A toy inventor could work for a very long time without coming up with a play material as versatile and enjoyable as sand. Think about it! It can be poured when dry and molded when wet. It can be used in science experiments and art projects. Whether you are digging your toes into it or … Read more
Play is so important to child development that some pediatricians prescribe it. While play can take place indoors or out, when children are limited to indoor activities, they miss out on half the benefits. Outdoor play is more likely than indoor play to be physical and to promote fitness and reduce obesity. It provides exposure … Read more
Five-year-olds live exciting lives! Most children will begin kindergarten sometime after their fifth birthdays. Parents can help children succeed by teaching them to follow directions and by making sure they get enough sleep. And parents shouldn’t hand all the learning activities off to their kids’ teachers. Children can learn in lots of fun and informal … Read more
When you are the parent of a four-year-old, every day is independence day! “I can do it myself” is a common refrain, and your child will play with toys for longer and longer times without needing you to participate. You are still very much needed, however, to keep your child safe, to provide lots … Read more
If you have a three-year-old, you’re three times lucky, because three-year-olds are terrific fun! They still love to play, but they will sometimes listen to reason, and they are learning empathy for others. At some time this year, they will probably complete potty training. Hooray! Developmentally, they are acquiring skills at a rapid rate. They … Read more
Two-year-olds are occasionally terrible, but more often they are terrific! They love fiercely and live entirely in the moment. Developmentally, they are growing by leaps and bounds. Still, the very nature of their growth makes parenting them challenging. They have not learned to think logically, so often want things that are unreasonable. Toddler attention … Read more
Two-year-olds are not logical thinkers. Their attention spans are short. They are known for epic meltdowns. Why would anyone promote playing games with two-year-olds? Isn’t there a reason why even the simplest board games are designated for ages 3 and up? While it’s true that your two-year-old isn’t ready for Monopoly, carefully chosen board games … Read more
Watch a one-year-old engaged in play. See the look of concentration on his or her face. This child is actually hard at work. Play is the major way that babies and toddlers learn. Up until about two years of age, children are in the sensorimotor stage of development, meaning that they learn from using their … Read more
That first birthday for your little boy marks a very large milestone. Just one year ago, he was a tiny infant, completely dependent on your care and protection. Now, at one-year-old, he is starting to become an independent toddler. At this age, he will have just started standing and possibly even walking. He will also … Read more
Being 2-years old can be tough. You are not a baby anymore but you are at the start of growing educationally and emotionally. With all that pressure, having cool toys is what can make a day go by faster and more enjoyable. Little boys are known for being rough and tumble but the toys on … Read more