Tech Gadgets Reviews

Parents often seek assistance in selecting the right toys at the most ideal stage of their child’s development. Many toys are designed for particular ages based on safety concerns; however, many others are designed to specifically encourage the development of certain abilities in a child.

In this article we will explore the fundamental skills developed by infants at varying ages, and the types of toys that can encourage children to reach their potential.

The Baby’s 1st Year

In the first year of a baby’s life, they begin exploring and experimenting with their most important senses:

Sound & Smell – In the first instance babies begin to match voices with certain faces and facial expressions, mainly from being held, fed and nurtured. Likewise, certain smells can be recognised and associations are gradually made. As they begin to establish these social attachments they become more receptive to different sounds and smells. Toys with sound and music that react to a child’s action are especially good at this stage, and simply letting your baby smell something and then see it can encourage development in this area.

Touch & Sight – As babies begin to take a little control of their hands; touching and feeling things become an important part of an infant’s development. Similarly, as sight becomes clearer, babies become more receptive to visual aids. Toys for this age are designed to enhance and encourage these traits. Toys should be for seeing, hearing and touching – this encourages the child to respond to the sights and sounds they see and hear. Picture books with sound, teddy bears with different textures and pulley toys that respond to a child’s movement are especially beneficial after 6 months old. Toys in bright, monochromic colours can also help to stimulate eyesight in the first year of a child’s life.

Ages 1 to 2

This stage is an important time for developing independence and important social skills that will never be lost. Between the ages of 1 and 2 it is surprising how rapidly a child develops from a tentative toddler saying only 1 or 2 words, to a confident child able to easily run and speak around 50 individual words.

From the age of 1, infants begin taking an interest in the effects of their manipulation, and it is very fun to sit back and watch children at this age. They particularly enjoy throwing toys and building things, so building blocks Duplo, and stickle bricks are fantastic toys at this age for encouraging hand and eye coordination, as well as a sense of balance.

From around 18 months, infants are able to walk very well and can run to an extent. When objects are in the way – running can prove difficult. However, with their newfound freedom, children love to explore and try everything out, without a sense of danger, so toys that encourage active play at this age are well received. Balls, Sit n’ Rides , Activity Stations, toys that speak or make noises and toys of characters they see on TV are advantageous additions to a toy box at this age – they will encourage children to play actively, and it will also help them sleep well at bed time (an added bonus!).

Language progression is also crucial at this age. Children will begin responding when spoken to and chattering away when playing. This makes it important for adults to talk to children in conversations, read stories and sing nursery rhymes whenever possible.

Ages 2 Years +

As a child turns two years old their abilities in counting and speaking becomes clearer, and bodily strength in running and climbing becomes more refined.

At the turn of two years old, toys that have movement and sound and allow the child to throw and drop are ideal, as they will help to refine their physical strengths. Toys that allow the children to push themselves along, such as sit ‘n’ ride toys that allow children to steer are very desirable.

As they approach 3 years old, outdoor toys such as climbing frames and garden swings are great. Children at this age have good spatial awareness, and refined bodily strength. They can move large toys easily, kick balls forcefully and they also have the ability to use pedals on a bike.

An infant’s imagination will develop greatly at this age as well, which is why dressing up and a fascination with make believe is noticeable. Doll sets, action figures, train sets and such toys are favourable at this age and help children express themselves and explore their independence. Children will also start to play with others and learn social skills through play. Cooperation and taking turns are examples of skills that will become extremely important both at a young age and throughout life.

Showing off new skills to family is also a very common trait for children around 3 years and upwards. Toys that mimic adult tasks, such as vacuum cleaners, cookers, shop tills and lawn mowers are especially good for engaging with a child.

While we have focussed on the initial, most advancing years of a child’s life in this article, toys have been proven to encourage creativity, self-confidence and academic skills throughout every stage of childhood.

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“AI.” “Bicentennial Man.” “The Jetsons.” “Richie Rich.” “I, Robot.” These films and TV programs may have elicited various emotions and opinions from the viewers.

Indeed, these movies and shows have unveiled the different sides of robots. However, they still point out a certain fact — that robots, or robotic devices, are smart, fast, and hardworking. They perform according to their assigned purpose or duty. And they can be the most reliable members of your household. Yes, your very own household!

From vacuum cleaners and surveillance systems to pets and leisure gadgets, robotic devices are definitely “invading” our homes.

In fact, a study released last year by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe revealed that more than 600,000 consumer robots or household robotic devices were used all over the world in 2003. The Commission also predicted that an additional four million units would be used in the next three years.

More and more consumers are joining the “robotics bandwagon” — purchasing devices basically to make their lives easier and less complicated. These people have discovered that their lifestyles should be attuned with the modern, fast-paced times.

Are you one of them? Why should YOU use robotic devices in your home? Here’s a list of some of the numerous benefits that such technological gadgets can give you:

1) They make work — and life — easier for you.

Household robotic gadgets willingly, and literally, do the dirty work for you. Consider the robot vacuum cleaner which can do the following:

It cleans effectively and efficiently. Since it cleans more dirt in a single sweep as compared to standard upright vacuums, the robot vacuum cleaner actually saves 50% of your time.

It cleans a whole area. Because of its compact shape, the robot vacuum cleaner can completely clean the area under your bed or other furniture.

It detects areas that need the most cleaning. With its specially designed robotic intelligence system, the robot vacuum cleaner can sense the dirtier areas.

It avoids stairs and cliffs. Again, its robotic intelligence system enables it to sense “dangerous areas” and prevents it from falling off.

It recharges automatically. After a cleaning mission or upon sensing that its battery is low, the smart cleaner automatically returns to its “home base” and recharges, making itself ready for its next duty.

Truly a popular robot helper, the robot vacuum cleaner has been making life easier — and cleaner! — for at least 570,000 households around the globe.

2) They provide work safety.

Specially designed robots are specifically created to do dangerous chores such as cleaning windows of high-rise buildings or disposing of toxic materials.

3) They can provide unique and educational entertainment.

In 2003 alone, the sales of entertainment and leisure robotic gadgets went up to 691,000. Such devices can provide the following benefits:

Computer-based toys and games (such as an “educational laptop”) can give children a modern way of learning and having fun at the same time.

People can test their various skills by playing interactive computer games and competing with “robot opponents” that use artificial intelligence. Such games can really be challenging. In fact, “Deep Blue” (IBM’s “chess computer”) was able to beat chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1996 and 1997.

Robotic devices offer a wide array of entertainment and leisure activities in the fields of music, video, graphics, animation, et al.

4) They give accurate results.

Since robotic devices perform the very specific duty that they were designed to do, they produce amazing results. They can compute large numbers, draw perfect shapes and figures, detect identifying marks — all in mere seconds.

5) They can help save lives.

There is no question about how high-tech gadgets help in the field of medicine. But robotic devices are giving this fact a few more notches up. Here are some evidences:

A California-based company has invented a unique patch, which when applied to the skin, can monitor and record a person’s blood pressure, heartbeat rate, and other such vital signs. The said gadget is also able to automatically send such useful information to the doctor’s computer.

An Automatic Resuscitator can give treatment to a heart attack patient and save his life. The gadget can perform faster and leaves the medical professionals with more time, thereby increasing the survival chances of the patient.

Therapeutic robots have been helping sick patients recuperate faster.

Indeed, people may have different views about technology and modern gadgets. In the end, however, the choice is really ours. Should we look at and treat technology as a crutch that hinders our journey towards the future? Or should we see it as a tool that will help us take great leaps and get nearer to our destination?

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