In January we bought a duvet for our bed. It came in the mail in a big box. Can you guess what happened with the box?
Yes, it has been in our son's room for over a month! He likes to hide in there with a pillow. He likes to drive little cars on top of it, vroom vroom. He likes to perch his stuffed cat on it. Our friends' two children piled in there with our son, and the three of them giggled in the box. One night my husband managed to tuck himself into it and surprised us with a big peek-a-boo; hilarity ensued, bedtime was delayed. The box has been great.
But it was not designed for months of play in a toddler's rough and tumble world. We will soon dismantle it for Friday recycling. I really enjoy toys like these because they are free, encourage open-ended play, and when they wear out they can be gotten rid of guilt free.
Showing posts with label play. Show all posts
Showing posts with label play. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Articles about Play
Play is so important for children--it helps them discover the world around them, figure out how physics works, and think logically. It also is good for their creativity, social emotional development, and physical development. That's why I wanted our son to go to a school with play-based emergent curriculum rather than one that focused only on ABCs and 123s.
There have been two interesting articles lately about play. One is about a teacher who replaced all of the toys in his classroom with boxes. And the kids loved it. This is especially good to keep in mind with the holiday season coming up. Children really do not need a lot of toys, especially battery-operated ones. Open-ended toys such as balls, blocks, dolls, and containers can be used imaginatively.
Another article talked about how very young children are capable of learning and being logical, if allowed to play and figure things out themselves rather than being directly taught. Recent studies indicate what those of us who work and live with children have already suspected--even before they turn one, young children are capable of understanding jokes, figuring out sequences, and knowing when someone needs a hug.
There have been two interesting articles lately about play. One is about a teacher who replaced all of the toys in his classroom with boxes. And the kids loved it. This is especially good to keep in mind with the holiday season coming up. Children really do not need a lot of toys, especially battery-operated ones. Open-ended toys such as balls, blocks, dolls, and containers can be used imaginatively.
Another article talked about how very young children are capable of learning and being logical, if allowed to play and figure things out themselves rather than being directly taught. Recent studies indicate what those of us who work and live with children have already suspected--even before they turn one, young children are capable of understanding jokes, figuring out sequences, and knowing when someone needs a hug.
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