Experts lift lid on toy box
TWO Toowoomba health professionals are helping parents with their toy purchases for their children.
The average Australian parent spends about $500 per year on toys for each child in the family – the greatest amount of any country in the world.
But how do parents know that they’re investing that money wisely? Are children really benefiting from their parents’ toy purchases? Or are parents’ purchasing biases actually holding their children back?
The Smart Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Best Toys for Bright Kids is an exciting new book that is changing the way people buy toys.
Local author, Dr Lisa Hudson, a speech pathologist, along with her co-author, occupational therapist Julia Eggles, believes many toys carry big educational claims simply to satisfy parents, while other are designed to appeal to fad-conscious kids.
“There is so much information out there that parents just don’t know where to start,” Dr Hudson said.
“A lot of the promotions are misleading, so parents end up wasting a lot of money on toys that do absolutely nothing to help a child’s development and don’t engage the child for longer than a few weeks.”
Dr Hudson said 18 years of research had gone into the book, which provides a systemised way for parents and grandparents to buy toys that are specifically suited to their child’s current needs.
Dr Hudson and Mrs Eggles are mothers who have dedicated much of their careers to teaching parents how to buy smart. They have a combined 55 years working with families, and have two clear messages to present-buyers during the upcoming stocktake sales:
The right toys can (and should) last a child’s childhood; and the right toys can shape a child’s future.
In fact, the wrong toys can actually do harm, and at the very least, are a complete waste of money.
Julia Eggles and Dr Lisa Hudson are highly respected health professionals who established Lifespan Fundamentals in Toowoomba, to provide parents, grandparents, and early childhood professionals with out-of-the-box solutions for early childhood and beyond.
They have been presenting highly acclaimed workshops throughout Australia on their The Toowoomba launch of The Smart Parent’s Guide is on Saturday, May 31 at Mary Ryan’s Books, Heritage Plaza Toowoomba. system of promoting child development through play for the past 18 years.
The Smart Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Best Toys for Bright Kids is available as an e-book at www.brightkidstoyguide.com for $25 US.
It is also available in paperback through Mary Ryan Bookstores in Toowoomba and Milton for $24.99, and selected locations.