A toy at Christmas
Claims that around £20bn of electronic toys bought last Christmas are now fast approaching their demise perhaps comes as a shock. Nothing to do with flat batteries; interest in the toys is waning and unless the functionality can be upgraded the spent carcass is already destined for the cupboard, loft or recycling.
A better objective involves the purchase of a “toy” with sufficient depth to stimulate the enquiring mind over a longer period, and link in with the schooling process. Technology has lent a hand to produce teaching aids designed to support the national curriculum that hold a child’s interest longer and develops confidence at school. Sounds banal perhaps, but developments in technology over the past 5 years has resulted in a huge range of interactive resources that stimulate whilst inducing learning. The keen 2 learn byline of “Learning in Disguise” reflects the desired outcome. Progression through the eight levels of the five key stages of the curriculum can be reinforced in a hugely enjoyable way at home. Programmable robots, microscopes linked to PC monitors, interactive DVD’s even experiments in DNA profiling add up to an opportunity to excel at school and build a structured interest that could become a career objective.
