The Goddard School Announces Top Toy Of The Year

    KING OF PRUSSIA, PA, December 04, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the national franchisor of The Goddard School preschool system and one of the largest early childhood education organizations in the nation, put this year's most popular toys to the test by their toughest critics - kids! Across the nation, preschoolers at The Goddard School tested and voted on educational toys to determine the favorites. The Top 10 were then put to public vote. The Goddard School is excited to announce that the Giant Roller Ramps - Starter Set by Lakeshore Learning Materials has been Voted #1 in The Goddard School Preschooler-Approved Toy Test.

Toy manufacturers from around the country submitted their best and most impressive educational toys for review by The Goddard School Toy Testing Committee, which is made up of early childhood education experts. The experts determined which toys were most successful at supporting educational skill development while encouraging child-initiated play and collaboration. The committee announced their choice of the top toys, which were then shipped to 50 Goddard Schools in 45 markets throughout the nation. Children ranging in age from six months to six years old tested the toys which inspired their creativity and imagination while also developing their critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills.

After "playful consideration" the children's votes were tallied to determine The Goddard School Preschooler-Approved Top 10 Toys for 2014. The finalists were (in order by suggested age range):
- Rock & Ball by Tiny Love (Suggested Age Range: 3+ Months)
- Green Toys Elephant-on-Wheels by Green Toys (Suggested Age Range: 6+ Months)
- Bunny Peek A Boo by Smart Toys and Games, Inc. (Suggested Age Range: 2+ Years)
- Giant Roller Ramps - Starter Set by Lakeshore Learning Materials (Suggested Age Range: 3+ Years)
- 12 Gel Crayons by Faber-Castell (Suggested Age Range: 3+ Years)
- Arx 2.0 by Fat Brain Toys (Suggested Age Range: 3+ Years)
- OgoDisk Mezo by OgoSport (Suggested Age Range: 3+ Years)
- Primary Science Color Mixing Set by Learning Resources (Suggested Age Range: 3+ Years)
- Smarty Blocks by Fat Brain Toys (Suggested Age Range: 5+ Years)
- 70 Model Building Set by K'NEX (Suggested Age Range: 7+ Years)

"Our annual Toy Test gives Goddard School children the opportunity to explore and discover a range of new toys," says GSI's Vice President of Education, Dr. Craig Bach. "It speaks to the heart of our curriculum, which is centered on play-based learning. The children benefit by developing problem solving skills, the ability to collaborate with others, self-confidence and creativity, and we benefit by seeing which toys, for example the Giant Roller Ramps by Lakeshore Learning Materials, resonate with them, allowing us to better identify high-quality educational resources that children really enjoy."

The public then voted on the toys online from November 3 to November 26, and the Giant Roller Ramps - Starter Set by Lakeshore Learning Materials was voted the Top Preschooler-Approved Toy for 2014. GSI will purchase and donate 100 Giant Roller Ramps - Starter Sets to Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve that distributes holiday gifts to less fortunate children in the community.

For more information on The Goddard School, please visit http://www.goddardschool.com.

About The Goddard School
Learning for fun. Learning for life. The Goddard School celebrates 26 years of using the most current, academically endorsed methods to ensure that children from six weeks to six years old have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life. Talented teachers collaborate with parents to nurture children into respectful, confident and joyful learners. The Goddard School's AdvancED and Middle States-accredited F.L.EX. Learning Program reaches more than 45,000 students in over 400 Goddard Schools in 35 states. The Goddard School's comprehensive play-based curriculum, developed with early childhood education experts, provides the best childhood preparation for social and academic success. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visit http://www.goddardschool.com.

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