Should your children watch TV

   I am a mom to a 4 year old, 2 year old, and 6 month old, so do I let my children watch TV? The answer is yes, yes, yes. I try very hard to limit their TV time to no more than 1 hour a day, some days it is a little more and some days we don't turn on the TV at all. It all depends on how tired I am on each specific day, sad but true. One thing I have noticed is the behavior of my children, especially my 4 year old. He is the most happy, easy going, lovable little guy by nature but I have come to the conclusion that on the days he watches more TV, especially when he first wakes up, he is a little grumpy and does not mind as well.
   We love to play games together, active games, board games, interactive games. We love to have dance parties, exercise, ride bikes, eat donuts, color, read, make-believe, tell adventure stories, go to the beach, go on hikes, and just be together as a family. I have noticed on the nights where we gather together and play a game together the night just goes more smoothly. Everyone gets along and seems in better spirits and the kids don't run crazy all night.
   I wanted to see what the 'experts' say the results of too much TV is on young children. I read an article on KidsHealth.Org, it says there are advantages for watching TV, if it is the right kind of programming, it can teach them many valuable things. For instance, when my oldest child was 2 years old he randomly counted to 5 in Spanish and I was so impressed, it is something he learned from watching Diego. There are many great educational shows for our kids, there are also some shows that are too violent, too eccentric, and just too much for their little minds to process.
 
 The article states:
"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under 2 years old not watch any TV and that those older than 2 watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming.
The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development.
As kids get older, too much screen time can interfere with activities such as being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family.
Of course, TV in moderation can be a good thing: Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on public television, grade schoolers can learn about wildlife on nature shows, and parents can keep up with current events on the evening news. No doubt about it — TV can be an excellent educator and entertainer.

But despite its advantages, too much television can be detrimental:

• Children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight.
• Kids who view violent acts are more likely to show aggressive behavior but also fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.
• TV characters often depict risky behaviors, such as smoking and drinking, and also reinforce gender-role and racial stereotypes.

Children's advocates are divided when it comes to solutions. Although many urge for more hours per week of educational programming, others assert that zero TV is the best solution. And some say it's better for parents to control the use of TV and to teach kids that it's for occasional entertainment, not for constant escapism.

That's why it's so important for you to monitor the content of TV programming and set viewing limits to ensure that your kids don't spend too much time parked in front of the TV."

There is good evidence that too much TV can cause many problems that could otherwise be avoided. I will try harder to keep the TV off as much as possible, keeping it for those days that I don't get any sleep the night before (wink, wink). Playing games, coloring, reading: those are all better activities anyway.

Educational Toy Study

Our passion at GoKazaam is children and their future in this ever evolving world. It is our priority to provide parents with the opportunity to obtain the correct educational toys for their children and in turn, have their children learn and develop in ways they might not if they weren't provided the right tools at their crucial developmental period. 

I came across this Timpani Toys Study done last year and found it very interesting. I'd like to share it here for you to see what might be the best for your children. We can recommend an array of perfect toys for your little ones but since play interests vary across cultures and individual families we give you the keys to determine what will help your child soar. Here are a few examples of types of toys and their benefits.

1-Puzzles help with imaginative play. Children spend more time figuring things out, making different scenarios, helping them with patience and understanding. 

2-Toys like Dr kits help children interact with each other. Since it allows multiple children to participate which develops pretend play and that is very important for social competence. 

3-If you put a blank easel in front of a child and tell them to paint and create something, they will end with something they originally didn't think was possible. Mixing colors is like a little science experiment for them. 

4-Little metal cars are great for verbalization skills and creating different scenarios. Playing with little cars helps with social and language development. In the study they found they inspire a higher quality of play for girls then for boys. So, try to set aside previous conceptions about what inspires male and female play and objectively observe toy effects to be sure boys and girls equally benefit from play materials.

"Different toys elicit different kinds of play for different children. So observe what your children do with toys to see which connects to their particular style of play."

Video and information above was found on http://www1.easternct.edu/cece/timpani-toy-study-2014/.
Eastern Connecticut State University-Center for Early Childhood Education. Great site to research a little more in-depth.

Why Educational Toys Make a Difference

I just read a great article proving the benefit of our desire to get our great educational toys in your hands, and the hands of your children. I really want to share this with you so you can see how beneficial it is to get the right kind of toys for your family. (Link to the article at the bottom.)

"A child educational toy? Why this big fuss nowadays?

Let me tell you a story. A true story.

Once upon a time there was a group of babies aged 7 to 30 months. As part of a scientific experiment the group was split into 2 smaller ones.

One group was stimulated and encouraged by child educational toys and other wonderful, exciting experiences. The other group didn't receive any.

Now, here's the important result...

The group receiving stimulation eventually increased IQ by up to an unbelievable 58 points. In contract, the group that wasn't encouraged and stimulated actually decreased IQ between 8 and 45 points!

Even more amazing... this advantage was permanent. Children indefinitely kept this advantage. Even 21 years later when their performances were again studied.

Now, granted this increase wasn't only the result of playing with educational toys. But, educational toys, together with baby stimulation activities and experiences got the results.

Was this result a fluke?

No!

Many other studies also confirmed the critical importance of early learning experiences. These studies again stressed that early learning experiences increase intelligence!

Now, this is exactly where right child educational toys boost child abilities, skills and performance. Real educational toys are developed to encourage specific skills and actions. And these skills are needed for optimal development.

In short... educational toys can boost skills just as they've been proven to increase intelligence!

Frankly, educational toys can help you unlock your child's full potential.

But the great rub is... your child actually enjoys learning!

By now you must get some idea of the potential educational toys hold. Trouble is…

You and I both know that there cannot be an absolute guarantee that playing with educational toys alone will definitely make your child super-bright and super-talented. That's just not realistic. If it was that easy we'd all be playing!

But... let's look at what IS guaranteed…

  Chances of becoming very talented are dramatically increased

  Stimulation by educational toys isn't harmful. So... your child can only win!

  The mind-blowing results last a lifetime, and...

  Your child can't forget the improvement somewhere... or loose it. And no-one can steal it - EVER!

So... let's get straight to what matters most.

You can made a huge difference in your child's potential and skills. But, know that you need to do it before aged 12 years. While the biggest chance of improvement is before 6 years.

So, the earlier you start the better chance you'll have of a dramatic improvement.

Finally, know that you have limited time to boost your child's skills and potential. And know that a child educational toy is proven to do it. So, start by studying the educational toy articles and suggested kid toys for each age group."

Our current favorite educational toys are:

Wooden Blocks

Your children will spend hours playing and building towns and buildings with these adorable blocks. 

Natural wooden blocks-painted and printed by hand. 

75 wooden blocks come in a cardboard barrel for safe keeping.

Ages 2+

Flashcards

Get your children ready for their school years by practicing with these 50 double-sided flashcards. These will help them develop their math and number skills early on. 

Ages 3+

For your tiny ones, this is an on-going favorite (for generations). Stimulate their brain as they are developing and just taking everything in. Have you ever watched a baby look at and learn about her surroundings? It leaves me in awe every time, they are so enthralled by everything and are learning and grasping so much.

1st Sound Baby TV

We love classic toys, and this one is a must have for your little one. This baby TV comes with pre-recorded melodies and a handle so they can carry it around. It has a knob to scroll the image on the TV.

2AA batteries included. Ages 6 months+

These are just a few of our favorite toys right now, we are actively adding to our site so go visit our store and find something that fits the needs of your children. Thank you for stopping by and we'll see you soon.

Visit the link below to find out more on how educational toys can positively affect your children.

http://www.educational-toy-guide.com/childeducationaltoy.html

Our First Featured Item

We are so excited to announce that we are going to start featuring one product a week that you can get an awesome deal on. This week we are featuring our 'First Knitter'. We think this is the perfect first featured item. Since school is out and your children will want (and need) things to do to keep them occupied. Why not teach them a new talent/hobby this summer. We only have a limited number to sell at the discounted rate, so don't waste any time. It will be listed under Featured Item First Knitter.

I googled "How to teach your child to knit" and a lot of blogs and sites suggested using this type of "knitting knobby". They suggest this because if children start with this method, it will teach them to practice working with yarn and help with dexterity that will be helpful when handling the knitting needles. The age suggestions for this product are 6 and up, but with help, younger children should be okay as well.

***More exciting news...we are giving away one for FREE. We are calling this our weekly FRIDAY FREEDAY. To enter to win, check out our facebook page and share this post. If you are on Instagram, just tag 3 friends in the comments section below today's post. We will do the drawing tomorrow 6/15 at noon Pacific Time. So help us spread the word about our great products and cross your fingers that you'll be the lucky winner!

How to choose the best toy for your child

I thought this was a great article by the ZERO TO THREE organization for everyone to read. We all are close to a child, either our own, a niece or nephew, or even just a friend's child. These tips are great to keep in mind as you're picking out a gift for the lucky boy or girl. 

We offer so many great toys that are suggested in this article. Below are our top picks to coincide with this Zero To Three article. You can click on the name of the toy for a direct link to that specific toy on our website.

"Tips for Choosing Toys for Toddlers

Toddlers are little explorers who learn by doing. Play gives your child a great opportunity to develop and practice new skills at her own pace by following her unique interests. The toys and playthings your child has available to her can shape her development in important ways.

While it may seem like choosing toys for toddlers should be easy, as you walk into a toy store today, the only thing that's easy is feeling overwhelmed. There is a huge array of toys that have been developed for the toddler market. How do you choose which are right for your child? How can you tell which are high quality and which will last? Which will engage your child's interest for more than a few days or weeks? Below are some ideas for choosing toys that will grow with your child, challenge her, and nurture her overall development (her thinking, physical, language and social-emotional skills).

Guidelines for Choosing Toys for Toddlers

• Choose toys that can be used in a variety of ways. Toddlers love to take apart, put back together, pull out, put in, add on, and build up. Choose toys that are "open-ended" in the sense that your child can play many different games with them. For example, wooden blocks or chunky plastic interlocking blocks can be used to make a road, a zoo, a bridge or a spaceship. Toys like this spark your child's imagination and help him develop problem-solving and logical thinking skills.
  
  Examples: Blocks, interlocking blocks, nesting blocks or cups, and toys for sand and water play. *Deluxe Sand and Water Wheel Set $24.99

            *Stacking cups by Green Toys $10.79

• Look for toys that will grow with your child. We all have had the experience of buying a toy that our child plays with for two days and never touches again. You can guard against that by looking for toys that can be fun at different developmental stages. For example, small plastic animals are fun for a young toddler who may make a shoebox house for them, while an older toddler can use them to act out a story she makes up.  
• Examples: Plastic toy animals and action figures, toddler-friendly dollhouses, trains and dump trucks (and other vehicles), stuffed animals and dolls.
•   *Superman Bendable Figure $7.39

*Tractor by Green Toys $19.79

• Select toys that encourage exploration and problem-solving. Play gives children the chance to practice new skills over and over again. Toys that give kids a chance to figure something out on their own—or with a little coaching—build their logical thinking skills and help them become persistent problem-solvers. They also help children develop spatial relations skills (understanding how things fit together), hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills (using the small muscles in the hands and fingers).
  
  Examples: Puzzles, shape-sorters, blocks, nesting blocks or cups, art materials like clay, paint, crayons or play-dough.

 *Pirate Shapes $20.49

*Playfoam 8 pack $8.39

• Look for toys that spark your child's imagination. During your child's third year, her creativity is really taking off as she is now able to take on the role of someone else (like a king) and imagine that something (like a block) is actually something else (like a piece of cake). Look for toys that your child can use as he develops and acts out stories. Pretend play builds language and literacy skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to sequence (put events in a logical order).
• 
  Examples: Dress-up clothing, blocks, toy food and plastic plates, action figures, stuffed animals and dolls, trains and trucks, toddler-friendly dollhouses, toy tools, and "real-life" accessories such as a wrapping paper tube "fire hose" for your little fire fighter. The all-purpose large cardboard box is always a big hit for toddlers and is free. (Call an appliance store about picking up one of their refrigerator boxes). Boxes become houses, pirate ships, barns, tunnels—anything your child's imagination can come up with!

*Learn to Dress Monkey $33.79

*Kitchen Play Toy Set $38.49

• Give your child the chance to play with "real" stuff—or toys that look like the real thing. Your toddler is getting good at figuring out how objects in her world work—like television remotes or light switches. She is also interested in playing with your "real" stuff, like your cell phone, because she is eager to be big and capable like you. Toys like this help children problem-solve, learn spatial relations (how things fit together), and develop fine motor skills (use of the small muscles in the hands and fingers).
  
  Examples: Plastic dishes and food, toy keys, toy phone, dress-up clothes, musical instruments, child-size brooms, mops, brushes and dustpans.

 *My Cell Phone $12.49

 *Electronic Keyboard with Microphone $39.99

• Toss in some "getting ready to read" toys. Books, magnetic alphabet letters, and art supplies like markers, crayons, and fingerpaints help your child develop early writing and reading skills. "Real-life" props like take-out menus, catalogs or magazines are fun for your child to look at and play with and also build her familiarity with letters, text, and print.

• Seek out toys that encourage your child to be active. Toddlers are doing all kinds of physical tricks as they are stronger and more confident with their bodies. Your job is to be an appreciative audience for your little one's newest playground achievement! Look for toys that help your child practice current physical skills and develop new ones.
  
  Examples: Balls of different shapes and sizes, tricycles or three-wheeled scooters (with appropriate protective gear), plastic bowling sets, child-size basketball hoop, pull-toys (e.g., toys that your child can pull on a string), wagon to fill and pull, gardening tools to dig and rake with, moving boxes (open at both ends) to make tunnels to crawl through.

*Ladybug Garden Tote $16.29

 

*My Pet Caterpillar $17.89

• Look for toys that nurture cross-generational play. While adults and children can play almost anything together, there are some toys that are designed for adult participation. As your child approaches age 3 and beyond, early board games—that involve using one's memory or simple board games that do not require reading—are fun for all ages to play. Consider starting a "family game night" when all of you play together. Board games encourage counting, matching and memory skills, as well as listening skills and self-control (as children learn to follow the rules). They also nurture language and relationship-building skills. Another important benefit is teaching children to be gracious winners and how to cope with losing."

 *Monster Bingo $20.49                                                      

Head over to our website to find your favorite educational toys for your favorite little ones!
http://www.gokazaam.com/

**Here is the link to the actual article: 

http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/play/tips-for-choosing-toys-for.html

Stimulate Learning Through Playtime

At GoKazaam.com we completely believe that playtime is important.  Our toddler toys, baby toys, unique gifts, science experiments for kids, and other educational products are hand picked to stimulate learning.  We continue to find quality products that are sensory developing for children.  Check back often to see our new products.  

Stimulating learning for a lifetime begins very early in life.  Playtime with your baby and toddler through parent interaction and learning toys has been proven as positive learning reinforcement.  It's time to get down on their level and play.  Parent and child playtime helps your child see you on a different level, literally, their level.  Playtime with your child promotes social skills, cognitive development, emotional stability, and self esteem.  If you want to learn more about how children learn and develop, or about the positive effects of play check out the Official Journal of the American Pediatrics.  Or click this link http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/1/e204.full to learn about positive play.