even being in the womb. Talking plaything is not just funny item but the one which helps to develop the child as well. It stimulates your baby's senses which facilitates improvement and motivation to mingle with others.

Doing several investigation is helpful

Be grateful to currently technology and the Internet which gives chance to a lot of nations to communicate and share their views on the recommended products. This research will keep you from purchasing low-quality articles or even risky. Buying a toy grand piano for your newborn you wish to be convinced that the plaything you purchase is not going to last a week or two. Quality is not the last criterion you can keep an eye on while picking a toy. Their reviews can make easier you to discover out whether the offered wooden baby toys are good or bad. If the review about a certain toy is negative but has realistic facts you may not want to purchase that toy for your babe.
About the Author:
We can unite occupational with pleasure, because our interest is to sell the most pleasant objects for infant-TOYS. We strive to recommend a wide assortment of toys of different forms, texture, material and dimension. We have baby toys to all choice, toys for all skills and development that your child wishes at the second. You can buy wooden baby toys at brilliant rates and we take full responsibility for their quality.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Educational Infant Toys: Make Your Baby Happy And Smart


by Julie Peterson
Educational Infant Toys Combine Fun and Learning

All parents want the best for their child's development. They also want their life to be as easy as possible since caring for a baby or a toddler is one of the hardest things most people will ever experience. Buying an educational infant toy is a great way to incorporate fun and learning into your child's life starting at an early age. Educational infant toys from famous manufacturers such as Leap Frog, Fisher Price, and other infant toy makers are very popular. When you begin with educational infant toys and then toddler educational toys, you can make a big impact on your child's mind while still giving them a way to fun. Some research shows that stimulating your child as an infant can make a difference in how well they learn later on.

Educational Infant Toys Versus Other Kinds of Toys

Toys can offer a lot more than mere entertainment; they are also able to offer mental stimulation and education, and teach basic motor skills. The earliest toys often consist simply of patterns that the baby can look at. Later on, as the baby is able to grasp and even sit up, the toys mix patterns with shapes and textures. Later still, learning can move on to letter and number recognition, counting, and even reading. Not only do the toys teach the children, but they also demonstrate that learning is an important value in your family.

Toy safety is always a concern, so make sure that all toys for infants are large enough that they will not fit inside the tube of a toilet paper roll.

Types of Educational Infant Toys

Patterned educational infant toys are great for babies from newborn upwards. Some are black, white, and red, and made specifically for the most basic form of infant stimulation. The bright and contrasting colors and patterns provide interest for your baby, and also create visual stimulation. In addition to visual educational infant toys, there is also the clutching variety, such as rattles and crib toys. Stacking rings are an example of toys that are good for children around two years old. When the child is older and is beginning to either walk or crawl, toys made for this period are helpful, and have the added benefit of rescuing items that you prefer would not be grasped.

Realistic-looking toys from pretend food to dolls, puppets, and toy animals are often educational infant toys because your children can learn a lot through role-playing games. Toys that depict numbers and letters and offer brightly colored pictures to associate with them help children get a boost on their education. Art toys are also wonderful educational infant toys, helping your children develop fine motor skills and perfect their hand-eye coordination. Don't forget bath toys! Even while getting clean, you can surround your child with educational infant toys that keep them learning and entertained.

Educational Infant Toys Make Great Gifts

When children are constructively occupied, this is wonderful for their parents. Consider purchasing educational infant toys for your next friend or relative's baby shower, or as a just-because present for all those busy mothers you know. It's a wonderful gift to give the parents some precious time to get some practical or desired things accomplished; and it's a wonderful gift to help young children along on their lifetime of learning when you give them not only fun, but educational infant toys.

Friday, July 11, 2008

10 Tips for Toddler Safety

by Marvin J Markus
Keeping your toddler safe is one of your most important jobs as a parent of a young child. It can also be one of the hardest jobs you have because toddlers naturally get themselves into a lot of dangerous situations due to their curiosity and lack of understanding of what is unsafe.
Follow these tips to make sure that your toddler is safe wherever he is:
1. Always be careful to check the area to make sure that it is "childproof."This means constantly checking, not just once! Remember that things change. It can be the smallest thing that you may not notice that gets your toddler into a dangerous situation. Remember that toddlers are unpredictable and extremely curious. They may be interested in things that you wouldn't even notice. That's part of the wonder of childhood, but it's also a big part of the danger of childhood!
2. Don't let your attention be diverted away from your toddler when you are using cleaning products, electrical appliances, medicines, or anything else that may be hazardous to your toddler. You must realize that it only takes a few seconds for your toddler to get into big trouble with something like this. For example what if you are using a household cleaner and the doorbell rings. If you leave the cleaning materials unattended for even a moment while you go get the door, your child could be into them and cause a very serious problem in that short amount of time.
3. It's important to be particularly alert of your toddler's activities during very stressful times. It's during these times that we let our minds get preoccupied with other things. It's during these times that the worst accidents can occur. You have to stay alert!
4. You must never leave your toddler alone anywhere. Not in your house, not in the backyard, nowhere! You should also not leave your toddler alone in a room unless it's absolutely 100% safe. And even if you do leave your child alone in such a room, do not leave them alone with another young child under age 5 or a pet.
5. You should be familiar with basic first aid procedures and with CPR.
6. Safety doesn't mean your child can't play. When your child is in a safe place let them "experiment" with their toys and with things that are safe. Children do need to learn from their mistakes. As long as those mistakes are not dangerous, they are OK to make.
7. Always set a good example for safety. Your child is more likely to do what you do than to do what you say. If you tell your child to be safe but then you regularly do things that are unsafe, they will certainly learn to ignore your words and to follow your actions.
8. Make sure your toddler knows that "hot" means very dangerous. You can make sure your child knows this by letting them touch something that is uncomfortably hot, but not so hot it can actually hurt them. Children learn best by doing, they need to know that hot is bad at a very young age to avoid an unthinkable tragedy.
9. You should always remind your child of the dangers of sharp objects whenever they see you using a knife, scissors, or anything else sharp. Let them know that only adults like you ever use knives and other sharp things. Let them know that they are extremely dangerous.
10. Have your child practice with steps. Steps can be very dangerous for a young child and it's tempting to block them off from steps entirely. But they are better off learning how to use them in a safe way. Let them practice with just three steps at a time. Use a gate to keep them from going any farther.
About the Author:
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