Tool Reviews

Designers contribute to the mental, psychological development of the baby. Regular exercises give pleasure, strengthen the motor skills of the fingers, form the basis of logical thinking, aesthetic perception of the world around. Toys are recommended to be purchased following the selection criteria.

Toy safety requirements

Objects around the baby must meet safety requirements. The quality of the designers must be confirmed by the appropriate certificates. The seller is obliged to submit the document at the request of the buyer.

Visual signs of toy safety:

• perfectly polished elements – smooth surfaces, absence of sharp “burrs”, roughness, cracks;
• no unpleasant odors – the use of high-quality raw materials, without chemical impurities, harmful inclusions;
• natural paints – when in contact with the details of clothing, hands do not get dirty;
• natural colors – shades of a natural palette are favorably reflected in the psycho-emotional state of the crumbs;
• solid bases and fasteners – exclude the possibility of accidental breakage of the part during the assembly of the designer;
• ease of connection-disconnection, reliability of fixation of knots – retain the shape of the assembled object;
• sturdy packaging with colorful label – attracts attention, retains the details of the toy for a long time.

Comfortable, light, easy to assemble, the kid will connect the construction sets on his own without outside help. Excessively thin, fragile walls can break, cause childhood injuries. The number, dimensions, methods of fastening parts determine the complexity of the designer, the variability of forms (the number of models).

materials

Manufacturers produce goods in a wide range. Sets of various thematic design come on sale. An impressive selection allows parents to buy a suitable kit for children of different ages, genders, interests. Toys are classified by various features and are intended for a wide range of consumers.

Separation by raw material:

• Wooden – environmentally friendly, durable, reliable, serve for a long time. The details are made from a single piece of wood that has undergone preliminary antiseptic treatment. They resist mechanical deformation. They belong to the high price category.
• Plastic – light, cheap, common products. Products are made of various polymeric materials (polypropylene, ethylene copolymers, polyurethane) subjected to dyeing. The availability of raw materials, ease of processing determine the low cost of goods.
• Soft – from textile materials, cardboard, foamed polymers. Lightweight, flexible parts are easy to lift, bend, crush for babies up to a year old. The cost of products is affordable, which allows parents to update the toys spoiled by the baby.
• Metal – made of non-toxic, chemically harmless metals and alloys. The parts of the kits are connected by bolts screwed into the intended holes. Nuts, screws, keys, design attributes are applied to sets. Toys stand out for their special strength, resistance to wear, and are recommended for children of a certain (preferably older) age category.
• Ceramic – durable, hard, brightly colored products. The disadvantage is susceptibility to cracking, breakage when pressed.

Types of constructors for kids

Constructors are made in various configurations – simple geometric shapes, complex compositions, intricate abstract models.

The following classification has been adopted:

• cubes – a simple option, indispensable for introducing kids to the principle of design. Available in geometric shapes of various sizes. Wood, plastic, textiles (fabric, porous sponges) are used as the manufacturing material. The faces of the figures contain educational drawings, images of animals, letters.
• insert figures – plastic, cardboard images of animals, fairy-tale heroes. Develop the concepts of volume, dimension, spatial orientation of objects.
• flexics – weightless details made of foamed polyurethane foam. Easily connected, separated by tenacious surfaces.
• block (type “Lego”) – a lot of different-sized parts, accompanied by stickers of the corresponding theme. Elements are combined, form numerous models, figures. Production material – plastic, wood. Manufacturers include building instructions for an infinite number of models (houses, castles, airplanes, cars, construction sites). Toys are produced in an assortment, of various sizes, complexity, designed for children in a wide age range.
• mosaic – cardboard, plastic, wooden puzzles. Elements are painted in different colors depending on the plot. Collecting puzzles, they get a certain picture, word, digital sequence. The toy trains memory, develops fine finger motor skills, and performs educational functions.
• 3D constructor – refers to a complicated mosaic. Puzzles are assembled into a spatially oriented (volumetric) figure. It differs from a simple mosaic in the realism of the final product, aimed at the development of abstract thinking. The only drawback is that one figure (model) is assembled, limits
  fantasizing.

• contour, magnetic – thin sticks made of plastic, the ends are equipped with metal balls, magnetic nozzles. Flexible parts allow you to create the contours of structures, buildings, equipment, animals. During the game, the imagination actively develops, fantastic ideas are created, the “skeletons” of objects are assembled from memory.
• tubular – thin hollow tubes made of sheet metal, plastic. They are folded into labyrinths, figurines, grooves for balls, turrets, cars.
• building kits – miniature copies of real bricks, blocks. They are completed with trowels, “sand”, “mortars”, close to genuine building materials. Simulate the process of building buildings, bridges, towers. The finished model takes its original form by immersion in water.
• electronic – multifunctional, multicomponent, expensive toys for children of senior preschool, school age. The kits are equipped with miniature diodes, microcircuits, resistors. The parts are assembled into a switch, a lighting fixture or a radio-controlled car.

Age features

The key role is played by an individual approach. After all, the manufacturer’s notes on the age limit are advisory in nature. Following the instructions allows you to interest the baby and prevent childhood injuries.

Babies under 1 year old

Children 2-3 months old enter the period of acquaintance with the outside world, and soft cubes and play mats stimulate the cognitive process. Light toys will introduce kids to the signs of objects – color, geometric shape, size. 1-2 large cubes will save the fragile psyche of the child. Soft shades of red, blue, yellow and green are preferred – the first in the color perception of children of the younger age group.

Children 4-6 months old are introduced into the game world with cubes made of wood and plastic. Objects contribute to the development of tactile sensations – the child will feel the difference in weight, the nature of the surface relief. Toddlers begin to show interest in the surrounding people, animals, environment. Cubes with images broaden your horizons and enrich your vocabulary.

The age of 6-7 months is the time to get acquainted with the figurines-inserts, which give an idea of ​​the spatial orientation, dimensions of objects.

Choosing a toy for children 1-3 years old

Inquisitive, active kids who have reached the age of one will need constructors with a small number (no more than 10 pieces) of large (at least 5-10 cm) details. It is easy to build houses, bridges, pyramids, turrets from them. The kid plays on his own or under the supervision of his parents. Overall details in the form of bars, cubes, cones, triangles are difficult to swallow.

Gradually introduce the complicated sets:

• block – from 1.5 years;
• thematic (farm, castle, station) – from two years;
• floor – with large elements (20-30 cm).

The number of parts increases – up to 20 pieces of various shapes and sizes. In the assembly process, kids easily master the concepts of geometric shapes, dimensions, height, width. Complex schemes will cause bewilderment, interest in toys will dry up.

Features of choice for kids 3-5 years old

Children already have a certain vocabulary, are prone to role-playing games. The development of the child is supported at the proper level by designers with numerous elements – up to 100 or more pieces. Small sets focused on gender differences are welcome – girls, boys.

When choosing a suitable kit, it is recommended to pay attention to the following factors:

• variability – from one set you can assemble a large number of different models, the ability to design and implement your ideas develops;
• lack of a template – avoid toys that allow you to assemble one standard figure;
• multifunctionality – designing objects of different subjects (buildings, animals, cars);
• various ways of fastening parts – puzzle, bolt, screw, contributing to the development of thinking, logic;
• many different tools and elements – nuts, keys, screws, screws, hammers. During the game, the baby acquires skills, identifies himself with adults.

Children play consciously and are able to invent their own stories with the help of thematic constructors. Sets allow you to build mega cities, shops, urban areas, car parks, cartoon environments. Collective games form the skills of communication with adults, the opposite sex, orientation in an unfamiliar environment.

What to buy for children 5-7 years old

Constructors marked “5-7” are characterized by an exceptional variety of plots and details in the set. Princesses, castles – for girls, radio-controlled cars, dinosaurs, transformers – for boys. Designing is combined with inventing fairy-tale scenarios and storylines.

Children are attracted by the process of creative design – the ability to make, invent original structures, combine details. The child is able to independently assemble different versions of the same model. Sets with numerous puzzles of the same type (up to 300 pieces or more) stimulate the creative process.

Toys with characters contribute to the formation of fine motor skills, spatial and logical thinking, stimulate the development of mental activity. Consistently selected designers allow you to intellectually, psychologically prepare the baby for the school period.

Selection principles

The above defines the key principles for choosing a constructor:

• safety priority;
• age orientation;
• gradual increase in the number of parts;
• sequential complication – from the construction of objects to role-playing plots;
• variety of forms, models;
• personal interests of children.

Each age corresponds to a certain type of constructor. Parents are encouraged to follow the growing needs of the baby.

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