Educational Toys Rokenbok

How can you choose playthings that are truly learning toys?

How do you know a good educational toy when you see one? Phonics toys, flash cards, math games, educational videos and software. . . so many toys are packaged as educational, but what should you know to help you choose whats most appropriate for your child? One way experts teach us to think about educational toys is: do they promote convergent and/or divergent thinking?

Convergent Thinking

This is the ability to learn facts, follow instructions, and come to a correct answer. This type of thinking is fundamental to a childs education, especially because these days so many educational opportunities are tied to performing well on standardized and multiple-choice tests. Toys that promote convergent thinking lead children to deduce a single correct solution. A jigsaw puzzle only goes together one way each math flash card has a single correct answer the right color for a pink pig will always be pink in a preschoolers educational video.

Divergent Thinking

This is the thought process that explores many possible solutions, creates new ideas, and solves conceptual problems. Divergent thinkers are often designers, engineers, managers and leaders of all types, and generally are good at thinking outside of the box. Many educators argue that all children need a strong foundation in divergent thinking as well as convergent thinking. Toys …

Source: http://www.rokenbok.com/articles/educational-toys