Home > Resources for our Science Kits > Articles on Science Learning and Science Kits > ... And the Winner Is--How Toys Become Award Winners
... And the Winner Is--How Toys Become Award Winners
© Copyright DiscoverThisAs the holidays approach, we're bombarded with lists of "hot," "must-have" and "award-winning" toys for the children on our lists. But where do all those lists come from, what do they mean, and how can we as consumers wade through the information available to find what truly are the best toys?
We were as curious as you are about all these lists of award winners, so we spoke with a few experts to find out (1) how they evaluate toys, and (2) how we as parents can evaluate them ourselves.
Who Tests the Toys?
The first thing to ask when you see a list of "great" holiday toys is, "Who created this list? What might motivate them to recommend certain products?" According to Claire Green, president of the Parents' Choice Foundation, it's important to do a little homework before putting stock in recommendations. Find out how long the evaluating organization has been around and what types of products they evaluate. Look for organizations that focus on children's media and toys, she says, rather than those who seem to evaluate everything under the sun. Many parenting magazines publish worthwhile lists, but it's probably best to take the recommendations of manufacturers and retailers with a proverbial grain of salt.
Two of our favorite toy reviewers, the Parents' Choice Foundation and Dr. Toy, a.k.a. Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., use different methods to evaluate quality children's toys and media, but both focus on encouraging children to enjoy learning. Here, in a nutshell, is how they do it:
Parents' Choice: Before the Parents' Choice Foundation deems a product worthy of one of their awards, they put the toy through its paces in a variety of settings. "We do a first pass in our office to make sure what is sent here is appropriate for us to evaluate," says Green. After eliminating products that violate the foundation's values -- toys with violent themes such as guns, for example -- they determine which family testers will be most appropriate to evaluate each product. Green won't disclose how families are chosen as reviewers, only that they have to prove their ability to evaluate toys thoughtfully and critically on a number of levels. "They're looking at the appeal for kids," she says, "but they're also really scrutinizing the directions, the instruction manual, and other aspects of each product." In addition to family testers, Parents' Choice relies on toy and game developers, scientists, educators, librarians and other experts to assess toys, games and children's media. "People think we have so much fun playing with toys all day," says Green. "Well, we do, but we take it very seriously."
Dr. Toy: With degrees in Child Development and Child Psychology, Auerbach takes a different approach to evaluation. She does it herself. "I have been a classroom teacher and have observed over 50,000 children at play (in various settings)," she says. "I know what to look for when I evaluate a product." Auerbach is often called upon to serve as an expert on panels evaluating toys for other outlets including national magazines.
What Are They Looking For?
The criteria used to determine award-winning toys, games and children's media remain constant, say the experts, whether they're evaluating a set of blocks for preschoolers or a complex interactive media game for teens. You can use these same criteria when you evaluate purchases for your own children.
Packaging: Parents' Choice starts with the obvious, says Green. "What's on the box? Is it what's in the package? If it says 'All you need to create a patchwork quilt', for example, then is it inside the box?"
Age Appropriateness: No matter how intelligent your child may be, says Green, age recommendations are provided for a reason. "You don't want to give a very complicated toy to a very young child' she says. Similarly, you don't want to give an older child a toy that won't challenge and/or engage him. Furthermore, if a game's looks appeal to younger children but the strategy requires complex thought appropriate for older children, she notes, it won't appeal to either age group. Those toys won't receive the Parents' Choice seal of approval.
Safety: Experts are diligent in weeding out toys that pose potential hazards for the recommended age groups. For more information about toy safety, read Toy Safety: What Parents Need to Know.
Versatility: When compiling their annual list of exceptional toys, The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) looks for open-ended toys that encourage creativity. "Directions to play a game are one thing," agrees Green, "but you don't want to tell a child there are only three ways to play with this toy." A talking doll might have a vocabulary of 100 words, she notes, but a doll without an electronic voice can say anything a child imagines.
Educational Content: Education comes in many shapes and sizes. NAGC recommends toys that "offer learning opportunities that are challenging and spontaneous," while Auerbach seeks out products that offer practice in skill-building, eye-hand coordination, fine and large motor skills, communication, and more. "Does it educate the child about the environment?" Auerbach adds, "The community? The world? History? Computers? Other skills?"
Looking beyond the academic, Auerbach asks what values a toy or game will teach. "Does it expand positive self-esteem, understanding and cultural awareness?" she asks. And what about promoting healthy family bonding? NAGC gives a nod to toys that foster engaging family time and interaction between parents and children.
Affordability and Value: Finally, the experts ask, is the product affordable? Is it a good value for the money?" You don't have to break the bank or "fill a play room floor to ceiling to provide good opportunities for play," says Green. Don't overlook the old standbys, including crayons, paper, balls and blocks, which promote open-ended, creative play on a budget, she adds, but at the same time, don't reject newer toys and technologies simply because they're new. "There is always a balance," Green says. "Kids shift seamlessly between the tech toys and the non-tech toys but they do have to be age appropriate. It needs to make sense within the child's world."
The Bottom Line
With so many products on the market these days, each claiming to be a "must have" for your child, parents need to be as critical in evaluating each product as the experts. "You want to find toys and products that offer an opportunity to think, to practice, or to try something new and beneficial," says Auerbach. "Some products are perfect for playing games; others are just right for activities such as construction projects, arts and crafts, puzzles, or a family hobby." Just remember, you are the expert when it comes to what's right for your child. Trust your instincts, and above all, focus on good old fashioned family fun!
For more information and product reviews, visit the Parents' Choice Foundation, Dr. Toy, and ToySoup.com.
Home > Resources for our Science Kits > Articles on Science Learning and Science Kits > ... And the Winner Is--How Toys Become Award Winners
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