iPads, MakerEd and More in Education

"The ideal toy for a child is not a toy at all but something that they’ve appropriated for play. Enter: sticks and rocks! Imagination transforms a stick into a magic wand, a sword, or a tool to poke a dead thing. A rock becomes a car or a whale. Because these found objects have no assigned story (they are “un-designed”), they shift identities as needed.

Later, the rock that was once a car becomes a tool to smash leaves when the play changes. This isn’t likely to happen with a toy car that has four wheels and a plastic body. That car can only be a car. The stick that was previously imagined to be a sword and helped slay a dragon (a tree) will shift to become a superhero flying through the air with jet-shoes. This can’t happen with a pre-defined action figure. Superheroes have specific physical characteristics which, along with the movie, comic book or TV show plot, provides the story of how that toy will behave. In play these are the equivalent of instructions, limiting the potential for the child to invent the narrative. "

"As parents we many times feel overwhelmed with all the advertisements and options for buying young kids the best presents. How can you find something that will be fun for kids, while helping them grow in educational and productive ways? As the father of a new baby girl, I’ve realized how difficult these questions can be. Thoughtful research can make all the difference. STEM toys are toys related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As technology advances rapidly, knowledge of related topics will become more and more important. And not only that, but learning about STEM can enhance experiences in other fields; it’s not just about academic subjects, but rather advancing skills like creativity and logical thinking that will apply to countless future pursuits.

More than half of teens (55%) would be more interested in STEM simply by having teachers who enjoy the subjects they teach. Since presenting these subjects in an interesting way is so important, why don’t we start now! The world is always evolving, and STEM toys are just one way to embrace these changes in a positive way. I have compiled a list of products are imaginative, innovative, and most of all, fun. Here are 15 great toys you can look out for:"

"In response to concern over kids' interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), companies have been churning out cool toys that teach them coding and logic skills. The idea: get kids hooked on STEM early, and via their toys. 

Since there are so many more STEM toys on the market these days, it can be difficult to figure out which ones will be the most worthwhile. Below, Working Mother's picks for the best toys and games that teach the basics of coding. Your kid will be building her own robot in no time."