The Goddard School in Sparta notes the top 10 toys of 2011 that encourage playful learning

Sparta — Children and educators from select Goddard Schools-leaders in early childhood education-have announced their top toy picks for infants through children six years old for the 2011 holiday shopping season. The Goddard School® Toy Test is the only national toy test designed exclusively for children in the preschool age range. After a national call for submissions, Goddard School educators and children evaluated entrants based on a number of criteria, including: Interactive, child-initiated play focus Creative, social or engaging Appropriate for infants through children six years of age “Our play-based FLEX™ Learning Program focuses on the value of playful learning,” said James Freda, owner of The Goddard School located in Sparta. “We feel that our Top 10 Toys list will serve as a great resource for parents, grandparents and other family members as they enter the gift-giving season.” Top 10 preschooler-approved toys (in alphabetical order): Animal Sounds Hay Ride (Learning Curve) Bristle Block® Stackadoos® (B. Toys by Battat) Citiblocs Camouflage 100 Piece Set (CitiBlocs) Citiblocs Little Builders Rattle Blocs (CitiBlocs) Count Your Chickens!™ board game (Peaceable Kingdom) Elemenosqueeze (B. Toys by Battat) Hoot Owl Hoot! ™ board game (Peaceable Kingdom) Little Shopper Playset (Earlyears) Sassy® Sensory Ball Set (Sassy) Soft Chime Garden (Lamaze) For more information on the Top 10 preschooler-approved toys, visit www.goddardschools.com/toys. To learn more about The Goddard School, 973-726-4110 or www.goddardschool.com,