The Importance of Multi-Cultural Toys

By Victor Epand

Gone are the days when all of the dolls in the store had very light skin and blond hair. These days, toys come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Cultural relevance is important during play time, as play time is a prelude to adult life. It is important for children to be exposed to the history of their own culture, and play with toys that "look like them." They should not, however, be limited to such toys.

A multi-cultural doll and toy experience is balanced and healthy. One poor extreme is to expose the child only to dolls from a single culture. If they only see dolls and toys that look like them, they will find it difficult to accept others that look different. They won't mean to distance themselves, but children are more likely to gravitate towards what they know. The other poor extreme is to allow them to play with toys that look totally different from them, without any that do look like them. Self-esteem can be negatively affected that way, especially in young girls.
Let your little girls and boys play with dolls and action figures that represent the multi-cultural world that they live in. Dolls collections like American Girl, Barbie, Bratz, and Cabbage Patch Kids come in many different cultural varieties. There is no reason to stick to just one cultural background when it comes to dolls, action figures, toys, or friends.

Mixing the culture of your child's toys can prepare the for the mix of cultures in society. Even if they don't see all of the different cultures everyday at school, they might notice when they get out into the real world. America is an amazing blend of cultures, religious backgrounds and ethnicities. There are many things to learn about each one, and appearance is just the start. The sooner your child learns that people are unique and special in their own way, the better. Children can learn about other cultures as well as their own.

Keep an open mind about the cultural aspects of the toys that your children play with. Talk to them about race and religion so they are aware and tolerant of others that are not totally like them. Remember that everyone is a human being who deserves equal respect. Play time is a learning experience, so give them the tools that they need to learn as much as they can about the world from the beginning.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for ethnic toys, stuffed animals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand

Halloween : Gund 17-Inch Frankenstein with Sound & Light Up Eyes

Gund 17-Inch Frankenstein with Sound & Light Up Eyes

Well this toy is Huge, it seems to be made happy halloween pretty well, and is fantastic value at just over $10. Please note that he doesn't groan when his nose is pushed, but instead says a rather cheerful 'Happy Halloween' which is a little disappointing for those of us with more morbid tastes.

Tiny Love Gymini Super Deluxe - Lights&Music

Tiny Love Gymini Super Deluxe - Lights&Music

Tiny Love Gymini Super Deluxe - Lights&MusicOther products by Tiny Love


Product Details

Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 23.5 x 29.5 inches ; 0.3 ounces
Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
ASIN: B000067K0L
Item model number: 00810
Our Recommended Age: 3 months - 1 years
Manufacturer Recommended Age: 1 - 10 months
Batteries: 3 AA batteries required. (included)
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102 in Toys & Games (See Bestsellers in Toys & Games)


Product Description

Amazon.com Review
A newborn will be content lying on her back, gazing into Mommy or Daddy’s face. And that doesn’t really get old for a long time. But baby’s brain and muscles and skills are developing, and after a while she would like a wee bit more entertainment, if you don’t mind. The award-winning Gymini Super Deluxe by Tiny Love is a classic, sure to provide, well, minutes, but they add up to hours, of amusement! And parents know that even 10 minutes of uninterrupted time to make dinner or throw a load in the wash can be a blessing, even aside from the myriad benefits the Gymini play mat gives their little one. And what are those benefits, you ask? The list goes on and on, but here’s a start.

First, a Brief DescriptionThe Gymini folds out into a 32- by 32-inch soft mat, virtually swarming with colorful illustrations of jungle flora and fauna, most notably a giraffe, zebra, lion, and elephant. Overhead two padded arches cross, from which dangle more critters, as well as a large mirror and a plastic bead rattle. Hidden below, baby will eventually discover, is a music box that plays Mozart and several nursery tunes. Textures, colors, sounds, and lights abound, and baby has the power to make all these objects squeak and jingle and jitter and flash, as soon as she can figure out how to make those hands and feet and mouth of hers connect with her heart’s desire. Herein lies the developmental potential.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Whether she’s waving her limbs around; aiming specifically for the goggle-eyed, smiling monkey overhead; or rolling over to find the source of that I.Q.-enhancing classical music, baby will be hard-pressed not to advance her infant skill set on the Gymini Super Deluxe. From the monkey with springy leg to pull to the vibrating, jitterbugging elephant to the mirror she can see if she just lifts that heavy head a bit higher…everything on the play mat has a mission: to make baby learn. Cause and effect is a biggie: when she bats at the giraffe, it rattles.

When she pokes one corner of the mat, music and lights seem to emerge from the fabric flowers. When she rubs the elephant ear on the mat, it makes a fun crinkly sound. Those large muscles are getting a real workout, too, resulting in improved large motor skills: reaching, kicking, rolling over, pushing up. Many babies don’t particularly enjoy their necessary daily "tummy time," but the Gymini encourages baby to lift and turn her head to see the mirror and find the flashing lights. Tummy time is fun again! And don’t forget the fine motor skills! Those little fingers have to meet if baby wants to grasp the zebra’s mane or the parrot’s crackling wings.

Details, Details
Plastic rings hang from the many holes in each arch; dangling from each is a plush animal or toy, providing still more stimulation. Additionally, parents can easily switch out the toys for variety, simply detaching the included toys from the rings and looping other baby-safe toys on. A hidden music box in one corner of the mat includes an on/off switch with two musical selections: 10 minutes of Mozart or three short fragments of popular nursery tunes. The music is a bit plinky, as is the norm with most baby toy music, but not at all offensive. When the music stops, all baby needs to do is press anywhere on that corner of the mat to start it up again—she is further encouraged to do so by the flowers that light up when the music plays. A hidden squeaker in one of the birds, peek-a-boo with the elephant ear, flap-flap-flap with the butterfly wing, tug-of-war with the giraffe’s tail…the play potential is limitless, whether she’s sitting up or lying down, one week old or 8 months old.

For Mom and Dad
The mat and arches fold up flat, and the entire Gymini snaps together and travels easily, which is a good thing because you won’t want to be without it on your next trip to Grandma’s. The padded mat is machine washable (read instructions first—the music box and mirror don’t take kindly to machine washing…). Three AA batteries required for the music box (batteries included are for trial only and should be replaced). --Emilie Coulter

Product Description

The latest, most feature-packed version of Tiny Love's award-winning Gymini 3-D Activity Gym, the new Super-Deluxe Lights and Music Activity Gym will enchant your baby with a whole world of developmental benefits, right from day one -- and all in one soft and secure environment.

This innovative Gymini features the one-of-a-kind Lights and Music Touch Pad with classical music by Mozart and favorite nursery tunes, all sure to delight your baby with accompanying flashing lights. Your baby activates the lights and sounds on her own, which produces immediate feedback and teaches cause-and-effect. The Gymini also develops important motor skills. Requires 3 "AA" alkaline batteries (included).

Awards:
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio - Special Needs Adaptable Product (SNAP) Award
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio - Gold Seal Best Toy Award
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio - Blue Chip Classic Award
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio - Platinum Award
Parents' Choice - Silver Honors Seal
Parenting Magazine - Toy of the Year Award


Customer Reviews

Another Article Source:
http://pro-duct-review.blogspot.com/2008/10/halloween-gund-17-inch-frankenstein.html