Birthday and Christmas presents have become an  emotionally charged symbol of our love. We build up the expectation of these yearly presentations in the child’s mind and so we run the risk of utter disappointment accompanied by our own hurt when the child looks at us with sadness, disgust or reproach. What to do?

Remember these points:

1. The best gift is one that says ” I know what you like”. You know if your child is sporty, academic, an abstract thinker, into crystals, mad about construction, loves animals, is always drawing …..etc. By giving gifts that acknowledge their interests you affirm them and share in their interest….a bonding experience.
2. The best thing to value is your child’s growing individuality, curiosity, self-confidence and skills. Look for toys that develop these attributes with integrity.
3. It is necessary for some gifts to be an antidote to popular culture and in particular to be something that is particular to your family culture. Does your family go fishing, collect crystals, play board games, or have an interest in astronomy or birds?
4. Remember that kids are very susceptible to advertising and peer group pressure and just because they want a particular toy it doesn’t mean that they will play with it once they have it. It may just be something that they feel they need. Keep these kinds of gifts a minimum.
5. You can use gifts to introduce new interests but it’s probably better to introduce a new interest in a more low-key fashion first.
6.All humans are a body-mind. Don’t forget to cater for both sides by providing active as well as passive toys.
7. Its not fair to buy presents which are “good for them” if they won’t like them. These will be resented. Give these gifts at other times but not for birthdays or Xmas. You may like to introduce gifts like this; “ here’s something I thought you might like”. This takes the pressure off both the giver and the receiver.
8. Spend a bit less on birthday and Xmas gifts and buy other small unexpected gifts through the year. These can be more educational or introducing new interests and hobbies or as rewards for special achievement. Also, if the child doesn’t like them, it won’t be such a disaster. It is also just as likely that even though the reaction was luke-warm, the exposure bears fruit later on down the track. All teachers know this secret.
9. Because of computer technology, kids often miss out on valuable mind and body integrating hands-on experiences. Just as we need slow food, we need slow toys to allow spontaneous creative thoughts. Toys that require hands-on manipulation and creative thought are more significant in terms of developing a solid sense of self in the world than fast reactions to light, colour and sound on a screen.
10. We all want products to last as long as we need them and if we can then pass them on in a usable state, so much the better for the environment. However, some toys are best thought of as experiences, and as such don’t have to be repeated e.g. building some models and performing science experiments. The memory lasts even though you have carried out the activity only once.

THE PLUG: WHY SHOP AT TERRIFIC SCIENTIFIC.

We’ve spent the time sifting through mountains of toys to select what we believe will enhance your child’s awakening curiosity about the world and their place in it. Science is a way of asking questions and finding out answers and all children are scientists in this regard. Over the years the store has expanded to include other educational toys, art, craft and games for all ages. The reason for this was simply that customers were very supportive of our winning philosophy of emphasising knowledge, creativity and activity- based products.
The staff can help you find the ideal toy for your child because we have many years of experience listening to wishlists, getting feedback, testing toys and kits on our own and other people’s kids, and because we really care that you leave the shop with the appropriate choice within your budget. And we gift-wrap!

This article comes from Caroline who runs Terrific Scientific in Sydney’s Inner West.

• Phone 9692-9206
• To buy online visit www.terrificscientific.com