Unexpected Educational Gift Ideas for Curious Kids
Kids have minds like sponges and are usually curious about absolutely anything and everything in the world around them. Life is so new to young children that they can find joy in the simplest of things. Every parent knows that it is their job to fill their minds with good things when they are young, giving them all the skills and knowledge they will need to become well rounded, happy and successful individuals in later life.
The things you do and say around your kids, and the kind of enrichment they receive in their early years can have a strong effect on their development. They are primed to learn at this age and they are able to take in and process lots of information on a daily basis. Whether a child is old enough to start school or not, parents can give their children additional resources that can be very enriching.
If you are looking for educational gifts for a curious child then you will be spoiled for choice. These days there are scientifically proven approaches to early years education and they can be implemented at home from birth onwards. The key is to choose the right educational toys and resources for the age of the child so they can actually grasp the concepts being taught to them.
Educational toys for babies
Babies understand more than we tend to give them credit for, though there are key concepts like object permanence that take time to develop. Every child will develop these skills at their own pace but they tend to follow a similar pattern. With babies the key is to introduce them to different colours, sounds and textures to stimulate their minds. Soft toys that make sounds and have different colours and textures on them are always a good idea and will keep them occupied between those all important naps.
Educational toys for preschool children
At this age, a child will have their own personality and will likely have been talking for a while. They are very curious about the world around them and are very open to learning. Musical toys are great for kids at this age, from a personalised whistle to a miniature drum set, musical toys help them to develop a sense of rhythm and timing, and help them build confidence and creativity.
Educational toys for KS1 kids
Kids who are in the first years of school will have well developed interests that you should encourage. They may be really interested in space, dinosaurs, planes, dancing, singing, or any other kind of special interest. The best gifts for kids at this age are ones that relate to their special interests and allow them to explore and educate themselves even more on the topics they find the most interesting. For a creative, curious kid this might be art supplies, a dance mat, an educational game relating to their interests, or illustrated books about their interests.
Educational toys for KS2 kids
This is the age where children need to start preparing for the next stage of their lives in high school. This can be a stressful, uncertain time for many kids so you should look at educational gifts that are designed to build on their confidence and sense of self, as well as giving them the opportunity to practise their social skills in a safe, judgement free way. Gifts for kids at this age can be things with a social aspect like dance lessons, or enriching experiences that make them feel confident like an adventure day.
Educational gifts for high school age children
The older kids get the more they are interested in and influenced by the world around them. They feel a need to be connected and will likely do a lot of maturing over the years they spend in high school. A laptop is a really good gift for a kid in high school because it can be used for social purposes, can be used for educational purposes like doing research and completing homework, and can be used to enrich their creative side through things like video or image editing, graphic design, coding, and any number of interests they may want to pursue in addition to their school work.