3 days Ago
HOUSTON — Christmas is approaching and you're likely looking for toys for the kids in your life. But -- not all toys are created equally and some are better for your child's health than others. As we get ready for the joys of holiday shopping -- in person or online -- there are some things you should know about what kids want and what they get.
We checked in with Dr. George Golod, a family medicine doctor with UT Physicians . He said kids under the age of 2 shouldn't be given electronics.
"Research shows parents directly interacting with their children, even if it's cooking and using a spoon, the child is watching facial clues and learning directly from what you're doing. So direct interaction with infants is super critical whereas electronics can be detrimental to development," Golod said. As kids get older, the guidance changes.
"Ages 2 to 5, you could start introducing tablets, TVs, but limit time to about one hour per weekday and three hours max on the weekends," he said. There are also non-electronic toys -- those as simple as blocks or Legos -- that can be beneficial. "Those are the things that improve motor skills.
Crafts can improve the development of art. It's a fun thing to see your kids develop pictures and paintings and you can display them, especially during the holidays," Golod said. As for video games, the doctor said it's all about parent-child interaction.
"So, when you're playing video games, you want to be engaged with your child as opposed to leaving them alone to play video games by themselves," Golod said. He also recommended that parents check the manufacturing labels on toys to check for any recalls. For smaller kids, things like unsecured batteries and loose ribbons and cords can all be potential choking hazards.
Golod's main point is to get your kids things they can enjoy with you -- an expensive toy isn't necessarily a good toy. A good toy is one that fosters the relationship between parent and child and helps them grow physically and mentally..
