We have a natural affinity with animals that starts from a very early age. As toddlers, one of the first things we learn is how to identify animals and their sounds.
Learning about animals has educational, environmental, ethical, and emotional benefits, which is why parents should encourage animal farm toy play for their toddlers and children. Learning about animals opens up our understanding of the wonder of the earth’s biodiversity and the different environments animals are part of. Furthermore, animal play inspires creativity through unique gameplay and storytelling. We don’t just have a biological and scientific connection to animals, they also form an integral part of our social and cultural history through folklore, myths, and fables.
It’s never too early to start learning about conservation, sustainability, and instilling a sense of ethical responsibility towards nature. Animal play fosters compassion and empathy and is a great tool for creating a well-rounded education. The ERTL company has been a part of this journey for decades by encouraging animal play with its range of toys. ERTL’s commitment to manufacturing beautiful, realistic, and detailed animal toys is a hallmark of the brand and is the reason why ERTL toys are so popular among children and collectors.
- Our love for animals is instinctive
- Identifying animals as a developmental milestone
- The benefits of animal play
- ERTL’s wide range of animal toys
- The right ERTL animal toy for your child
- Growing with ERTL
Our love for animals is instinctive
Children and toddlers often have a natural attraction to animals, and there are several reasons for this:
- Children are naturally curious about the world around them, and they ask a lot of questions. Our planet is so diverse and extraordinary, which offers a lot of scope to captivate the imagination and inspire a sense of awe and wonder.
- Children are often drawn to animals because they are non-judgemental and can be wonderful companions.
- Children often find it easy to connect with animals and can form emotional attachments with them. This fosters a sense of compassion, empathy, and responsibility.
- Children can learn so much through animals by exploring different species, habitats, and relationships.
- Animals are playful and unique, and they are fascinating to observe.
- Having a love of animals and nature connects us and is an important tool for social bonding.
We love animals because we are naturally curious and want to feel connected to nature. Our affinity with animals and the natural world offers huge potential for play and learning, and nurturing this connection is an integral part of a child’s development.
Identifying animals as a developmental milestone
For toddlers and children, identifying animals is more than just a simple skill. The ability to identify animals is a milestone that contributes to growth and understanding because it promotes cognitive, social, and emotional development. These early developmental skills lay the groundwork for more advanced learning, while also nurturing a love for nature.
But why is identifying animals such an important milestone?
Firstly, it indicates important classification skills and shows the brain’s ability to categorize things based on shared characteristics. It also indicates language development and vocabulary-building skills. Children who can identify animals have honed their observation skills and this also shows their curiosity, tendency towards learning, and their connection to nature.
Knowing about animals opens up the scope for imaginative play, including storytelling and role-playing opportunities. It also leads to social and emotional development by being able to understand animals and their behaviors. Identifying animals is part of our educational foundation because it shows a preparation for learning, which is why parents should encourage animal play from a young age by introducing toy animals.
Individual development varies, but here’s a rough guide for age and milestones:
- 0-12 months: Infants are generally very stimulated by animals so parents should introduce them to pictures and age-appropriate toys.
- 1-2 years: toddlers show a growing interest in animals and may be able to point to familiar animals and make some animal sounds.
- 3-5 years: preschoolers can generally identify a broad range of animals and may even know basic facts about them.
- 6-8 years: at this age, children grow and develop their knowledge of animals and may show a more specific interest in different categories of animals. They should also have a more complex knowledge of habitats, behaviors, and characteristics.
The benefits of animal play
Animal play has numerous benefits for toddlers and children and is essential for a well-rounded education. Here are some of the key benefits of animal play and why it should be incorporated into your child’s playtime and learning.
- Physical Development: Animal play develops both fine and gross motor skills because it involves a broad range of large movements as well as skills such as coordinating and grasping smaller toys.
- Cognitive Development: Animal play develops imagination and creativity, and encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Social and Emotional Development: Animal play involves pivotal interaction skills and promotes empathy and compassion.
- Language Development: Animal play broadens vocabulary and promotes dialogue and conversation.
- Emotional Development: Animal play has a huge impact on overall mental health and can help with stress and anxiety because it allows toddlers and children to express themselves.
- Educational Development: Animal play broadens education and introduces toddlers and children to important concepts.
Building animal play into your child’s life can help with a variety of skills and there are numerous opportunities to be creative to maximize learning and fun.
ERTL’s wide range of animal toys
ERTL is renowned for manufacturing die-cast metal replicas of agricultural replicas, farm equipment, and farm vehicles. As part of their vision for integrated imaginative play, they also produce a range of popular farm animal toys. These farm animal toys are typically made of plastic and are realistic representations of common farm animals. ERTL has garnered a reputation for producing high-quality realistic toys, which is why they are so popular and resonate with every age.
ERTL Farm Animal Playsets include plastic replicas of popular farm animals, but there are also ERTL Individual Animal Figures that are designed to be durable. ERTL also has a range of fun Wildlife and Nature Sets that include wildlife or animals in their natural habitats.
ERTL animal toys vary over time, and over the years the company has produced a range of toys that cater to all tastes and ages.
The right ERTL animal toy for your child
ERTL animal toys are specifically designed to be safe and durable for toddlers and children, however, it is always recommended for toddlers and young children to be supervised during play. You should always check the recommended age guidelines on the packaging, but here’s a general guideline for picking the right animal toys for your child.
- Toddlers: ERTL offers a variety of animal toys suitable for toddlers that are designed to be safe and durable. The figures are designed to be chunky and easy to grasp and are often soft and squeezable for additional sensory elements. With Agzaga's best farm sets for toddlers, you can ensure your toddlers are getting the very best!
- Children: For children from 2-8 there are age-appropriate animals that may be larger and chunkier, or smaller and more detailed. These toys are perfect for imaginative play,
Growing with ERTL
ERTL toys have a wholesome and timeless quality and are so significant because they have an educational and cultural value. ERTL offers a realistic representation of the world around us, which encourages a growing interest in the natural world. The toys also develop the imagination and focus on a hands-on learning approach. The ability to combine fun and learning means that they are the perfect toys to foster and develop curiosity while also providing a lens through which your child can explore the awe and wonder of life, nature, and community.
For more information on ERTL toys check out the website or online catalog.
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