Funtastic Learning Toys

The Truth About Developmental Toys

2009-01-14T10:09:00.001-06:00

I assume you found this from a search for Developmental Toys. I decided to write on this topic because I think the term "Developmental Toys" is overly used and too widely misunderstood, especially by the toy industry. I use it because it is a popular phrase that stimulates a response; sometimes without understanding a products developmental value. I am fortunate enough to work with people who do.

From my prospective, ALL toys have developmental value. If you read the "About Me" section, you will notice I coached a little league soccer team. Since I enjoy soccer, I will talk about a soccer ball because it is an excellent example of a developmental toy. Its developmental value is in the area of gross motor skills.

Above I introduced three concepts:
1) All toys have developmental value,
2) Soccer balls are developmental toys,
3) Playing soccer focuses on gross motor skills.

To keep this brief and not to loose focus of this discussion, I won't explain what muscle groups are developed when playing soccer. Any good coach or soccer mom understands this concept. Any toy retailer that sells soccer balls recognizes or was told by the manufacturer that soccer balls develop gross motor skills. Can they answer the questions: "what are gross motor skills" and "how does the product develop gross motor skills"? When toy retailers use the term "Developmental Toy" do they really know a products developmental value? Are they willing to find out for you?

Next time you see an online toy retailer tell you they sell developmental toys, call them on the phone and ask them what developmental value the product has. If they can't explain it to you, call us at Funtastic Learning Toys. If we carry that product, we will send you information or links to videos so you can understand its developmental value. If we do not carry that product, we will help you locate a product we carry that meets the need of the child in your care.

How Funtastic Learning Toys First Started.

2008-12-14T06:30:00.000-06:00

As a college class assignment, I was tasked at developing a functional e-commerce website. A friend of the family was an elderly lady who made handcrafted items and clothing for dolls which she sold at flea markets and trade show to make extra money. For my class project, I created a website in which her items could be sold online. The time and cost involved with producing her items made it unrealistic to compete in an online market.

I began looking into other uses for the website. When talking to people about starting a new business, I found a partner that was interested in starting a business to provide safe, non-violent, educational toys. We filed the necessary paperwork with state organizations and IRS to establish Funtastic Learning Toys as a legitamate business. Later we decided to transition from educational toys to focusing on the requirements of children with special needs. Currently, Funtastic Learning Toys provides products suitable for children and a child with special needs. Its ongoing mission will be moving toward products which focus on specific aspects of development for children with special needs.

I started this blog to share my understanding of special needs and disabilities.

2008-12-14T05:27:00.000-06:00

This is the first blog that I have established so it is a new experience. In pursuing my MBA and as a webmaster, I have completed a large amount of writing for research papers, webpage content, and product descriptions. This is the first time I have written material of a more personal nature.

I hope that I can share my knowledge and research so that people can both gain a better knowledge and understanding of the special needs and disabilities that American children and adults are experiencing. This blog will be an ongoing process in which I will share new knowledge and insight as I continue to research these topics.