Home
About Us
Behavioral
Consulting
Educational
Consulting
Contact Us
By Bobbe Branch, Northwest Parenting Consultants.
Article published in The Valley View, August 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
| Articles Home About Us Behavioral Consulting Educational Consulting Contact Us |
||||||
| Have you ever had to clean up toys at the end of a long day all by yourself? Many years spent with children at home and teaching in a Montessori classroom have given me some new ideas for messy play rooms. My experience has shown me that a well-made toy that is designed with wood or other sturdy materials gives the child the incentive to take care of the toy. More is not always better when it comes to children and toys, especially ones with hundreds of small plastic parts. Children can become confused when faced with too many choices and be over stimulated. Toys displayed on shelves at a height for your child to easily reach invite them to play and carefully put them back. Place each toy on a tray or in a box that will open for little fingers without tearing apart. Only put out two puzzles, one set of blocks (20-25), one or two small trains, a couple of trucks, and several musical instruments. Keep these out for two weeks and then rotate something new from the box of overflow toys you have kept. If you have too many, donate some to the local hospital or food bank. Look for smaller toy stores that have a variety of unusual toys that will spark your child's interest and imagination. If your child is interested in make-believe, you can find wonderful puppets and dress up clothes, or a wooden stove or sink can encourage hours of play. Browse the internet looking for educational toys and you will be surprised at the variety available.
By Bobbe Branch, Northwest Parenting Consultants. Article published in The Valley View, August 2006. |
||||||