Research shows play toys stimulate child development in a number of important ways. From birth, kids learn to interact with their environment by touching and feeling. This learning process continues in the early years as kids learn from hands-on interaction with play toys. As child development takes place rapidly during the early years, parents should provide kids with the kinds of play toys that will promote development of cognitive, social and emotional skills.
Play toys also promote development of physical skills as kids develop muscle strength and hand-eye coordination. Larger outdoor play toys help kids develop gross motor skills as large muscle groups get exercised and challenged to perform. Smaller hands on manipulation of indoor play toys help promote development of fine motor skills, which are important skills kids needs as they prepare for kindergarten handwriting assignments.
Parents should not underestimate the importance of play time and its' impact on child development.