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‘Tis the Season for Toys for Early Learning

posted by Jenna Barrett
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Turn off the TV. All of those toy ads. The stream is painful for parents, caregivers, educators and librarians who have an understanding and dedication to early learning and early literacy.

At Pierce County Library System, librarians agreed on the 5 Best Toys of All Time according to Wired’s GeekDad blog @ http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/01/the-5-best-toys-of-all-time/all/1

  1. Stick Child pointing stick
  2. Box
  3. String
  4. Cardboard Tube
  5. Dirt

 

These are true learning toys that foster a child’s imagination—from labeling them toys to creating the energy and magic within and from them. Imagination is perhaps the greatest lifelong gift.

Not a Box“Not a Box” and “Not a Stick” by Antoinette Portis engagingly portray two of these top toys. David Shannon’s “Too Many Toys” shares how a boy and his mother sort through toys and end with the roundup in GeekDad’s list.

To finish off one’s holiday shopping, one more toy needs tBlackouto be added to the list—at the top of the list: time from a parent or caregiver to a child. “Blackout” by John Rocco shares this wonderful tale as it transforms and reunites a busy family from their isolated lives to join with neighbors. Through this adventure, the family rediscovers the fun and gift of giving each other their time.

Happy Holidays and take time to read with, listen to and play with the children in your life. Give them the rich and favored gift of learning, and help set them on the road to healthy, compassionate and happy adults. 



Thank you, Pierce County Library System, a member of the Early Learning Public Library Partnership, for this contribution.