DR. TOY'S BEST CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS 2002 Selected by Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (Dr. Toy)

An Overview of The Best Toys of 2002

Welcome to Dr. Toy’s Guide! To assist you with your gifts giving this holiday and into the new year we have a great selection of new products for you to consider. We have reviewed over two thousand toys and children’s products over this past dozen years. It has been exciting and rewarding to see many new and innovative companies emerging, while many new and interesting improvements have been made among many established companies. Our 2002 products range across many different levels.

There is more to choose from today than ever before. It may also seem that way when you seek the right product for your child. By using Dr. Toy’s Guide, you will find helpful guidance as you look for that perfect product, the one that will benefit your child the most.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Know your child and his or her interests;
2. Understand what she is studying in school and what she needs to learn;
3. Expand his interests and help him to develop a well-rounded approach to play;
4. Give her new experiences that stimulate and that challenge different abilities;
5. Help him develop both sides of the left and right sides of the brain, and help him to think and to be creative;
6. Challenge and build her strengths and help her to learn new information.

Dr. Toy selects 10 products for each of the following categories:

Best Active Products,

Best Audio/Visual Products,

Best Creative Products,

Best Educational Products,

Best Games,

Best Socially Responsible Products (to help children learn about their environment and themselves),

Best Software/CD Products, and...

Best Toys,

Play encompasses everything your child does. They need you to play with them. They need to learn simple games, and to have plenty of conversations. They need you to read stories to them, and they need to sing songs, play with puzzles, do crafts, and have fun. Whatever you and your child enjoy doing together is perfect.

Look for creative products to prepare for those times when there is a snow storm or rain fall and children are house-bound. This is the time to bring out those great creative products that have been packed away in storage. Open them on a bad weather day and the storm passes away while children are enjoying something satisfying.

Children can only focus on one toy at a time. Make toys something that you select year round to make their time interesting and challenging. Don't forget the products that help children with their activities, whether they are enjoying active play outdoors, or learning to do yoga or some other kind of physical activity.

Even play with pick-up sticks or marbles is physical and requires dexterity; the smallest activity brings the body into motion. Children like a variety of physical activity, so don’t forget to add hula hoops, balls, and a bean bag toss.

Children also need time to play games, to think, to create, to use their imagination, and to learn strategy and how to figure things out. They need time to create, to play with dolls and puppets, and to use their skills.

These are the products we have looked for this year. We were looking for products with the potential to provide your child with learning and joy. During the next year, your child will have an opportunity to play and experience some of these toys directly. Be sure to look at our online review of toy buying services to find an array of different ways to purchase these products.

If you have a question about a toy, then “Ask Dr. Toy.” If you have an answer or know of the availability of products, help us by looking at our “Ask Dr. Toy” feature and responding. You'll be fascinated with all of the queries that have come in, and we welcome your help as we find answers for all of these questions.

Search through our site, come back often, and have a fun, playful year!

Please be sure to examine a copy of our new book, Toys for a Lifetime, that highlights over 50 classic toys from the past as well as the toys of the future. And look for our Dr. Toy’s Smart Play: How to Raise a Child with a High P.Q.(Play Quotient) to help you with ideas from baby to older children, plus 166 great ideas of ways to have fun with your children. What is most important is to have fun together as a family. Have a wonderful time with your child this holiday (and every day in the new year!). Let’s play!

—Dr. Stevanne Auerbach, "Dr.Toy"

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