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One of the largest toy makers in the world, Hasbro, has introduced a set of new games to help teach preschoolers manners. The NOODLEBORO games "let you nurture kids’ social skills naturally through multi-sensory play". Each game comes with a storybook and an audio CD so kids can see, hear, play and then live each NOODLEBORO life lesson.

In the first game, the children try to have a picnic but pesky ants keep getting in the way. They must have good manners and say 'please' and 'thank you' to get rid of them. In the second game, the kids run a pizza shop but must learn to listen and pay attention in case the customers order such things as stinky socks as a topping. The third game centres around a carnival and the social skill being taught is sharing. The children must collect as many sharing stars as they can before the park closes. The players are not rewarded for a particular dice roll but rather for listening carefully, sharing tokens with friends and saying "please" and "thank you."

These are all important skills that young children must learn. I'm not sure if learning them through this type of game is a 'natural' way to learn, but perhaps it will give parents some confidence in teaching these skills if they can put it in a context that the children understand and have fun with. The important thing is to reinforce these qualities at home from day to day. There is no point playing games where the child is encouraged to be polite and think of others if there is no reinforcement outside the game, book or the CD.

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Colouring books are one of the educational tools readily available today. They come in many different themes and styles to attract children of all ages. There are colouring books pages available online as well as in all bookshops. Some are simple and others are elaborate stories unfolding throughout the book.
So what are the benefits of your child spending time colouring in outlines of pictures created by someone else? Does this benefit them in any way?
Here are some benefits kids get from colouring:

• Increases concentration. Colouring requires good concentration and this type of focusing on one task can help a child develop her overall concentration levels. This is a skill that many children find difficult to master, although essential for later schooling.
  



• Aids fine motor skills. Colouring helps young children with their coordination and the use of pens and pencils. Trying to stay inside the lines takes considerable skill and when they master it they gain a sense of accomplishment.
  



• Encourages colour awareness. Using different colours gives children a chance to explore different combinations and lets them see how they can change the appearance of the picture. It is great also for gaining awareness of the lesser known colours. If they are using paints they can combine different primary colours to make a new colour.
  



• Stimulates creative thinking. There is scope for creativity during colouring. The child can develop a drawing style and enjoy making an imaginary world from her work before she is ready to actually draw full pictures on her own. This will encourage her to continue this type of creative play and give her a sense of accomplishment.
  

This is where colouring is most useful. We need to give young children every opportunity to gain self confidence and a sense of self worth. If they can create something that is aesthetically pleasing, then this will help in the positive development of their personality.
Older children may become bored with colouring and prefer to draw freely on their own. This is a natural progression and one to be welcomed. Nevertheless, colouring does have a place in child development and can easily be incorporated into a child’s day.

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If you are searching for the right educational toys for your preschooler, you may be overwhelmed with all the options available. Toy manufacturers are now busier than ever, working hard to keep up with the latest trends and styles, and competing to make their toys the best and most popular among small children. Though the decision of what to buy your child can be difficult, here are several suggestions that may help you.

When choosing an educational toy, you want to be sure it will serve its educational purpose. You want your child to learn something while playing with a particular toy, and for that to remain a popular one with your preschooler for a reasonable amount of time. This is why you should choose carefully.

When selecting educational toys, it is also important to keep your child's interests in mind. Remember, it isn't the educational factor that will interest your child, rather the fun the toy will bring. Encourage your child to play with different toys and learn new things, but always try to give preference to the more educational preschool-level toys, whether they teach basic math or reading skills, colour recognition, or just stimulate different parts of a child's developing brain. After all, these simple, educational games can often be the most entertaining.

Chalkboards are among the most popular toys for preschoolers. They are also among the oldest. And since many modern chalkboards are double-sided-- with a chalkboard on one side and a magnetic board for plastic letters on the other, this toy can also serve a dual purpose. By playing with it, your child will be able to learn the letters of the alphabet with the magnetic letters, and then be able to practice those letters on the chalkboard once this is accomplished. It also allows for free-hand drawing and hours of creative fun.

Toy pianos are also among the most popular and most beneficial toys. As shown in recent studies, children who learn music, even on the most basic level, tend to perform better in math and science-oriented subjects, and also tend to score higher on scholastic exams. Aside from that, this kind of toy is a great way for your child to be creative while making his or her very own music.

Blocks have long been among the most basic, yet most fun toys a child can own. There are many types from which to choose, from blocks that interlock, to those that simply balance on one another. Your child will have hours of fun building towers, houses, or just simply learning to stack and count.

No matter which educational toys you choose, be sure they are age-appropriate for your child. Check to be sure they don't have loose parts that could be harmful to your child, and that they aren't too complicated for his or her age and education level. You do not want your child to become discouraged by playing with a toy he or she does not understand. Also, play with your children. If you show an interest in the toys you buy, they are more likely to do the same.

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