I have decided to include Radio Controlled Helicopters in my list of Electronic Learning Toys. So far, in previous articles and in many other places, I have mainly concentrated on Electronic Toys which are designed to teach a particular set of skills, as well as purely amuse like all toys should do. Radio Controlled Helicopters do not quite fit into this learning category, but they definitely amuse. The skills required to fly toy helicopters include persistence, determination and patience – and yes, these are skills as far as I am concerned. The main point here is that there is an extra challenge due to the nature of helicopters, which convinces me to include helicopters as electronic learning toys.

For most parents choosing a Radio Controlled Helicopter as a gift is not an obvious choice. In fact there may be some initial reluctance to go much further than picturing that broken vase after it has been hit by this dangerous machine! However, due to vast improvements in the make up of these toys, helicopters are worthy of consideration as a gift for children. The material used these days is extremely hardy and crashes do not necessarily mean extensive damage to the helicopter. The design of current helicopters is such that the flight is much more stable than previously; and the control mechanism is much more sophisticated, allowing children to learn the necessary skills much quicker.

This is not to say that you don’t need to be concerned about younger children playing with these toys. Although the normal recommendation is 8 years and above, it is probably better to envisage adult supervision unless they are older than 12 years. Most helicopter toys are designed for indoor flight, but in very calm conditions some can be flown outdoors. Your initial purchase should be with the purpose of your child flying them indoors. If they become real enthusiasts then outdoor flight with advanced models becomes more straightforward after their indoor introduction.

The main type of toy helicopter available is electric-powered, as opposed to gas-powered. Definitely leave alone gas-powered until your children have the expertise and interest to progress. One disadvantage of electric powered is the short flight time before a re-charge of batteries is necessary. With a flight time of less than 20 minutes and a re-charge time of about the same, some patience may be required. There is no doubt that the experience of users worldwide is that the enjoyment and thrill of flying these toys compensates for the occasional waiting required! Do not worry about buying the most expensive and sophisticated model, as long as the control has more than 1 channel and the helicopter comes out of the box ready to fly, that should be enough. Make sure you buy re-chargeable batteries and invest in spare parts where they are available. Take the time to get more information and do a little research.

More information is available from the links I provide, but I should point out that any links provided are mainly for UK-based readers, although there are other non-UK sources given.

To make a start with your research go to my Radio Controlled Helicopters lens.

For information on other toys go to my Electronic Learning Toys lens.

]]> http://buyingeducationaltoys.com/educational-toys-articles/radio-controlled-helicopters-possible-electronic-learning-toys-for-children/feed 0 http://buyingeducationaltoys.com/educational-toys-articles/why-you-should-be-investing-in-learning-toys-for-your-children http://buyingeducationaltoys.com/educational-toys-articles/why-you-should-be-investing-in-learning-toys-for-your-children#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:23:10 +0000 http://buyingeducationaltoys.com/?p=106 Learning toys are becoming more popular with parents these days, as parents realise that education isn’t just something for school hours. There are a number of reasons why learning toys are an investment that provide value to your child. In this article we look at why you should invest in buying learning toys for your child.

Early learning before school

As your child grows emotionally and mentally, you will need to do all that you can to support this process. When children start school, they should already be able to perform basic skills such as being able to wash their own hands, go to the toilet alone and they should be able to count. Most parents realise that learning is not just something that should happen at school, it’s a daily process that should be encouraged and supported with the use of learning toys.

Learning habits to last a lifetime

Parents who support their children in the learning process can often be setting up their children for a lifetime of learning. The more complex and taxing problems that will need to be faced as the child reaches teenage schooling will be easier to solve by the child that had learning as a part of their everyday experience. Educated children eventually evolve into educated adults who will perform better at university and work. This will enable them to provide for their families and to live a nicer lifestyle than might otherwise be afforded to them.

Educated Kids are Less Likely to Divorce

A study performed at Stanford University in the 1970 involving marshmallows conduced that children who have basic skills from being educated at home before they attended school were less likely to divorce and more likely to live longer. Parents should do all that they can for the children’s educational level and this will include the supply of learning toys and books.

The more exciting and colourful the learning toys are, the more they will engage your child. Making learning enjoyable is one of the concepts that have been recognised to be of benefit to adults in addition to young children. The more advanced that children are in their education, the more opportunities the child will get as a child and as an adult. They will be offered a place at a better school and this should eventually lead to a better job than they might otherwise have secured with less education.

When you think about whether you should purchase a toy that your child might enjoy, think about how learning toys can be of great benefit in the long term life experience of your child. With this in mind, find learning toys that are fun and educational.

Melanie Thomas (CEO Melrose Kids Ltd) is a mother of two boys and lives in London, England. Melrose Kids Ltd are the official distributor of Brainy Baby® products in the UK and Ireland.

For 15 years, The Brainy Baby Company has been a pioneer and leader in DVDs, Books, educational toys learning products and flashcards. The award-winning line of videos, CDs, books, games, and toys introduce educational subjects such as letters, languages, shapes, animals, art and music. Visit our site now to start developing early learning habits for your child.