Australia is home to over 4.7 million children between 0 and 14 years. Play is not only a fun activity for children these days. Modern parents, caregivers and educators in Australia focus on helping toddlers grow physically, mentally, socially and emotionally through creative methods every day. Therefore, they either buy educational games or ensure that the toy they play with helps them learn various skills as they engage in play. Ride-on toys like a ride on firetruck, ride on motorbike, and a ride on car are some of the best toys that tick all the boxes in helping the children through their developmental process.
On the surface, ride-on toys from fire trucks can seem like any other toy that children can play with and shine. But what many don’t see is that they require children to engage their imagination and motor skills as they ride on them. Here are a few other ways they can benefit children in their growth.
They Help the Child Stay Physically Active
Reports suggest that 1 in 4 Australian children are overweight or obese due to their lifestyle patterns and dietary preferences. Lack of physical activity, exercise, unhealthy food choices and increased engagement in indoor videogames has led to obesity. It has led them to develop health issues like heart issues, depression and anxiety at an alarming rate and feel socially isolated. It is a scientific fact that the brain grows and functions better when children are physically active and are exposed to exercise. A ride on firetruck can encourage the child to go outdoors and engage in physical activity, individually or with friends.
They Help Develop Fine and Gross Movement
Children develop their motor skills that include the movement, grip, balance and strength of their hands, legs, limbs and fingers during early childhood. When children are presented with a ride-on vehicle, they strengthen their gross and fine motor skills as they engage in pretend play. It begins with the child approaching the fire truck in all fours, examining it with their fingers, getting on and off the ride-on toy, which requires them to use limb muscles, balance and coordination. As they ride the ride on firetruck, they finetune their fine motor skills by gripping the steering wheel, turning it in the right direction, ringing the bell and moving the water hose around.
They Encourage Pretend Play and Imagination
Being a firefighter holds a place in the list of top ten things that children hope to become as they grow up. Career education must begin from childhood. Ride on fire trucks help children engage in play as they pretend to be a firefighter and create all the scenarios where they could be of use. They can learn the responsibilities of a firefighter and experience their life in the safety of their homes and neighbourhood. They can go around the neighbourhood pretending to put out fires or perhaps save someone’s cat on a tree. Children can develop empathy, care and courage as they ensure that everyone gets out safe. They can also get accustomed to wearing masks to stay safe as they help people. The child can also stop by a grocery store to pick up food for his fellow firefighters. The imagination and creativity are endless with this toy.
They Build the Child’s Vocabulary and Social Skills
As the child uses a ride on fire engine, they have the opportunity to learn and practical experience new fire-related words. For example, smoke, burn, danger, mask, careful, water, fire, hose, hot, cold, up, down, slow, fast, ladder, which helps strengthen their vocabulary. Multiple children playing with different ride-on vehicles or participating as common people can help them engage socially and develop communication s
