"Walk through any toy store and you will see walls and walls of toys that are loud -- toys that require batteries, have flashing lights, or that look like your child's favorite movie character. What is there for parents who want to raise children with imagination and curiosity? I'll tell you what we do. We choose to fill our houses with the following old-fashioned items.
Books
No house can have enough books. Make sure your house has a representation of great fiction Books and non-fiction books. A mix of the two is very important.
Most homes have a deficit of non-fiction books, so make sure your home is filled with Science, History and Art books. Children need to learn to read and appreciate non-fiction books in order to do well in research when they reach higher levels of study.
Felt Boards
Children love to tell stories with felt. You'll need a felt board to start. You can make your own board from a sheet of felt or purchase a board.
Once you have the board, let the fun begin.
StoryTeller, at http://www.felt4fun.com , has a great line of products -- felt sets, felt books, and so much more. The quality of their products is excellent. Visit their site to get a sample and feel the thick felt yourself. Be sure to check out the dolls with the felt clothing that sticks to them. My daughter loves these!
Also, go to a craft or fabric store and buy sheets of felt in all colors. Then, cut out shapes in all colors and sizes. (You'll be amazed at how quickly a child will make an alien, ship, house, or person out of nothing but a few circles, rectangles, and triangles.)
Blocks and Legos
Children can play for hours building towers, bridges, cities, creatures, and more with these toys that inspire creativity, patience, and small-motor skills. When the masterpiece is finished, have your child pretend to be a giant and smash through the blocks!
Art Supplies
Give your child some crayons, scissors, junk mail, and glue. He or she will be entertained for hours if given encouragement. Please SUPERVISE closely if you don't want your child to have a self-induced bad haircut or attach the dog to her artwork!
Puppets
Make puppets out of socks, paper bags, felt, cloth, or popsicle sticks. Make a stage and tell stories. Get out the video camera and capture your child's brilliance!
Musical Instruments
Whether your musical instruments are home-made with a comb and wax paper or store bought, making music is a wonderful way to spend the day. Teach your child that music can be made from anything, from an old oatmeal container, to scratching two pieces of sandpaper together. Go on a walk and just listen to the sounds of the world -- music is everywhere in our lives.
Dress-up Clothes
Get out old prom dresses, big hats, shirts and ties, old Halloween costumes (or buy extra pieces after Halloween for year-round fun!). Bring out a box of costumes and watch the shows that your children put on for you. Keep a camera handy to capture the fun. Also, keep an eye on the pets. Cats don't always appreciate wearing a sombrero. Trust me, I have the scars to prove it!
Doll-houses
There is nothing more fun than watching your child make up stories as the family members move around in a doll house. Plus, if it is a wooden dollhouse, there is the added benefit of decorating it with some wallpaper scraps and carpet remnants! Your dollhouse could be a family heirloom if you put enough love into it.
In the Kitchen
Kids love to play Kitchen, when it is mixing air, or getting to play with food. Give your child a great time by giving them safe kitchen utensils to play with in the bathtub. Mixing, pouring, and scooping bubbles and water entertains my children long enough for them to look pruny. Or for a fun alternative, give them puffed rice cereal and some bowls and utensils on the kitchen floor. Just plan to vacuum afterwards as there'll be quite a wonderful mess!
About The Author
Nicole is the wacky mom behind http://www.felt4fun.com . She was recently awarded the WAHM Community MVP of the Year 2004 by WAHMTalkRadio.com. Nicole also owns http://www.felt4fun.com - a fun site to inspire parents to keep the lines of communication open with their children.
Copyright 2004 by Nicole Dean - May be reprinted with Author information intact.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareResearched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More
There are several treatment options available to help improve the... Read More
The advances in science over the past century have been... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years.... Read More
Often I will hear parents say, "I just ignore Jr.... Read More
Is there a difference between lazy and unmotivated? Why do... Read More
Young people generally want to fit in to their various... Read More
Recently I took my two children to a popular new... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
In elementary school it's pretty straightforward: bringing in cupcakes to... Read More
How bad is the illegal drug problem here in the... Read More
A learning disability is defined as a permanent problem that... Read More
There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More
How many times have you flipped through the pages of... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
Do you ever wonder what is behind the occasional nasty... Read More
There isn't a school day that goes by that I... Read More
There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
Uh oh.Your kids arrive home with their school reports and... Read More
For several years now, I've told the following story as... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Just the other day my oldest son asked:"Daddy, am I... Read More
During the assessment process it is of great importance for... Read More
Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
Incest is sexual activity, ranging from fondling to intercourse, between... Read More
It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More
The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More
So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More
"I WON'T DO IT!" "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"Whether parent or... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More
The learning and development of Australian kids is under threat... Read More
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More
Is your babysitter watching the kids and your k9 family... Read More
'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children... Read More
Do any other reality TV junkies remember a show on... Read More
Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More
If you are currently homeschooling or considering homeschooling your child,... Read More
It was a hot summer day in august and The... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made.... Read More
Best friends! It may seem impossible to believe, but today's... Read More
It can be hard being a parent with a teen... Read More
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More
Parenting |