Experts agree that young children do a great deal of their learning and growth through unstructured play. Guidelines from the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), two respected professional associations, affirm that play is essential for all children’s healthy development and learning across all ages, domains, and cultures. Play does the following:
• Enables children to make sense of their world.
• Develops social and cultural understandings.
• Allows children to express their thoughts and feelings.
• Fosters flexible and divergent thinking. n Provides opportunities to meet and solve real problems.
• Develops language and literacy skills and concepts.
Sometimes all that means for a child is a big cardboard box and a couple of wooden mixing spoons. But, even though a child would sometimes prefer the box to the toy, the toy may eventually get the playtime. Here are some suggestions when you find yourself stumped in the toy aisle:
• Problem solved: Toys that help organize, sort or involve a puzzle situation can be great tools to help babies start to develop concentration and problem-solving skills. Look for the types of toys that have adjustable skill levels.
• Music to baby’s ears: Playing with toys that have action words, games and songs is a great way to improve baby’s coordination and start language development. • Creative genius: Brightly colored toys and tools that allow children to experiment with art – be it crayons, paints, paper or even play dough – all are great for exercising the imagination and help develop manual dexterity.
