February 23, 2012

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Top 4 Toys That are Beneficial for Your Kids’ Mental Growth

Lego Bricks

Image by bdesham via Flickr

Toy stores are packed with thousands of brightly colored children’s toys, each promising to educate and entertain. However, some toys have been studied and proven to improve the cognitive growth of children.

The #4 toy that improves a child’s mental capacity is a musical toy meant for children under 12 months old. A baby learns about its surroundings by learning to use its senses, so hearing the noise and associating it with a specific item can help it to process other sounds it will hear in the future.

The #3 toy on the list is a pushing or riding toy for a toddler. This helps build independence, as the child is able to explore the surroundings and learn about the world in which he or she lives.

Toy #2 is a book featuring brightly colored pictures and large text. Many children who enjoy reading can trace this hobby back to their childhood interests and experience at home with books, and those who enjoy reading typically excel more in school.

The #1 top toy for improving the mental capacity of children is a building set, such as connecting blocks or other similar items. This improves hand-eye coordination and allows children to build items and feel accomplished.

When seeking out a good toy store to buy educational toys, Canada 411 can be very useful. The site offers a quick web search to find local stores. Consumers who choose educational toys will to help improve the intellectual capacity of their children, which is a great way to prepare them for the classroom.

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4 Ways for Single Moms to Afford Child Care

Many single moms struggle to afford everything they need to raise a child. If you are among them and want to find a way to afford child care, you should consider your options. There are more than you might think.

One option is getting state aid. You may be leery of applying in case you do not qualify, but most single mothers are eligible to get at least some form of help. You can usually get food stamps or at least WIC to help you pay for food, which would free up some money to pay for child care. Sometimes you can even get a voucher that offers you a certain amount of money every month to pay for daycare.

You can also try to find a job that offers child care. Admittedly, these are few and far between, but more companies are becoming parent-friendly and include free or cheap daycare to attract quality employees. If you go to school, you can look for this same feature since some schools now offer affordable or free child care.

Another option is finding cheap daycare, such as a mother who watches her own kids already and would just like to make a little extra money from home. You may have friends who offer this benefit for a much lower price than others would, so ask around. In fact, you may even be able to trade services, such as cleaning a house for free daycare.

If you prefer to rely only on yourself, you can always get a payday advance. This is best when you will have the money for daycare next week, but need it now to pay your share. This may be the only way to keep your child in daycare when you are low on funds, so consider it.

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Interpreting Your Daughter’s Wish List

Your daughter’s wish list may include everything from the best dollhouses to the most elaborate children’s books. If she’s old enough to write, she might present her list in written form or simply call out what she wants while you’re driving in the car or tucking her into bed. Satisfying your child’s needs requires understanding her wishes and choosing the best toys and gifts for her development.

Understanding the Wish List

The first thing to do is interpret what your daughter really wants. She may see another child with a Barbie doll and want one just to fit in. This may be a passing wish or a desire that stays with her. When the desire is strong, she’ll likely state her wish repeatedly. Satisfying her wish on a special occasion by giving her a cherished doll and one of the best dollhouses will surely result in a gratitude-filled smile or hug.

Making Balanced Choices

When it comes to fulfilling children’s wishes, parents must often weigh a few factors. Giving a child everything she wants may not necessarily be good for her. For example, one slice of chocolate cake is harmless, but eating half a cake will likely cause a stomach-ache.

The act of discerning wishes and satisfying them can be useful for all involved. Children learn the art and joy of gift giving by receiving gifts. They feel overjoyed to receive their favorite items and learn to make others happy in the same way as they mature. Additionally, whether playing house or learning how to play a computer game, children can have a multitude of learning opportunities from these gifts.

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