By ANGELA COPELAND
With Christmas just around the corner, we’re all thinking about what gifts to give to those we love. When it comes to buying gifts for children, it’s important to consider giving a few educational gifts to reinforce skills they learn at school and make learning fun. Below are some ideas to stimulate the mind.
Ages 1 – 3
Colors and Shapes – To learn these concepts, we suggest the VTech Sort and Discovery Cube. This plastic cube has activities on each side that teach children colors and shapes as they engage with each activity. It plays music and lights up, which makes it even more fun and inviting to toddlers.
Coordination and Counting – The VTech Smart Shot combines a basketball net with a soccer goal, and has an electronic counting system. Made of light plastic, this safely teaches children hand-eye coordination, large motor skills and counting. Kids learn how to count and celebrate each goal.
Ages 3 – 4
Basic Skills – With the Melissa and Doug Basic Skills Board, kids learn how to tie, snap, button and zip, reinforcing those developing hand-eye coordination skills. The interactive teddy bear-themed game board has kinetic learning elements that can teach children these skills that help with independence at school and repetitive learning.
Ages 4 – 7
Reading and Writing – The LeapLeader Reading and Writing electronic book by LeapFrog helps children who are learning to read. They can trace over the letters and words with the provided electronic pen to hear certain words and letter sounds. This self-teaching device also helps with hand-eye coordination and cognitive skills development.
Ages 5 – 9
Sequential Order – The Learning Journey Match It Game allows children to practice placing things in order. The puzzle pieces only fit together if the picture is right and spells the word at the bottom. It teaches many skills including reading, spelling and picture identification, as well as problem solving and patience.
Angela Copeland is the center director at Children’s Lighthouse Learning Center Valley Parkway in Lewisville. She has worked in early childhood education for more than 18 years as a teacher and administrator. She is a mother of 3 and a wife to Randy Copeland of 19 years. For more information about Children’s Lighthouse, visit childrenslighthouse.com/valleyparkway.