It has been six plus decades, yet Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm still ranks highly when it comes to educational toys and games that help youngsters develop mentally. These types of tools for educational learning often last with young learners into the late teens if not adulthood. Not to mention parents who enjoyed such classic approaches to learning games and toys also like to pass the tradition on and watch their own children get a kick out of the same toys.

Behind the Scenes

Though neither of the men behind the Uncle Milton company or the ant farm product are still around to receive honors and praise, the attention is still warranted. The company’s co founder, Milton Martin Levine, passed just last year. However, the company left behind is still holding its own. Of course the recent surge in popularity with the Ant Farm has helped contribute to continued success.

Part of the reason for the Ant Farm’s continued success isn’t just parents with fond memories of their first educational games and toys. The ant farm has continued to get recognition over the years, including mention on lists of top 100 toys of all time. Of course the company does more than produce ant farms. The products offered are meant to help children develop their minds as well as be entertained, two traits that are essential to a popular line of learning toys, especially those that withstand the tests of time.

The Tradition Continues

While many toys in Uncle Milton’s past had more of a kitsch collectible appeal as opposed to being a learning tool, the Ant Farm always remained a popular seller. So much in fact, that it was part of what made the company realize they wanted to work more towards branching out in the educational toys and games direction. This pattern continues as the company announces it has teamed up with National Geographic to offer young learners new educational games and toys linked to the great outdoors.

While there have proven to be an improvement and increase in the amount of educational software and video games, Uncle Milton wants to see young learners get up off the couch and get moving. By encouraging kids to explore the outdoors while they learn about it, the company feels there are greater benefits to be had, aside from being entertaining. Don’t worry, the classic Ant Farm is certainly still around, it just may be getting an overhaul with a revamped “Ant Farm Revolution”, which will take on a video game approach. Whatever the approach, parents can be sure their kids are learning with Uncle Milton.

The problem arises with the new line of “Lego Friends.” This learning tool, according to Brown, is not promoting anything educational when it comes to girls. The new Lego toys are focused towards females, but seem to be trying to set the gender back by promoting outdated stereotypes. In addition to Brown, activist groups fighting the sexualizing and stereotyping of women are enraged by Lego’s portrayal of female characters.

The Reason for the Protest

The latest Lego Friends is meant to appeal to girls yet puts them in an unflattering category. The characters are being challenged for being too thin, having a busty chest area and being more concerned with their tan than anything educational. The female Lego characters leave activists such as Brown astounded at the fact that a company would produce a toy making women seem more interested in sitting poolside than at their place at the boardroom table.

Groups protesting the toys want to see the focus off of a female toy that has a hot convertible and wants to go out to clubs, which is an unfair and unflattering portrayal. Also, many feel the taller, thinner characterization of females only adds to the pressures upon young girls to look a certain way or fit a certain body image mold. Developing young girls should not have this type of concern with weight, and many groups feel the Lego Friends female characters will spur this.

From Lego’s Corner

Legos have long been attempting to find a way to increase the amount of female youngsters who enjoy the toy. After much research and design, the Lego Friends was an effort to gain more girls as Lego fans. Due to the protest now the toy line launch, which was set for the first of this year, has been pushed back. The trouble is, from Lego’s standpoint, the resulting characters are what market research said young, female consumers wanted. Brown answers this claim by saying that toy companies are responsible for also helping educate children by giving them what they need, not just what they want.

Groups caught in the middle feel getting girls building with Legos already helps break a stereotype and encourages females to break that particular mold. If it takes giving youngsters what they would want from the toy in relation to looking “girly”, then many feel it is a small price to pay. These groups think that as girls grow, they will naturally fall away from this stereotype because they were encouraged and interested in using educational toys that are more stereotypically “boys.” Besides, many feel there is nothing wrong with a girl still being interested in being “girly” but understanding being equal by playing with the same toys as boys their own age.

Some topics are more challenging when it comes to actually holding a child’s interest, or getting it in the first place for that matter. When it comes to the topic of history, companies have to work that much harder to present the information in a unique enough way to help the child learn. With a new game for use with the iPad, Serious Games Interactive is fairly confident the mission has been accomplished.

About the Video Game

More and more digital media is becoming a great method to use to create educational games and toys. As children have become more attached to devices such as iPads, getting them to switch from games that are purely entertainment to ones with educational value is not that challenging. Educational games have proven to be beneficial to learning and early development; of course the challenge still lies in making the games engaging and interesting enough to make kids want to play and learn.

The latest from Serious Games Interactive is a 3D online challenge for players to use online. The idea behind this is to get kids involved, interested and learning but in a more engaging manor. “The Plague” is set in 14th century Florence, and the main character must help his or her own mother, who has been infected. The game involves the main character finding his or her way through the streets, gathering information and being careful not to also contract the plague. Through the game, the player learns about the era, the city and the plague that wreaked such havoc during this time period.

The Approach to Learning

Using any of the “Playing History” learning series from Serious Games Interactive is a great approach to get kids away from just playing video games and into learning in the process. The company feels it has found the proper balance of education and fun that will help this generation and future ones learn about a history that is not always taught in full detail anyway.

Many of the topics that are the focal point of the Playing History games are only briefly touched upon in history classes. Throughout their school years, children are often rushed through a general overview of most of world history and even US history. Part of the goal of the Serious Games Interactive is to create educational games that help children learn by practically being there first hand. In addition to The Plague, the company has more games to be launched soon all centered around history in an effort to help children learn while they play.

Though Thangaraju is a software engineer by trade, his desire to work towards developing educational software for children was something he chose for himself. It is his own experience with and knowledge of his homeland’s education system that made him realize the importance of educational games and toys. Originally from India, Thangaraju has seen the private education system get alarmingly expensive, leaving some children with less of an opportunity to learn the way they should. This is what helped inspire the software designer to take action.

A New Approach Is Born

Not only did Thangaraju feel children were lacking proper education unless their families could afford the high price tag, but learning morals seemed to be all but forgotten. By designing tellyquiz.com, Thangaraju feels children can learn ideals that are as important as academic lessons, such as moral values and how to make morally sound decisions. For many youngsters the only way to gain these moral lessons is through an approach other than school.

The basics of the system include questions covering all the basic subjects children need to learn about in school. Though the quizzes range from math and languages to moral issues, Thangaraju has also tried to encourage and inspire kids with the use of motivational video, clips and quotes. The best part is the approach is subtle and does not leave children feeling they are being forced to learn things they do not want to study. It isn’t about being talked down to or lectured by using this site, it is about learning and having fun while doing so.

Making a Change

Though Thangaraju has invested much of his own time and money into making this project happen, he feels it has been well worth it. For this particular software designer, it has been about more than making educational software for kids. Thangaraju hopes to actually help change young lives by giving them tools for learning and development. All this may help certain children learn academics and morals that may not be acquired any other way.

One of the best details of tellyquiz.com is that children around the globe to use it and benefit from it, for free. Regardless of the subject, or whether it is scholastic or moral, the point of this site is to give kids learning tools for all subjects. Whether kids continue to college because of it or grow up to have stronger morals, either way Thangaraju will feel he has helped make this happen. With plenty of entertainment only sites online for kids to be interactive with, it is refreshing to finally find one that helps young minds develop and grow.

The question of concern about children being “babysat” by the TV has been around since about as long as the television. The problem now only seems to increase as more and more types of technology continue to grab the attention of little ones. While even adults are guilty of being distracted while using devices such as Smartphones and iPads, the effects on developing minds could be worse.

Sensory Overload

The concern continues to grow that children are moving too far away from educational games and toys and connecting to technology with little educational value. While certain toys that are a modern day technology replica of grown up technology such as tablets and laptops have actual educational value, kids aren’t always interested. While many of these approaches, such as the LeapFrog, have been award winners for years, the effects may be starting to wear thin on children. This is especially true of kids who get a hold of any of their parent’s gadgets and then try to be switched to the kid’s version. Most of the time the child already is hooked to the real thing.

Many parents are beginning to skip the “toy version” of modern day technology and go right for the real deal anyway. The increase in parents buying their children an iPad versus the toy equivalent this past Christmas was certainly cause for alarm. Many other parents, educators and advocacy groups feel children are being robbed of the chance to learn and play as children and skipping ahead to the grown up version of simply being technologically connected. The biggest problem with this is the inability to enjoy educational software or educational games.

Understanding the Difference

Some parents feel a gadget in their child’s hand is at least a way to keep them busy. Parents hope their child will opt to watch, play or use educational games and other digital media. The problem is that is giving too much of the decision making to the child. When a child is given an educational game or DVD, he or she will more than likely enjoy it and benefit from it without realizing it is educational.

When given the choice to make on their own, few youngsters have yet to develop these types of adult decision making skills. In these cases, the child will be tuned in but never actually fully engaged, which results in the lack of learning and the inability to concentrate or focus. Being connected to a portable DVD player or Smartphone and playing games on a tablet at the same time could be a very dangerous habit to let your child begin.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.