As the holiday season approaches, you might be wondering what to get for your toddler. If your child’s wish list includes gadgets with touchscreens, flashing lights, or anything that plugs in, it might be time to rethink those gift ideas. According to Dr. Rick Graebe, a pediatric specialist at the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles, Kentucky, traditional toys that encourage hands-on play are far better for a child’s development than modern electronic devices.
The Importance of Hands-On Play
“Our visual system is designed to function in a three-dimensional world,” Dr. Graebe explains. When children spend too much time focused on flat, illuminated screens, they miss out on critical developmental experiences. Instead of computer games and tablets, Dr. Graebe recommends toys that encourage physical interaction, helping children develop essential visual and motor skills.
Toys that require children to reach, touch, and manipulate objects activate the senses, allowing children to explore spatial orientation and motor skill planning. This type of play is crucial for sensory integration, a developmental process that helps children make sense of the world around them.
Why Traditional Toys Are Better
Too much screen time during early development can hinder sensory integration, Dr. Graebe warns. This process of learning how to respond to sensory input from the environment needs to be fostered through physical activity and interaction with tangible objects. That’s why toys like building blocks, bean bags, and balls are perfect for young children.
For example, a one-year-old learning to color with crayons will often draw beyond the edges of the paper as they learn to coordinate their hands and eyes. By the time the child turns three, their visual system will have developed enough to guide their hands more accurately, allowing them to color within the lines. This gradual improvement in coordination is a direct result of using traditional, hands-on toys that promote motor skills and visual development.
Recommended Toys for Development
When shopping for your child this holiday season, consider toys that encourage active play and sensory engagement. Dr. Graebe suggests the following options:
- Bean bags
- Balls of any size
- Wooden building blocks, Duplo blocks, or Lincoln Logs
- Games like jacks, pickup sticks, and Jenga
“These toys help wake up a child’s sensory system,” Dr. Graebe says. He emphasizes that children’s sensory systems need time and experience to develop properly, and the best way to support that development is through interactive play.
Classic Games: A Gift for Life
In addition to toys, Dr. Graebe also advocates for traditional childhood games like follow the leader, hopscotch, and tag. These activities are not only fun but also essential for developing coordination, balance, and social skills. “There is value in these games,” he notes. “They build a foundation that children will carry with them throughout their lives.”
Schedule a Pediatric Eye Exam Near Lexington Today
This holiday season, step away from the flashing screens and digital devices. Instead, choose toys that will actively engage your child’s senses, support their development, and foster a love for learning. Hands-on toys and traditional games are gifts that truly keep on giving, helping your child build the skills they need to navigate the world around them.
To schedule a pediatric eye exam or learn more about how we support children’s visual development, call us at 859-879-0089. Our practice, with locations in Versailles serving the greater Lexington area and Somerset, is one of the only pediatric specialty eye care centers serving Central and Southern Kentucky.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.