Crocodile Toys

Originaly published in the October 2009 edition of Cotswold Style

learning with toys Playing with toys is great fun and can support your child’s learning and development, giving them a good start in life says owner of Crocodile toy shop, Mark Mitchell...

The early years are an important time for a child’s development and playing with the right toys and games can really boost creativity and learning.
“Playing with toys satisfies the need for role-playing in a child’s life, giving them the mechanism to develop their manipulative and communication skills,” says Mark Mitchell, owner of Crocodile toy shop in Cirencester, which offers customers two floors of carefully selected toys.

“We select toys that will help a child’s development, giving them a hook to develop their motor and communication skills.

“Wooden toys are iconic and still very popular with children and parents alike, which is important as it encourages interactivity between the parent and child.
“Classics such as the Farm Yard, Doll House and Cooking Set help children to role-play and as they become older they can transfer their playing skills to having a go at the real thing.”

Toys can be geared towards learning as well as being fun including educational toys that cover the National Curriculum, for more specific learning.
“Learning can be found at all ages and so we select toys and games that help in every stage of a child’s development and progression.

“We also test everything that comes into the shop so we don’t just rely on the manufacturer’s tests,” says Mark, who has strived to make Crocodile a destination toy shop for parents and children.

“Children can play with every toy that is in the shop to see how they interact with them which helps parents to decide what toys their children naturally want to play with.”

Advice is all important for parents and Mark is on hand to offer his expertise.

“It’s important for children to also develop their physical skills, getting them away from just sitting in front of a computer screen.”

Physical and motor skills are developed as a child learns to reach, grasp, crawl, run, climb, and balance, so toys that encourage these skills are all important.
Toys can help children to learn about themselves and the world around them, while promoting healthy growth and development, solving problems, enhancing their motor skills and interacting with others.

“We like to think we’re offering parents and children a traditional toy shop, going back to how a toy shop used to be. We’re also planning an interactive window display for Christmas which we hope will be a must-see attraction!”