PHILADELPHIA (WTOL) – For parents, the toy market can be overwhelming. Which toys are actually beneficial for children? A new study found that simple interactive toys can help kids have fun and learn at the same time.

When Laurel and Lindsay Duplicki play together their mother, Sandy, tries to give them something constructive or creative to do. Child psychologists said that is a good idea because certain types of structured play can entertain, as well as build skills for children as they grow.

 "Everybody says, ‘Oh they are just playing' as if you can't be learning and playing or working and playing at the same time. Nothing could be further from the truth," said Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a psychology professor at Temple University.

Researchers at Temple University's infant lab found when children played with construction blocks with their parents, they used words such as up, down, and on. These are concepts which doctors said are important for understanding math, engineering and science.

Investigators observed families in three situations: "free play" with any toy, "preassembled play" with blocks that have a fixed structure, and "guided play" with blocks including instructions for building a structure. Investigators found "guided play" was the most effective because parents and children spoke the same language.

"Parents used spatial language more when they interact with the blocks," explained Nora Newcombe, psychology professor at Temple University.

Researchers said this shows playing with an interactive toy is more beneficial to the child than playing with a toy that is preassembled, especially when the parent is involved.

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