“Toys that do too much don’t allow a child to use their own imagination. Dolls and stuffed animals that talk or sing or direct kids to press certain buttons essentially take charge of the play situation when the child should be the one directing the action. “When a toy is too specific, it’s limiting and it denies the child the ability to use her imagination,” says Panaccione. “The best toys are often the simplest ones — like blocks — because they allow children to be creative and spontaneous.”  We live in an electronic age, and any parent who thinks they can keep their child — even a toddler away from computers and the like forever is kidding themselves. But for young kids, especially, it’s crucial to set limits. Research has suggested that electronic toys pose several possible dangers for children’s health and development, including hearing loss (from loud toys), weight gain (from being inactive while playing), and language and developmental delays. One recent study at Temple University showed that toys that don’t require a child to do anything but watch promote a passive learning style, which can interfere with learning to think independently.”

Grow by Web M.D.