Educational Toys - From Buckyballs to Toy Blocks to Computers

Educational toys have been around since the 18th century and have traditionally been used to teach children important skill sets they will use later in life while at the same time providing a form of entertainment so as to amuse the children and take out the boredom factor that sometimes accompanies these educational toys. More than three hundred years later, we still prefer to purchase educational toys for our children as they tend to teach them important skills, such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, gravity and spatial awareness. There are many different kinds of educational toys available in today's society.

One of the most traditional educational toys available has been the toy blocks. Although toy blocks have been around almost three centuries, they still have the uncanny ability to educate children with minimal exposure. One of the main reasons for this success is that toy blocks teach kids important and complex skills, such as manipulating objects with their hands and fingers. Children also benefit from increased social interaction when playing with other kids and building things together. Mathematical skills, such as addition and subtraction and increased creativity skills from building unique designs are also additional educational benefits children learn.

Educational toys, as popular as they are, have certainly come a long way. Modern technological advances have taken the concepts of educational toys and propelled them way beyond what the original inventors of toy blocks would have ever imagined. Since the advent of the computer many toy manufacturers have changed gears and concentrated their efforts on computer software and other electronic devices to help teach children new skills. Even though toy blocks are an indispensible way of teaching children core motor skills, one cannot discount the use of electronic media and computers in a child's education. As children get older and reach adulthood, they will more than likely be expected to utilize computers and other electronics. By acquainting children with modern electronic devices and computers it allows them to gain important skills they will most certainly use as adults. However, as good as these electronic devices are, many parents and educators still prefer the hands-on approach when it comes to teaching valuable skills to their children.

There are many examples of modern hands-on toys in our society today. These toys offer unique approaches at educating children as they tend to stick with the original concept inventors had nearly three centuries ago when toy blocks were first invented. The buckyball toy is a good example of a modern 21st century toy that builds on the original toy blocks concept and design. Buckyballs are named after Richard Buckminster Fuller, the originator of the word geodesic. Since buckyballs tend to resemble certain geodesic domes, the name is more than fitting. A good example of a geodesic dome would be Spaceship Earth located at Walt Disney World in Florida. These futuristic toys are comprised of magnets that can easily be manipulated into various shapes and sizes. Buckyball toys teach children important motor skills and assist with proper coordination and development.

The educational toy market has continued to dominate the industry and is still increasing at a very rapid rate each year. This industry alone accounts for billions of dollars spent by parents each and every year. With home schooling on a rapid increase as well, it has been speculated that this is one of the main causes for the amount spent on educational toys yearly. Whichever educational toys parents decide to buy for their children, the one certain factor which remains is that educational toys will give our children the skills they need in order to succeed in life when they are older.

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This article is intended to educate and assist parents wishing to purchase educational toys for their children. There are many types of toys available, whether a parent decides on toy blocks or buckyballs.

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