Dieser Beitrag wurde geschrieben von Edina Weth Weil

Educational toys for children – creative learning toys for discovery and development

How you can playfully support your child’s social-emotional development from the very beginning

Imagine accompanying your child at play and knowing exactly: “Now I’m helping them in the right way to strengthen their emotional and language development.” Sounds too good to be true? With the educational Marte Meo method and the lovingly designed educational toys from Sterntaler, this is exactly what’s possible—in a completely natural, mindful way, right from the start.

In this article, you’ll learn how to support your child’s play using simple elements of the Marte Meo method—for example, with an educational toy.

Why is play so important for development?

Playing together is far more than just a pastime for children—it is a central part of early childhood development. It is how they develop important skills and actively explore their environment. In education , free play is regarded as a key element of child development.

Through intentional play support…

- Children learn to interact with others and take turns
- help little ones develop creativity, empathy, and problem-solving skills
- help children build self-confidence
- supports their language development
- promotes children’s fine motor skills, coordination and sensory learning
- the little ones discover their interests and talents

An educational toy that engages all the senses

With this interactive educational toy, you have a thoughtfully designed learning aid that supports these developmental milestones. Whether it’s the crinkly strawberry, squeaky lemon, or soft pear, it engages hearing, touch, and sight equally. This not only promotes cognitive development but also sensory perception, gross motor skills and fine motor skills.
With its child-friendly design, this toy is ideal for little hands—and perfect for first learning experiences with colors, shapes, and sounds. This play material offers toddlers a safe, playful introduction to multisensory learning—a real benefit for parents who value educationally meaningful toys. Modern educational approaches increasingly focus on holistic learning toys that stimulate both body and mind.

Soft Toy S

9,99 €

~~9,99 €~~ 9,99 €

Fruits

The 5 Marte Meo elements of play—and how you can implement them with the educational toy

Here are five elements of the Marte Meo method that you can use to support and encourage your child in everyday life—alongside a simple toy that leaves plenty of room for interaction.

1. A relaxed atmosphere creates a development-focused mood

Shared joy creates a connection. When children notice that their actions elicit a positive response, it strengthens their emotional security. It motivates them to keep exploring and trying new things.

Here’s how:
• Speak in an inviting, expressive voice
• Smile and laugh along
• Reflect positive emotions back to them

What it means for your child: You create a trusting atmosphere and convey: “I enjoy playing with you.”

2. Development needs time and space

Many parents want to help and step in early—but children learn best when they are allowed to try things out for themselves. A “wait time” can work wonders.

Here’s how:
• Lean back and give your child time to choose the first play piece themselves
• Tolerate the silence, even when things “stall” for a moment
• Make eye contact and nod encouragingly

What it means for your child: Your child can learn at their own pace and decide for themselves what interests them right now—this strengthens their inner sense of security and self-regulation.

3. Follow Instead of Lead: Enter the Child’s World

Children play according to their own logic. When you follow their ideas in play, you encourage their creativity and spirit of discovery.

Here’s how:
• Let your child interact with the toy without intervening yourself
• Observe: Which texture fascinates them? Which fruit sounds exciting? Which movement do they repeat?
• Pay attention to facial expressions, sounds, and body language

What it means for your child: You show that their ideas matter. This strengthens self-confidence and trust in their own abilities—a vital foundation for later learning and education. Educational theory emphasizes the importance of self-efficacy in play.

4. Name what you see

Language develops through connection. When you describe what your child is doing right now, they not only learn new words but also connect them with concrete experiences.

Here’s how:
• Give your child’s actions the right words (“Your child acts – you name it”)
Use simple sentences: “You’re squeezing the lemon – it squeaks. You find that funny.” Or: “You’re stroking the pear – it’s very soft.”
• Avoid questions, as these can make children feel uncertain

What it means for your child: Your child feels seen and understood. They receive words for what interests them right now—and therefore words that support their language development. They experience “feedback,” which gives them an inner Textured structure and awareness of what they are currently doing, seeing, feeling, or expressing through sounds.
And in the process, you also strengthen your bond through your loving and appreciative partnership in play.

5. Repeat and actively accompany

If your child spends a long time with one fruit—wonderful! They would switch when they were finished. Going along with them shows that their way of playing is valuable.

Here’s how:
• Repeat what your child is doing (“You keep pressing the lemon—it makes a funny squeak!”)
• Stay attentive and present

What it means for your child: This form of support gives your child Textured guidance and orientation, and strengthens the bond between you. In education, this is referred to as the importance of emotional security for successful learning.

Conclusion: Make a big impact with small nudges

The combination of caring play support and thoughtfully designed toys such as the Sterntaler fruit toys shows how early childhood development can be fostered in everyday life. You don’t need complicated learning programs—your presence, interest, and attentive support alone make all the difference.

This turns playtime into genuine developmental time—for social skills, emotional security, language, motor skills , and cognitive development. Educational theory offers numerous approaches for this, supported by research and social pedagogy.
Give it a try and discover how much fun it is to learn together.

Edina Weth Weil

As a qualified educator and Marte Meo counselor, she is a mother of two and is passionate about supporting and encouraging families. Her positive attitude and empathy make her an inspiring source of encouragement for parents and children alike.

Mehr Informationen über Edina Weth Weil findest du hier.

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