Educational Toy Ideas for the Holidays

As the Holidays approach, the most often asked question we get is: what toy is best to get for my child, grandchild, etc.

We all want what's best for our children and what's better than providing them with toys that not only entertain, but teach as well? And that's what makes the Classic Toys, “classic” - they are time tested and outlast all the fad electronic “learning” toys for kids that often end up at the bottom of the toybox or the back of the closet soon after the Holidays.

So what makes the classic toys “educational”? In truth, most any toy for young children have educational value (so long as it's safe and age appropriate), but we'll be touching on two categories of educational toys: Manipulatives and Pretend Play.

Manipulatives: Rattles, Shape Sorters, Blocks, & Puzzles

What's more a more basic toy than baby's first rattle? Rattles & other noise-maker infant toys provide baby's first experience in cause and effect: they move the toy and it rewards them with a noise. It's also builds dexterity as they learn to grasp it and pass it from hand to hand.

Shape Sorters, Blocks, and Stacking Toys are great for older infants starting at about 18 months. Shape sorters work on identifying shape and manual dexterity to get them to fit the rights slot. Blocks can introduce pictures and the alphabet and teach cause & effect (build it & knock it down). Stacking toys introduce order.

The most popular manipulatives are puzzles. There are puzzles that are age appropriate from 12 months to 12 years and up. It doesn’t really matter how many pieces or what the picture, puzzles can teach many skills kids need to succeed.

First, and most obviously, puzzles teach subject matter. A child can learn something about the pictures that he is creating. Extensive vocabulary can help a child read at higher levels, especially in the middle school years and beyond.

Puzzles teach other language skills as well. When a parent and child do a puzzle together, the parent may help the child by suggesting: “turn it around” or “put it next to…” These are great directional words.

Children can also learn adjectives such as straight, curvy, round, red, blue, etc. Another language skill is categorizing. This means sorting objects or ideas in to groups that have a common theme.

Try this idea with familiar peg puzzles: Take 2 or more puzzles with different topics and scramble the pieces. Have the child sort the puzzle pieces into piles. You can provide (or ask the child to provide) a heading for each pile. This is a foundation skill for organizing facts for paragraph writing and constructing essays.

Puzzles also help children develop visual skills needed for reading. Simple infant and toddler puzzles can teach a child visual matching skills that can be transferred to reading tasks. Simple puzzles teach children to match one picture to its mate. Sometimes the pictures can be identical and other times the child must match a picture to its outline. Jigsaw puzzles also require visual closure skills. Children need to use clues from the surrounding pieces to choose the piece that fits. This teaches our brains to “size up” the whole picture- important for being able to "fill in the blanks" for reading difficult text and for life.

Finally, puzzles can teach good study skills. They require the child to get organized before starting a task, such as turning pieces picture-side up or sorting out straight edges. Children learn to develop a strategy: should I start by completing a focus object and working my way to others or should I do the edges first?

Puzzles teach perseverance, as a child has to try piece after piece in a particular spot, possibly many different ways. If the missing piece is not found, the child needs to decide to try another area. Lastly, puzzles teach older children how to manage long-term projects. Working on a puzzle a little bit each night can lead to a great accomplishment.

When selecting puzzles for young children, consider many things. Puzzles with pictures that interest the child are motivating. Also consider if the child has the visual skills and dexterity to complete the puzzle. Or maybe this puzzle will be one that he does with his family. There are many different kinds of puzzles so every age can be challenged and successful.

Pretend Play:

Make-believe play is more than just fun, it helps kids:

-Explore imagination

-Think in the abstract

-Acquire language skills

-Build social skills

-Problem solve

-Understand someone else’s perspective

-Learn essential life skills from adults

-Discover leadership skills

-Safely explore the world beyond

-Acquire confidence and a sense of self

The more open-ended the toy, the better. For example, a Dora Doll will likely be used only in associate with Dora story-lines. Which is fine, but a generic doll can be used for a lot more and requires more thought from the child to come up with stories.

There are several types of pretend play, and all should be encouraged:

Imitating mom & dad: taking care of the kids, shopping, going to work, playing with make-up, etc, help them learn the roles they will fill later in life. Provide your child with props that will let them pretend to be you: baby doll, shopping cart, kitchen, purse/wallet and the like.

Playing dress-up: Get the most out of your Halloween costumes and choose dress-ups that your child can play with all year. Grown-up clothes are also great dress-ups- just be sure they know what's available to them and what's not.

Acting out real-life stories & make-believe stories: School, doctor, bank, and favorite stories from books, tv, & movies encourage cooperative play with others, taking turns, and vocabulary.

Creating make-believe spaces such as sofa forts & box houses may encourage the budding architect in your little one and performing for an audience by singing, acting in skits, and directing puppet theater will build your child's imagination and confidence.

At Enkore Kids, we have plenty of toys to choose from in both categories discussed here: Manipulatives & Pretend Play. Ask to see our Melissa & Doug catalog or checkout our selection in the store and on-line at www.enkorekids.com today.

How to Shop Resale & Save Big!

Raising kids is expensive. The Consumer Expenditure Survey by the U.S. Department of Labor figures that households with incomes above $39k/year will spend between $170k and $250k to raise a child from birth to age 18. Of that, $1320-$1720 is for clothing in the first 8 years. Another $3000-$5000 will be spent in those same years for "miscellaneous" expenses that includes toys, equipment, etc. Housing, food, health, daycare, & education are not in that category.

This article is meant to help you cut your clothing and "miscellaneous" expenses in half or more for a potential savings of $2160-$3355 over 8 years.

But money isn't the only thing we need more of when raising a family. Especially, for two-income families, or single parents, time is a very scarce commodity as well. Tips on saving money that cost you time, wouldn't be very helpful.

We'll show you several methods of cutting expenses, in order of time-savings (least to most). You decide which method(s) best suit you and your needs.

Gifts: Whether new or used, from family or friends, gifts obviously are the cheapest way to clothe and equip your child. Unfortunately, we don't have control over the generosity or timing of others. A couple tips, however, to maximize this method:

1. Register for what you need for your baby shower, and ask your shower's hostess to let guests know where you are registered. Also let them know, that second-hand gifts in good condition would be welcome. Your guests can afford to be much more generous and instead of getting the 10th set of "take-me home" clothes, you'll get something that is actually useful.

2. After your child arrives, there will be many more occasions for gifts: birthdays and Christmas. Before these holidays, be sure to let potential gift-givers (most notably the grandparents) know what your child most needs and that second-hand items in good condition are fine. After all, will your two-year old really care?

3. Be sure to send out the "thank-yous". As soon as your child can hold a crayon, include their scribble on the note. It'll be something Grandma will cherish for years.

Yard Sales: These can yield feast or famine, but some prior planning can help you make the most of yard sale season.

1. Always have your best tools with you before you leave: the newspaper and your map. Read the paper the night before and map out your route. If any yard sales have phone numbers, call them. You can be sure the best items will be gone before the sale even starts.

2. Go to the most promising sale first. If you go there second, what you wanted will be gone.

3. Don't be afraid to negotiate, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

4. Look at rain as being a friend. Unless the ad specified a rain date, chances are it'll still be held. After all they paid for the ad and you're more likely to have less competition and get a better price.

Ebay: There are whole books (and courses) written for Ebay, but here are a few tips:

1. Always know the retail value of what you're bidding on. And know the condition of the item. Don't be afraid to ask questions and request additional pictures.

2. Know exactly what the shipping & handling & insurance costs will be. Understand the seller's return policy and if S&H is covered, most do not.

3. Only bid if the seller has an established (and good) reputation.

4. Search for items with common typos or misspellings. Most people search by keyword rather than by category so the $200 "brest pump" starting at $10 may go unnoticed unless you search harder.

5. Check out “Buy It Now” items, you won't have to wait for the auction to end before you know if you get it.

Second-Hand Stores: There are several types: thrift, which are run by non-profits and receive their items by donations; consignment, for-profit and receive items from consignors with whom they split the sale after the fact; and resale, also for-profit and buy their items outright from the previous owner. To get the most out of second-hand, keep the following in mind:

1. Organization: It won't save you any time having everything in one place if you can't find it. However, even in the best organized shop, you should always check neighboring sizes for misplaced treasures. Also, different manufacturers may size differently.

2. Lighting: That great deal on the Osh Kosh overalls won't seem so great if you could see the yellow stain dim lighting might hide.

3. Return Policies: If there isn't a place for you to have your child try on the clothes, think twice if there is any possibility it might be too small unless you can return it.

4. Wish List: Second-hand stores are constantly changing. If you don't see what you need today, it may be in tomorrow and sold the next day before you visit again next week. Ask if the shop maintains a wish list, so they can notify you if your item come in.

5. E-Mail/Direct Mail List: Many second-hand stores also keep customers informed of sales and inventory by e-mail, direct mail, or on their website. Make use of them to save you time and money.

6. Play Area: Is there something to keep your child occupied while you shop? A bored child will make it hard to find bargains.

7. Lay Away: In these tough times, it's helpful to avoid the credit card whenever possible - ask about Lay Away policies for larger purchases and plan ahead for the holidays.

Final Thoughts: The different methods of shopping second hand were, as I said, in order of time savings, least to most. Not in order of money saved. I've seen yard sale prices and Ebay auctions higher than items in second-hand stores and vice-versa.

The best way to ensure you save money is to be familiar with the prevailing retail price. You should never pay more than 50% of the retail value for something second hand, including S&H (if using Ebay). And be open to what you may need in the coming year, not just the current season as great deals don't always come around when you need them.

Shopping Second-Hand for the Holidays...

Benefits of Buying Second-Hand:

1. Economic – Generally at least a 50% savings over new for you and 100% of your purchase price stays to support the local economy and not sent to China or a corporate out-of-state headquarters.

2. Environmental – No packing material to add to the landfill and continued demand for re-used items means they don't end up in the landfill either.

3. Charity – Even if you can afford to buy everything new, what's left over in the budget for supporting your local church or charity?

Every gift-giving occasion, as parents, we've all remarked on it: the kids enjoy playing with the box more than the gift! But yet, we all want the world for our children, especially around the holidays. How do we do that while still maintaining the family budget?

Answer: Shop Second-hand!

As our country's economy continues it's malaise and with the increasing emphasis on protecting our environment through the motto "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle", shopping second-hand has lost its negative stigma.

Just how cool it is to get great deals is evidenced by the success of "Plato's Closet." Ranked 102 by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2010 on their 500 Fastest Growing Franchise list, Plato's Closet caters to teens and 20-somethings with the latest, though gently-used trends in fashion. If teens will buy second-hand, it must be cool! (BTW, a Plato's Closet is now in Frederick!)

Other great places to shop include thrift shops like Goodwill and Salvation Army or consignment and resale shops that specialize in bringing you the best nearly-new stuff around. Look in the phone book or the internet under the headings "thrift", "consignment" or "resale" to see everything that's available locally.

So if many folks buy used for themselves and their children at other times of the year, what's the big deal for the holidays?

Answer: We don't want to be seen as cheapskates.

With the kids, generally more is better. Toddlers will never know the difference between new and used. So what's the point in spending $50 on one toy when you can get five for the same price? School age kids will be more aware, but you can start showing them the value of the dollar by comparing how many more chores they'd have to do to earn some of the new things they want versus second-hand.

When shopping for other folks' kids, most people welcome the thoughtfulness of a truly unique gift. Anyone can buy the latest fad toy at Walmart. The time is spent in line, not in the search. But finding an original Star Wars Millennium Falcon or a vintage Fisher Price Castle – that's a gift they'll remember!

Approach the people who usually buy gifts for your family and let them know you want to help them stretch their budget and would appreciate unique and thoughtful second-hand gifts.

Not only will the kids have fun with the greater abundance of gifts to open, but you'll enjoy the search and you won't fear the credit card bill that follows.

Choosing a Diapering System:

What kind of diapers to use is not just a choice among Huggies, Pampers, and Luvs. The new generation of Cloth Diapers adds a whole new dimension to your diapering decision. There are three main reasons today's parents are choosing cloth over disposables:

1. Increased Savings.

2. Better Health.

3. Reduced Environmental Impact.

Increased Savings:

As any new parent can tell you a baby uses A LOT of diapers especially in the first few months. The cost of diapering a child in disposables for the first six months of life is approximately $270. That may not seem too bad until you realize that you will be diapering your child until they are at around 3, which will cost approx $2675, or if until age 4, then $ 3540. Now that is A LOT of money.

To cloth diaper a newborn with infant prefolds and covers for 3 months is approximately $117, diapering for 3 years with prefolds and covers costs $330, and for 4 years it’s only $390. Other types of cloth diapers, such as "All in Ones" or the "Pocket Diapers" will cost more money than prefolds and covers, but they still save money over disposables and add convenience over the prefolds.

Better Health:

Many children suffer from diaper rashes and allergic reactions to the gels used in disposable diapers that make them absorbent. Some diapers are so absorbent they can cause babies’ skin to dry out leaving it sore and tender. The plastic covers don’t breathe, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive, and the leg casings can chafe and cause irritation. Cloth diapers are made from many different materials, and in many different shapes and styles, so it is easy to find ones that won’t irritate babies’ skin.

Reduced Environmental Impact:

Reusing cloth diapers that can be made from materials that are naturally or organically grown such as cotton, hemp, or bamboo keeps millions of pounds of paper waste and chemicals out of the landfills and waterways. While you'll use water, detergent and energy to wash them, most agree that this has less impact than the manufacturing and disposal pollutants of disposable diapers.

Making Sense of Cloth Diapers:

There are many cloth diapers on the market today. While there are many brands of diapers out there they all are one of the following types:

1. Flat or Prefold Diapers.

2. Fitted Diapers

3. Pocket Diapers

4. All-In-One Diapers.

Flat or Prefold Diapers:

This type is simply a rectangle of cotton or hemp material that can be folded to fit most any baby. Prefold diapers are thicker in the middle while flat diapers are one layer of material throughout. These are the cheapest diapers to use and they wash and dry easily. They come in different sizes from preemie to toddler and are used with diaper covers or pants. Some people use pins or snappies (a small plastic gripper) to hold the diaper on the baby, while some people find a snug cover to be enough. Many people find these are easy to use and good for at home and when baby is little and needs frequent changes. You can also keep a supply of prefold or flat diapers to use as doublers or stuffers for other styles of diapers to customize the absorbency levels.

The following diapers come in a range of sizes from preemie to toddler, or you can purchase what are called one-size diapers that have different snap settings and a roll down waistband to fit babies from 8-35 lbs. All of these diapers also have a choice of snaps or velcro type fasteners.

Fitted Diapers:

These are like prefold diapers in that you need a cover to make a waterproof system but they are cut to fit a baby’s shape better without the bunching that can occur with rectangular diapers. These can be made from different fabrics and are easy to wash & dry.

Pocket Diapers:

These are our most popular style. They have a waterproof outer layer with usually a fleece inner layer and an opening at the back of the diaper to create a "pocket" between the layers. This allows the parent to add absorbent inserts to customize the absorbency level depending on the age and size of the child. The outer pocket and inserts come apart for easy washing and quick drying. Many people like these for naptime or overnight use and they can be convenient for daycare or a short trip.

All-In-One Diapers:

Known as "AIO" on the message boards, these diapers are the closest to disposables in terms of convenience and ease of use for most people. These diapers have a waterproof outer cover and an inner layer of absorbent materials. These diapers are ready to go with no stuffing or folding. Some people find them not quite as absorbent as they would like, but you can lay a prefold diaper or insert into the all- in-one to add absorbency if you like. Many people like these for daycare, the sitter, or traveling as there is no prep work — you put it on and go. They do take a little longer to wash and dry since they are thicker, though some styles have liners that can separate to speed up the process.

Most people find that a combination of several of the above types of diapers works well. Prefolds and covers for around the house, pocket diapers for naps and nighttime , and all-in-ones for daycare or trips. Enkore Kids carries a wide assortment and offers discounts on larger purchases. This will allow you to design the cloth diapering system that works well for you without a huge upfront investment.

Cleaning Up the Mess:

Washing diapers is something that many people seem to fear until they learn just how simple it can be.

After dumping any solids that you can into the toilet, place the diaper in a ventilated pail or bag until wash day. Keeping diapers in a closed container creates odors and can breed bacteria and yeast.

When ready to wash, put diapers into the machine and run a small cold rinse or prewash cycle with no soap. After the rinse cycle, gather the rest of baby's laundry, add your detergent and run a normal wash & rinse cycle. Most diapers can be washed in warm or hot water and also machine dried. Some covers need to be line dried so check the labels. If you notice staining, line drying them in the sun wll naturally bleach out stains.

There is no need to buy fancy detergents. The more basic, the better. Avoid: Enzymes, Softeners, Fragrances, Bleach, Optical Brightners, and Soap. All of those can leave a residue that can harm baby's skin and make the diapers less absorbent. Also, use 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended amount to prevent buildup.

A note for high efficiency washers - adding a couple towels to the load helps to get enough water in the load to get everything clean.

Maybe not quite as easy as throwing the mess all away, but to save money, reduce allergic reactions, and produce less environmental waste, we hope you'll give cloth diapering a try. Plus, many cloth diapering systems have a great resale value!

By Susan McCarthy & Jennifer Guenther

Co-Owners, Enkore Kids, LLC