Educational Games and Toys

Welcome to EducationalToys.com. Here we’ll offer news, information, reviews and comparisons of the best educational games from educational toys to software.

Almost any toy could be considered educational in some way but today there are more educational games, toys, and software designed to help educate and improve children’s development. Educational games are specifically created to help instruct, stimulate intellectual challenges and cognitive development. Educational toys can teach people about a specific subject or improve a particular skill.

There are more educational games and toys developed specifically for teaching children and young adults than ever before. Technology and advanced manufacturing, toys and games today can include the latest technology and research to focus a toy’s purpose to not only entertain but also educate.

Kids Go Digital to Learn Problem Solving Techniques

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Peter

In today’s modern world, young learners require more than they did decades or even just a few years ago. While the basics for reading, writing and basic math skills are still as essential now as they were years ago, the world is more complex now. Now without the ability to study and learn about all things related to the digital world, kids can begin to get more lost. New studies indicate the younger the learners, the better when it comes to integrating studies in the world of technology as part of the academic curriculum.

So, how exactly do new reports claim children may benefit by adding the field of digital studies to their scholastic curriculum? Several beneficial factors may apply. One of the most basic skills that kids can develop by working with educational software is to build or improve upon those crucial problem solving skills. As the business and employment gets more tech-savvy, there are plenty of skills kids could eventually need to get ahead or even survive in the job market of the future.

Computer Intelligence Inside

While knowing how to writing code and computer programming may be a valuable skill to know right now, it is not by any means required for too many career choices. Looking to the future, studies seem to indicate more and more career choices not even directly related to the digital field will demand more tech-savvy employees. For now, even learning how to use and move through educational software on a home or classroom computer is important. These are things generations before did not have to worry about.

More and more of the personal life basics will be moving towards using apps, software and other digital resources for this generation and those to come. For instance, budgeting your household income and even using, creating or altering software for personal use will be much more common. Children will have to become tech-savvy at an earlier age to use educational toys and games to play, get creative with creating art and even reading or writing. It’s one reason kid’s educational toys are moving more towards using laptops, tablets and smart phones to be more like mom and dad.

How Learning Will Change

Reports also indicate the use of educational software is on the rise. Parents are introducing their children to it at younger ages. Schools are beginning to integrate this type of learning tool to help level the playing field. For starters, a subject may be made more complicated to study based on an educator’s ability to teach the concept. This can leave many students confused and frustrated.

Basic educational software on a subject would mean a comprehensive program more easily understood by a larger percentage of students. Not to mention that the “No Child Left Behind Act” has made it more difficult for teachers to ensure all students get the individual teaching needed. Educational software can be adjusted to help those who learn at a different level be able to learn at the pace they need.

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Are Video Games Educational Toys or Bad News?

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Peter

The debate has been raging since around the time video games first came onto the scene – are video games nothing but trouble? With more recent developments in educational games for video game consoles, the debate has regained some fuel to get the burning issue raging again. The trick is deciding what impact video games may have on the brain, especially a young developing mind. The trouble may be there is still not enough research or reports to tell if your kid’s video games are causing damage or sharpening skills.

In recently released reports, a small group of researchers did release the data they found in relation to young minds and video games. On the one hand, the positive news from the new studies appear to indicate there can be educational applications that help children in relation to video games as educational toys. It is also noted that video games could also be a hindrance as much as a useful tool.

The Good, the Bad and the Somewhere in Between

When it comes to your child’s grey matter, there still seems to be a bit of a grey area. Every researcher, educator and parent wants a cut and dry answer even though much of the results seem to fall in between the two. It is important to keep in mind much of the results can also depend upon the individual. Just as one child can have greater amounts of sweets in the diet and still stay in shape, others seem unable to keep a healthy balance.

With video games, a great deal of it is moderation and balance, but it does also depend on certain traits or even habits of the child. For example, a child who plays more video games than another but also spends more free time reading may not notice the negative effects of higher levels of video game usage. Some benefits in general for kids, aside from the knowledge gained from educational games, include better social skills, better problem solving abilities and increased hand eye coordination. Of course, the content of the game plays a major role in how the video game can impact your child. Violence and adult content are more likely to not have the same positive effects as age-appropriate videos games.

Using Care and Judgment

While moderation is best, a parent should still closely monitor the types of games you child plays. Most parents like to reward positive behavior or time spent playing an educational game with a video game of the child’s choosing. Yet parents still need to closely monitor the video game to avoid games with excessive violence or adult content.

Research may indicate these types of games can cause a child to behave more aggressively, be desensitized and lack cognitive and social skills or development needed to be well rounded. Not only that, but too much time spent logged in with video games can lead to a child’s dependence on video games or even an addiction.

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Educational Software Could Bridge the Classroom Gap

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Peter

The burden upon educators to train our children, build and develop young minds but also work with different skill levels of comprehension is getting that much more challenging. While it may have been easier at one time when classrooms could be divided up to offer special assistance to those students who needed more one-on-one attention, funding and budget cuts have all but made this next to impossible. Add to that the stress of meeting the “No Child Left Behind” regulations and it can leave teachers feeling overwhelmed and under-appreciated.

Meeting even the expected basic minimum requirements can seem challenging these days, not to mention hoping to encourage some students to rise above, excel and reach their full potential. The good news is that technology can act as a educational tool to help bridge that gap. The bad news is that the system needs to recognize this and implement it before it is too late. The other alarming concern is that there is no proof to back the importance of technology as an educational tool that can help make teachers’ jobs easier.

Man versus Machine

The core problem and hot button issue is that teachers are expected to train all students so that each one reaches the same level of scholastic achievement. This, however, requires educators to take the time to distinguish which students learn at what pace and how to balance lesson plans to reflect this. The time this takes alone is burdensome and would be best left to a machine, the time saving efforts of a computer in fact.

Through correct programming and educational software installation, a computer can help educate a teacher and adapt to the child’s skill level or learning ability. Not only can a computer basically adapt by giving lesson plans suited to the student’s individual learning abilities, but this can also make the child eager to learn. While many teachers do have the ability to design interesting lesson plans and hold their students’ attention, a computer is more likely to be able to do the same in more instances.

Technology as an Educational Tool

The proper use of computers and educational software results is students learning and comprehending new materials. It also means better tools for teachers to be able to tech their students what needs to be taught. One area where an educator beats out a machine is the ability to handle a child’s need for extra help with compassionate one-on-one training. Using the combination of educator and educational software seems a way to get the best of both worlds when it comes to academics and making certain no child gets left behind.

The time and effort saved alone for teachers using educational software instead of just lesson plans would be enormous, not to mention the potential for computers to save time grading quizzes and tests. The free time could then be invested back in the classroom and the students by giving those students who need it more individualized attention. As the world moves more and more towards relying on technology, it is also an important way to help get young learners acquainted with and proficient with computers through educational software programs.

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The Best Educational Toys this Season Are Freebies

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Peter

Though it may be hard to believe after the frantic madness that happens each year to fill the kids’ wish list, there are some great free educational toys to be had. Just don’t go trying to convince your youngsters of this come next holiday season. Your best bet is to make use of these great finds in the moments after the new toy thrill has worn off. Once your little ones seem to have lost interest in what they swore was the “must have” gift of the season, those free educational toys will comes in quite handy.

Surprisingly, the best educational toys aren’t just free, they require no assembly, which should have parents releasing a huge sigh of relief. What is required is supervision from parents and possible even interaction. For many parents, this isn’t a burden; it is a blessing. Of course, the key is understanding what exactly an educational toy involves.

Defining an Educational Toy

There are certainly plenty of fancy educational toys on the market these days. There are even, in fact, educational games including video games that offer players great benefits. A toy is a concept more so than a truly definable definition. For many a toy is whatever one finds joy in playing with, whether it is the latest, pricy technological super gadget or the box that the gadget came in.

Toys therefore could be as much creativity and imagination as opposed to movable and breakable moving parts, bells, whistles and other flashy details. Many grandparents and even parents may recall the days of using one’s imagination to conceive of making toys out of whatever was available on a rainy afternoon to play with around the home. Of course, many of these educational toys may not hold up in comparison on the level of enthusiasm that a new hand held electronic gadget will, but get your kids involved and you may be surprised.

Making the List

So what exactly did make it on the list of free educational toys that require no parental assembly efforts? Consider these items:

  • Rock
  • String
  • Box
  • Stick
  • Clay
  • Dirt
  • Water
  • Bubble wrap
  • Sand

Of course, you usually can’t go too wrong with the old standard cardboard tube you can find after finishing a role of paper towels or gift wrapping paper. Making these items into educational toys is where the creativity comes into play. With any one of these alone your child could create a toy, but combine two or more and the possibilities are limitless.

Using such basic “tools” as educational toys helps a child develop in a more natural atmosphere. This will show your child and you where interests and skills may fall, such as building and sculpting or puzzle building and problem solving. So, while your child’s next Christmas wish list may not include dirt and rocks, know that you can encourage them to think outside the box when it comes to educational toys by making use of a box as a toy.

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New Advancements Teach Youth about Intellectual Property

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Peter

The youth of today have a world much different than even the generation prior. Technology and the internet are such a large part of their lives, it is hard to even help this generation grasp the concept of a time before Smartphones, motion activated video games and online gaming or classrooms. Amazingly, however, teaching youngsters that the theft of intellectual property is wrong or what it is at all has become a bit of a challenge.

This is challenging partly because it is often times difficult to explain or comprehend the theft of something when it is not even tangible. Just as generations before have had to learn about plagiarism as the theft of another writer’s words, this generation needs to learn about the need to protect intellectual property. Generally the concept is much the same as it is when applied to plagiarism.

Understanding Intellectual Property Rights

To comprehend intellectual property rights (IPR), one must understand what IP or intellectual property is. Just as words are to a writer, other creations that can be found online are the intellectual property of the person who created them. Whether it is words, design, photos or other things found online, IP is not usually created with the intention of allowing it to be stolen.

It is, of course, much harder to protect the rights of something that is intangible, especially when it comes to copying it. While an invention could have a copyright or trademark, most IP only has the IPR a creator should have. The IPR is intended to protect one’s intellectual property from being stolen or misused, but it doesn’t always work as quickly or easily as it should.

How the Abuse, Misuse and Theft Occurs

The most common way people end up stealing IP is by illegal downloads. The problem is that it has become so common, many people do not seem to act as though they know or believe it is illegal. For this reason, today’s youth seems to be growing up in a cyberworld where the theft of IP is not even considered theft. Software has been one of the industries hit hardest by theft through illegal downloads.

So how can anyone reverse this problem by informing youth of this problem? The newly created B4USurf.org was designed with exactly this mission in mind. This free and informative website is meant to help the youth of today understand what is right and wrong when it comes to surfing the web and using intellectual property. The site’s intention is to bring awareness to anyone ready to use the internet of what exactly IPR is and how to avoid stealing or downloading any intellectual property that could actually be illegal.

Much of the goal behind this site is to put a dent in the growing amount of software piracy that occurs on a regular basis. Because illegal use or misuse of IP can happen almost accidentally in some cases, the purpose of the site it also to help all web surfers know what to look for and how to avoid illegal activity.

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MIT Launching Innovative Learning Platform

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Peter

Though the concept of online learning and online classroom platforms is nothing new, MIT is set to bring advancements to the industry. The release from MIT explained what the tentative plans were for the new system that they would be rolling out. The new online approach gives students access to different areas where they can perform different duties or activities.

The main focus is to enable enrolled students to learn the material at their own pace. With everyone having such hectic lifestyles, it is no wonder having the ability to study on a student’s own schedule is such a key factor. Not to mention this style of learning makes it possible for those adults who are already busy with a career and family life to still be enrolled as MIT students and working towards a degree.

What This New Launch Means

Aside from giving potential and current students the ability to study and learn at their own pace, the new launch from MIT will have other features and advantages. For one thing the new system will also enable students to interact, which will help with team assignments and tutoring. If nothing else, it helps open the lines of communication between students for whatever purpose they choose.

The new system from MIT will also include online laboratories. This is the perfect approach to team or group learning as well as team assignments and group projects. From the online point, a student’s work can be reviewed and graded and then returned for the student to see. Once a student has finished his or her work, assignments and tests, they will also be able to see and gain access to their certificates of completion online.

How and Why It Works

While it may not come as much of a surprise with technological advancements these days, MIT’s system will be based upon an open source, scalable software platform or infrastructure. The reason behind this planning and developing is that MIT hopes to increase the effectiveness of the learning experience through the institution. Not only that, but it makes it more accessible to such a vast number of possible students.

The way MIT sees it, having access to online tools will be what makes it possible for students to comprehend the subject matter with greater ease, especially if a student also has the ability to learn at his or her own pace. Working through lab experiences and projects is easier with the tools students will have available as well as the pace each one sets. Also having access to communication with fellow students helps interaction, which can result in better subject matter comprehension.

The two main goals are to increase enrollment and to act as a “guinea pig” for all online class format research. MIT hopes to grow to be able to include millions of students around the globe in due time. Also this platform is to help better understand how online classes work and how effective they are. In years to come other schools will follow in the footsteps of MIT, thanks to the platform developed and implemented by the training facility.

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Video Games Can Be Educational

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Peter

The debate on whether or not there are any actual benefits to playing video games may finally be “game over.” The good news is new reports indicate there actually can be some benefits to video games, especially those educational games that have become more popular with newer home gaming systems such as Wii and Kinect. The bad news is your kids will never let you forget this possibility.

Practically since the very conception of video games parents and experts have been trying to discover if there really is any benefit to allowing kids to play them. Aside from the obvious need for kids to have some fun downtime, it seemed there was very little proof kids or adults could benefit from video games. In fact, many experts cited home video game consoles as part of the problem with the growing obesity epidemic. Finally, there is a glimmer of hope that video games may have some pros to balance out the cons.

Dissecting the Theory

The key idea here is that aside from educational games there are other video games that may have some benefits. Avoid M (for mature) rated games and leave out the games with too much violence and harsh language, and you can still find fun, engaging, entertaining and even educational games your kids will love to play at home. For younger children the E for Everyone is the best category to find your kids video games under.

One major benefit of video games is the ability to bring the entire family together for playtime. Not to mention the inclusion of newly developed games to actually help players get physical activity. The newer consoles on the market such as Wii and Kinect enable players to use their body as the controller. Suddenly dancing, playing golf, rope climbing, jumping over obstacles and even fighting off zombies gets players off the couch and burning calories with cardio.

Making Education Interactive

Part of the newest reports regarding educational games that are part of the digital media category is that, when paired with guidance from a teacher or parent, a child was likely to see actual benefits. Because digital media tends to be more captivating with a better ability to hold a child’s attention, a young player was more likely to have better literacy skills.

In fact, recent studies show results with children as young as four to five years of age. This influenced the results for children beginning school. It seems many children who engaged in a combination of digital media with a parent or educator to help teach tend to be better prepared for kindergarten. This doesn’t limit the benefits to just younger children however.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Moderation is still key to keeping a child’s video game play beneficial.
  • Even the occasional non-educational video game can still help a child with hand eye coordination and skills such as problem solving.
  • Adults can also benefit from educational games, and playing with your youngsters helps create a family bonding atmosphere.
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New Studies Indicate Importance of Educational Playtime

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Peter

A new study released this month shows there may be more links between playtime and academics when it comes to childhood development. At the very least, the new reports seem to demonstrate that both academics and playtime are vital to early development for different reasons. The emphasis has long been on encouraging children to focus on academics in order to grow, learn and begin to advance. What experts may have been overlooking is the sheer importance of kids having the recreational time they require as well.

Academics Only Focus on One Area

Helping to encourage a young mind to develop is an important key concept to growth. However playtime can also work on some of the same skills and areas that academics do, as well as tap into areas academics may not, even if it means using educational games or toys to achieve the desired goal.

Playtime with or without educational toys and games helps youngsters work on cognitive and emotional skills. Not to mention these new studies show that interactive recreational time with peers can truly expand a child’s social skills. This same type of playtime that involves family members helps contribute and build upon family bonding. All of this can also enhance a child’s physical development.

Beyond the Family’s Social Economic Status

The new studies also stress the importance of healthy playtime regardless of the situation of the family the child is growing up in. Not only does every child deserve this type of interaction, but they each need it on some primitive, instinctual level. A child needs to be guaranteed some play time in a safe, nurturing and encouraging environment. Having the interaction with peers during this time also helps encourage leadership, communication and negotiation skills.

Even problem-solving skills, which can be developed through academics, may also be built upon through playtime. The concern is that areas that are impoverished suffer from a lack of programs or funding for programs that could help children of the community grow in this manner. Lower income areas tend to lack after school activities or physically challenging outlets for young children. In many areas even recess has been shortened or cut out completely.

What This Means for Parents

Parents who work and reside in impoverished areas are also challenged to help their child get the required recreational time needed. Even parents who want to be able to provide their child with the necessary outlet for playtime and development may not have the time or resources to do so. All of this can add up to creating the equivalent of stunted growth when it comes to emotional, social and basic skills needed to advance in life.

Researchers do, however, feel the solution is not that difficult and that educators and parents have to make it a point to be more proactive when it comes to providing children with the right amount of playtime, not to mention an environment that encourages it. Educators must also plan to help teach parents about what types of educational games or toys can help their child develop and how to create a safe place for their kids to get this time.

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Bright Starts Makes Learning Fun for Babies

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Peter

Moms and dads all over the world are always on the lookout for the next toy that is both fun and educational, and one brand that makes some of the most fun learning toys for babies is Bright Starts™. According to a survey of mothers in the United States, which was conducted by Bright Starts™, it is not the latest electronic toys that attract babies the most. The toys that babies really like are the ones that have bright colors, lights and sounds, or in other words, things that have been tried, tested and true. The survey asked 1,000 mothers about things including sounds, actions and toys that bring smiles to their babies’ faces. Here are the results:

  • 28% said funny and squeaky sounds made their babies giggle
  • 30% said their babies loved playing with cell phones
  • 23% said that their babies like to spin and dance
  • 23% said their babies smile when they hear “quack quack” and other funny sounds

The survey shows that babies love certain sounds, such as popping noises and silly songs, and these were the two things that really make their babies giggle. It is these giggles that are the inspiration for the newest line of toys from Bright Starts™, the “Having a Ball” series of toys. One of the fun toys, Alphabet Pop Top, provides plenty of fun sounds, bright lights and music, and kids can have fun while learning the alphabet, shapes and colors.

Another toy from this line, the Get Rollin’ Activity Table, has many features that are similar to the ones on cell phones that babies love so much. There are press and pop numbers, as well as a musical caterpillar with a cool theme song that helps children learn about colors, shapes, numbers, the alphabet and even animal noises. There are more than 60 songs and activities to keep little ones entertained all day long. For more animal noises, there is the Cluck & Learn Barn, which has all kinds of fun animal noises and favorite nursery rhymes.

The Roll & Chase Bumble Bee is an excellent toy for helping babies learn many things, including how to crawl. The bee moves and rolls around the floor, and babies love chasing and laughing at it. This is also an educational toy, as it can be used to teach babies about numbers, colors and shapes. All of these toys from Bright Starts™ are exclusively available at Toys ‘R’ Us, and range from $5 to $45.

Bright Starts™ is a brand of products for kids that allow them to play and have fun, while learning things at the same time. There are more than 100 products currently available from Bright Starts™, which is the flag ship brand for Kids II, Inc. (a company creating children’s toys for more than 40 years), and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company has received numerous industry awards, and is considered to be one of the leaders in kids’ educational toys.

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Colleges Using Video Games as Teaching Aids

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Peter

It may not be long before instead of opening a text book to do homework, college and university students will be going online to play video games instead. Many colleges are finding that using video games is an excellent way for students to learn. This has been done in elementary and high schools with much success, and now college professors are seeing ways that gaming can help their students. Now, many courses are being supplemented with video games. This is proving to be as successful as it is with younger students, and can be used to teach many different subjects at a college or university level.

Benjamin Lok, an associate professor in computer and information science and engineering, said that video games are “successful tools to teach a variety of subjects”, which range from computer graphics, art, music, simulation and design.

One of the reasons why video games are such a great learning tool is because students are able to have fun while they learn. It has long been known that if a student enjoys learning, he or she is going to learn much more than students who are bored with the course material. Students are more apt to be more interested in their course work, and the games allow them to be engaged and have more motivation to learn. In a 2003 survey from the Pew Research Center, it was reported that 65% of more than 1,100 students from 27 different colleges were regular video game players. With so many students playing video games, it only stands to reason that they would enjoy playing games that would help them with their studies.

A new game has been created by a team that included Marston Science Library digital arts and sciences assistant professor Ben DeVane and other researchers to help students learn about science, technology, engineering and math called Gaming Against Plagiarism. The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, is a three-level game that teaches the above subjects, as well as informing students about how to recognize plagiarism and how to avoid doing it.

Students will start playing the game in May in research-focused courses and workshops at colleges and universities all around the United States, said DeVane. He stated this project is a way to make a boring topic interesting. DeVane said, “we designed this game to be not just like a series of quizzes about research-misconduct but also an experiential thing.”

Students begin the game by trying to get funding for research, and end up being research-misconduct investigators. They try to learn who is the serial plagiarist on campus, and learn about many things along the way. The only problem that can be seen with this game is that there are still many students who are not into video games, but this is not something that is seen as being that big of a problem.

DeVane said, “if you can get the facts for free by learning while playing, then that’s generally something that more people prefer as opposed to doing something that they think is boring.”

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