you are shopping this year, please do not be fooled by claims that computer games, video programs or electronic toys will make your child smarter. While children can learn to memorize things and respond to simple commands given in these games, this is not the most effective way to learn. In fact, recently the creators of Baby Einstein have offered a refund to people who purchased their videos and DVDs, because the inaccurately claimed that their videos were educational for infants, which has never been proven.

What preschool children need to succeed is interaction with caring adults and plenty of time to explore their surroundings. They need to PLAY (on their terms) all the time. They need toys over which THEY have control and that have a variety of outcomes (not toys where one answer is the right one). They need to be read to. They need to use language and have people show interest in them.

In simple terms...the more the toy does for the child, the more it flashes and makes noise, the LESS the child learns by playing it.

http://www.truceteachers.org/infant_toddler.html
and/or http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/holidayguide/home.htm

Happy Holidays ~ Donna