Do “educational toys” actually deliver what they promise? A psychologist
slices through the hype and offers words of wisdom for the discerning
parent.
In the present economy, the educational toys category is one of the few
growth areas of the toy industry. I predict an even greater scramble to
parade, perhaps even exaggerate, the educational benefits of toys in the
marketplace as each vendor vies for a larger share of this hot category.
Retailers are challenged to sift through the claims and “edu-speak” and
select items that have both kid appeal and real benefit. A key selling
point for an educational toy is its ability to offer a broad spectrum
of benefits, maximizing purchase opportunities and minimizing the likelihood
that only a few of a child’s skills are really being developed.
The truth is that all experiences
develop the brain.
The growth of the educational toy market can be traced to parents’ belief
that they need to supplement school-based learning -- particularly in
light of the rapidly evolving job marketplace -- and that toys can have
at least a moderate impact on learning. These two beliefs correspond to
two basic types of educational toys: “curriculum,” or
content-based, and “cognitive,” or skill-based.
Evaluating Curriculum-Based Toys
These types of toys are designed to increase a student’s knowledge in
a subject, such as science or history, and they are easier to evaluate
than cognitive learning toys. Evaluation factors include:
Breadth, depth and clear statement of knowledge to be gained, taking
into consideration the target age group. Shallow or narrow content products
will tend to have limited re-playability or a very narrow audience.
Exercise caution when marketing terminology is vague, such as “builds
knowledge and interest.” Such wording may have some immediate appeal,
but close examination will show that evaluating a product on this basis
would be difficult or fruitless.
Building knowledge of “how” and “why” versus presentation of facts
and concepts. Generally, understanding the “hows and whys” helps learning
facts and ideas.
Evaluating Cognitive-Based Toys
Playtime, and therefore any toy a child engages with during playtime,
does affect the brain. Years of research have shown that experience creates
structure in the developing brain. Specific types of experiences stimulate
various areas of the brain, which, in turn correspond to both physical
and mental activities. Research supports the idea that interactive toys
can especially contribute to cognitive skills.
Toys that boast cognitive benefits should be even more popular in the
next five years as more media attention is focused on the relationship
between the brain and academic success. Bear in mind, however, that almost
any toy can be described in terms that imply wide-ranging benefits. It
is important to read carefully and differentiate the real from the presumed
and the vague from the specific.
Cognitive-based learning toys require more time to evaluate, since many
of the claims are too vague to be proved or disproved -- or even understood.
Evaluation factors include:
Description of very specific skills to be developed. “Improves learning,”
for example, is too vague to allow serious evaluation. “Makes children
smarter,” another claim used in the industry, is also hazy. To a parent,
the statement may mean that a child’s intelligence, as measured by tests,
will increase as a direct result of playing with the toy. To an educator,
the statement may mean that knowledge of content or curriculum is increased.
To the developer, it may mean that the toy increases the number or depth
of skills. Such statements should be defined in more detail. “Enhances
cognitive development” sounds technical, but is really too general to
be useful. The truth is that all experiences develop the brain. The
key to selecting cognitive educational toys is to develop a number of
different skills that are ultimately used in complex ways later in life.
Availability of research data obtained by the vendor. Ideally, the
vendor should be willing to provide data to substantiate claims. Research
should be of two types:
1. Articles and studies that support the approach taken
by the product developer 2. Research that involves the product. Statements such
as “helps in developing vocabulary” can and should be backed up by studies
involving the product.
Almost any toy can be described in terms that
imply wide-ranging benefits. It is important to read carefully and
differentiate the real from the presumed, and the vague from the specific.
Red Flags
The Internet provides a wealth of opportunity to gain information about
a product. Unfortunately, the quality and validity of information can
be severely lacking. Companies cannot control all of the information about
their product, but they should not create disinformation, either. When
reading product reviews, ensure that reviewers are independent or recognized
by the industry or by relevant professional associations.
There’s No Substitute for Expertise
The informed buyer is more skilled and therefore more successful than
those less informed. With today’s emphasis on learning, it’s not enough
to rely on past trends to predict future ones. In order to become an astute
evaluator of toys’ educational benefits, it will become increasingly necessary
to stay current with emerging knowledge about learning and the brain.
Writer's Bio: Dr. Hardwicke is a
psychologist specializing in measurement and assessment. One of the pioneers
in online educational testing, Dr. Hardwicke has also founded kSERO Corporation,
Inc. to develop the human capacity to learn. Metanon: The Biocode Adventure™
is the company’s first product launch.
