By Meg Peters
Review co-Editor
Preschoolers at the Goddard School in Lake Orion have been busy little elves.
For the past week they have been testing toys for the sake of education, participating in the?2015’Goddard School Preschooler-Approved Toy Test, along with 48 other Goddard Schools across the country.
National toy manufacturers submit toys for infants to kindergarteners to test for interactivity, skill development, creative inspiration and more. While playing, teachers observe the students, judging each toy against the criteria.
In many instances, however, it is easy to determine which toy generates the most interest.
‘They tell us,? junior kindergartener teacher Tammy Grandy said of her excitable group of students. ‘When we told them we were pulling the toys back out, they were like, ‘we want this one, we want that one,? and we judge by their excitement. If there is painting involved, building involved, Legos? that really intrigues them.?
At the end of the week, teachers asked each student to list their favorite toys, and votes were sent to be compiled by the corporate office. Then, the top toy, which is voted on through social media, is sent by Goddard to charity Choose for Charity.
All winning toys will also be incorporated into the Goddard classrooms.
‘They’re educational and engaging, especially with the 21st’century skills. Science, technology, engineering, math’they are going to touch on those different points. And the kids love it, and it gives parents good ideas for gifts,? Assistant Director Emily Hines said.
Participating manufacturers include’Lakeshore Learning, Hape, Faber-Castell, K’NEX, Fat Brain Toys, Peaceable Kingdom, Learning Resources and many more.