Finding educational toys for your kids<\/p>\n
Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
When it comes to choosing toys for their children, most
\nparents buy them not only for fun, but also for educational
\nreasons.<\/p>\n
A wide range of learning toys that are designed to encourage
\ncreativity and thinking skills are available in many supermarkets
\nand malls across the country.<\/p>\n
Imported educational toys, such as LeapFrog and Oregon
\nScientific computer toys, can be found in Pondok Indah Mall, Puri
\nIndah Mall, Citraland mall, Kelapa Gading Mall and other big
\nmalls.<\/p>\n
\"Our regular customers always buy something for their children
\nwhen a new model arrives,\" said Enzie Regina, marketing executive
\nof US-based Toys 'R' Us, one of the major toy retailers in town.<\/p>\n
Even though computer toys entered the market several years
\nago, the toys remain popular among children because the new
\nlaptop model always provides new features for their users.<\/p>\n
For example, the kids, particularly the girls, love the
\nlaptop, not only because of the use of the Barbie character, but
\nalso due to its more attractive features.<\/p>\n
The program in the Barbie laptop focuses on English,
\nmathematics and games. \"With the laptop, children are expected to
\nlearn basic English, including vocabulary, spelling and grammar,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
The laptops vary in the level of difficulty, depending on the
\nage. A laptop for children aged 8 and up provides more activities
\nthat are more complicated compared to the ones for younger
\nchildren.<\/p>\n
Apart from computer toys, Toys 'R' Us also provides various
\npuzzles and Lego sets that the store categorizes into educational
\ntoys.<\/p>\n
Montessori puzzles are among the trendy ones, according to
\nToys 'R' Us' duty manager Puji. The puzzles are available in
\ndifferent series suited to age, including Rush Hour and Safari
\nRush Hour for children aged 8 to adults.<\/p>\n
In the puzzle, Rush Hour, for instance, a player is supposed
\nto clear the path to make a good escape route by shifting the
\nblocking cars and trucks up and down, left and right. The puzzles
\nhave different level of difficulty, depending on the age.<\/p>\n
\"Each puzzle has 40 level of difficulty. Not only children who
\nlike the game, but also adults,\" said Puji, adding that with the
\npuzzle, children are expected to learn how to solve problems, to
\nboost their I.Q and to be patient.<\/p>\n
Other toy retailers that provide a wide collection of branded
\neducational toys are Kidz Station and Toys City.<\/p>\n
At Kidz Station, also in Pondok Indah, the educational toys
\nare put in a special area on the second floor called EKidz.<\/p>\n
Apart from computer toys, the store also provides a wide
\ncollection of mega blocks and Lego sets for preschool age and
\nschool age children. \"By building separate blocks into the
\nchild's desired objects, such as a house, a bridge or a plane,
\nthe child can boost his or her creativity,\" said one Kidz Station
\nshop assistant.<\/p>\n
Different characters of Gundam now in fashion among school age
\nchildren are placed at a special Gbase room, with a giant Gundam
\non display.<\/p>\n
Many children also enjoy assembling parts to make an object,
\nwith different level from the simple ones like assembling parts
\nto make a small and colorful fish to more complicated ones like
\nwar ships, dinosaurs and armed Gundam robots.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, parents who pay avid attention to the development
\nof their children aged under six will have a great opportunity to
\nget a variety of branded and high quality toys when Play 'N'
\nLearn toy store opens.<\/p>\n
Play 'N' Learn, to be opened to the public on Oct. 31, 2004,
\nwill occupy the second floor of the Kemang Square, on Jl. Kemang
\nRaya No. 3 A, Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Providing high quality toys with educational value for
\npreschool children was the reason behind the store, said Play 'N'
\nLearn's co-owner Faliming Thamin.<\/p>\n
\"The rapid growth of preschools in Indonesia has prompted us
\nto open such a store. In the past, most parents sent their
\nchildren only to attend a kindergarten when they reached five-
\nyears-old, but now many send them to schools at an earlier age,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
The store focuses on providing toys for babies up to
\nsix-years-old because \"rapid brain development happens in that
\ntime,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Top imported products to be available include the Brio railway
\ntrack and accessories made in Sweden. \"With the available parts
\nof rail tracks and accessories, the children in groups are not
\nonly expected to assemble them to make a track but also play with
\nthe train when completed,\" she said.<\/p>\n
While creating the track, the children are indirectly trained
\nto use their imagination, learn how to solve a problem, use
\nlogical thinking and develop their motor skills and eye
\ncoordination, she said.<\/p>\n
\"It will also train them to work as a team and develop their
\nsocial skills,\" she added.<\/p>",
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