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.