Encouraging play based learning – Redan

Encouraging learning play-based

Redan Publishing explains the importance of toys on the front of their children’s magazines and the hidden benefits they bring.

Consumer research* carried out in 2022 identified that the most important factor for grown-ups when buying a magazine for a child is that it comes with a toy to play with. And the most important aspect of the toy is good play value.

The toy adds value

Children are naturally drawn to exciting and colourful toys and often pester their grownups for a magazine based on the attraction of the toy on the front. Caregivers are aware that children are more likely to engage with the magazine content if they have been enticed by the toy on the front in the first instance. Some grown-ups even use the toy as a reward to give the child after completing the fun, learning activities within the magazine.

The toy on the front of the magazine is therefore important for both the grown-up and the child.

However, Redan explains that what can often be overlooked, is just how much research and thought is put into the selection of the toy and the value it adds to the overall magazine experience.

The importance of play

“Play is vital to children’s development because play facilitates opportunities to explore, develop and grow in all areas of learning,” explains Redan Publishing’s editorial director, Anita Cash. “Our toys provide opportunities for fun, imaginative, activity-based play and free play, alone, or with parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives and friends – anyone who wants to join in.”

Redan worked with the Department for Education’s Hungry Little Minds campaign to create some free activity sheets. The 16-page “Let’s Play Shops!” activity sheet accompanies Redan’s shopping set toys. As well as ideas for easy low-cost play-based learning utilising the shopping set, the activity sheets contain shop-based print-outs that support play.

Anita goes on to say, “By playing ‘shops’, children learn important skills in their home environment that gives them confidence in the real world, such as, what they might say to shop staff, what the shop staff may say in return, handling money and why do we get ‘change’ back? Our activity sheets indicate the types of play and expected Areas of Learning and Early Learning Goals our toys and the activities support, demonstrating the play-value of our toys and activities.”

Good Play Guide endorsement

All of Redan’s children’s magazines have been tried, tested and endorsed by Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide’s panel of experts and are recommended for helping develop language and storytelling, counting and logical thinking, as well as improving concentration and attention. With one tester, a childminder, specifically praising the toys, “the toys included are very educational and the children used their imaginations to create some lovely games together.”

5 key benefits of magazine toys

In summary, Redan have listed FIVE key benefits to having toys on the front of their magazines.

1. Supports learning through play

Most toys on Redan’s magazines are playsets that spark imagination and encourage children to role play. Popular toys include shopping sets, music sets, phone sets, medical sets and many more. Acting out reallife scenarios helps children to make sense of the world around them.

2. Boosts language and communication development

This type of creative and social play instigated by the toys helps to develop communication and language skills. Whether children interact with their cuddly toys in their bedroom or with their friends and family, the play serves to improve their allimportant vocabulary.

3. Helps promote positive relationships

The toys encourage children to express themselves and to practice vital social skills, which helps them to manage and understand other people’s feelings as well as their own.

Children are naturally drawn to exciting and colourful toys

4. Good for mental health

Another type of play that the toys can prompt is storytelling and make-believe play, offering children an escape into a fantasy world when real life can get a bit much.

5. Motivates children to explore the magazine content

Often the toys are linked to the theme of the magazine and sometimes they are directly linked to the content. This means children are more likely to work through the magazine and complete the activities, which will help them develop in the seven key areas of early years learning and most importantly, boost selfconfidence and provide them with a great sense of well-being.

Source: *Kantar 2022

Redan Publishing (redan.co.uk) creates award-winning children’s magazines packed full of fun, educational stories, crafts, puzzles and activities.