best quality toys for kids image
Key H.
I have to design a toy, and I need a little guidance. I do not have children, so I'm a bit lost in what to do. What is it you look for as a parent when it comes to educational childrens toys? Simple yet effective? Something more complex? Something that teaches multiple things such as colors, numbers, and alphabet? Just needing a little help and guidance. Thanks in advance.
Answer
When I buy toys, I'm looking for something that can be used in multiple ways by kids of different ability levels, and engages a child's creativity. I'm wary of anything that claims to be "educational" just because it has letters and numbers printed on it somewhere. Anything that talks, ties in with a tv show, or otherwise limits play options from the start, I absolutely refuse to buy. Anything that doesn't lend itself for being used for multiple purposes is not what I'm looking for. Simple is good -- I think blocks are really the ultimate learning toy for little kids, though I have lots of other toys that are a little more sophisticated that I also think are good (Wedgits, for example, or gear sets). No batteries required (and no sound emitted) is good. Anything purporting to teach numbers and the alphabet I meet with great suspicion (I'd say books -- and conversation -- are the appropriate "toys" to teach that, though something kind of abacus-like, or dominos, or something, might have some value in teaching numbers). Building toys, creative play toys, puzzles, shape sorters, etc. strike me as the toys my kids are really learning from.
If you're really trying to design a "learning" toy for children of a particular age group, do a little child development research for that age before you start to see the skills kids are picking up at those ages.
Oh yeah -- and please no lead paint, choking hazards, or other safety issues, especially if 2-year-olds are in your age range....
When I buy toys, I'm looking for something that can be used in multiple ways by kids of different ability levels, and engages a child's creativity. I'm wary of anything that claims to be "educational" just because it has letters and numbers printed on it somewhere. Anything that talks, ties in with a tv show, or otherwise limits play options from the start, I absolutely refuse to buy. Anything that doesn't lend itself for being used for multiple purposes is not what I'm looking for. Simple is good -- I think blocks are really the ultimate learning toy for little kids, though I have lots of other toys that are a little more sophisticated that I also think are good (Wedgits, for example, or gear sets). No batteries required (and no sound emitted) is good. Anything purporting to teach numbers and the alphabet I meet with great suspicion (I'd say books -- and conversation -- are the appropriate "toys" to teach that, though something kind of abacus-like, or dominos, or something, might have some value in teaching numbers). Building toys, creative play toys, puzzles, shape sorters, etc. strike me as the toys my kids are really learning from.
If you're really trying to design a "learning" toy for children of a particular age group, do a little child development research for that age before you start to see the skills kids are picking up at those ages.
Oh yeah -- and please no lead paint, choking hazards, or other safety issues, especially if 2-year-olds are in your age range....
What are some decent affordable keyboards for a beginner?
Mike
I want to learn to play the keyboard. Since it would be my first one it doesn't need to be top-of-the-line obviously. I want something affordable, yet still of decent quality. You know, not some cheap toy you buy for your kid who's taking piano lessons. Any suggestions?
Answer
Roland, Korg, Yamaha and Akai are my favourite brands. I'd dare say you could pick up a decent one for a lot less than $700 if you look around. Keep in mind also that just because something might look a bit like a kids toy, doesn't necessarily mean it will sound like one. Quirky designs are all the rage these days.
There's so many different possibilities and combinations of possibilities, it's difficult to know where to begin. You could buy a standalone keyboard, a desktop module that would save a lot of money but would require a MIDI control keyboard to operate. Or, if you're a bit computer-savvy you could delve into the world of soft synths. Again, this would require a MIDI controller (and a computer) but it opens up a whole new world.
For a standalone, the Korg X5D is a great little keyboard. They're no longer in production but you can always find used ones on eBay for less than $200.
The Roland XV-5050 is a fantastic module (again, no longer in production) that I would never part with for the world. $300 on eBay and a cheap MIDI controller would get you going and it is an absolute monster.
If you have any more specific ideas about the kind of things you might like, put them in your additional details or send me an email and I'll get some more ideas for you. Price range, capabilies, format, that kind of thing. The range of available keyboards is simply huge.
Roland, Korg, Yamaha and Akai are my favourite brands. I'd dare say you could pick up a decent one for a lot less than $700 if you look around. Keep in mind also that just because something might look a bit like a kids toy, doesn't necessarily mean it will sound like one. Quirky designs are all the rage these days.
There's so many different possibilities and combinations of possibilities, it's difficult to know where to begin. You could buy a standalone keyboard, a desktop module that would save a lot of money but would require a MIDI control keyboard to operate. Or, if you're a bit computer-savvy you could delve into the world of soft synths. Again, this would require a MIDI controller (and a computer) but it opens up a whole new world.
For a standalone, the Korg X5D is a great little keyboard. They're no longer in production but you can always find used ones on eBay for less than $200.
The Roland XV-5050 is a fantastic module (again, no longer in production) that I would never part with for the world. $300 on eBay and a cheap MIDI controller would get you going and it is an absolute monster.
If you have any more specific ideas about the kind of things you might like, put them in your additional details or send me an email and I'll get some more ideas for you. Price range, capabilies, format, that kind of thing. The range of available keyboards is simply huge.
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