Toy Selection Reference Website Can Prove Invaluable For Parents and Grandparents

Choosing a toy for my grandchildren is always a challenge.  As a “Far Away” grandparent, I don’t have the luxury of being with them weekly or monthly to observe them playing.  I usually need to interrogate their parents for ideas about what types of toys they like to play with at any given moment. What’s popular isn’t particularly interesting to me as a grandparent.  My focus is generally in the  play value of a toy, and how appropriate it may be for my grandchildren’s ages.  My next criteria is trying to find something that speaks to their interests, so when I purchase a toy for each of them it really matches their abilities and skill levels.

I discovered “Dr. Toy” over the holidays when researching toy selection and knew I’d found a great reference source.  It’s proven to be a favorite website.

Dr. Toy is actually noted author Stevanne Auerbach, PhD, an established speaker and consultant.  Her book, Smart Play Smart Toys: How to Raise a Child with a High PQ (Play Quotient) is a unique guide to play and child development.  Dr. Auerbach, is trained in child psychology, education, special education, and child development.  Her well-earned title, “Dr. Toy”, dates back to her first assignment with “Creative Playthings” in 1968 where she developed its first education marketing program. She approved the first grant for the Children’s Television Workshop, “Sesame Street,” when she worked for the Commissioner of Education, where she reviewed reading programs throughout the country.  For many years she’s been considered one of the nation’s and world’s leading experts on play, toys, and children’s products. With 30 years of direct experience, Dr. Auerbach includes educationally oriented, developmental and skill building products from the best large and small companies in her four annual award programs. Many parents, teachers and toy buyers use Dr. Toy’s guidance in making selections.

A little on her background: In 1986 Dr. Auerbach founded and served as director of the San Francisco International Toy Museum, the world’s first interactive toy museum.  Between 1986 and 1990 (when it closed), the museum was visited by more than 50,000 children. New toys and products, as well as historical collectibles, were a mainstay of this unique “hands on” museum.

Dr. Toy reminds parents and teachers that “play is children’s work” and should be respected and understood by all adults. We should be thinking: “What products or ‘tools for play’ can we obtain to provide wholesome experiences for children and plenty of positive play interactions?” Berkeley Daily Planet

Her website: Dr. Toy, Best Advice on Childrens Products should be a wonderful resource for choosing children’s products and even offers visitors an opportunity to subscribe to a newsletter, read her blog, and obtain information about downloading an App:  Dr. Toys Best Gift Guide for your smartphone!