| A trip to the local toy store can overwhelm a | | | | for craft projects, and keep plenty of |
| parent with the wide expanse of high-tech | | | | supplies on hand. Always stay well-stocked |
| playthings. What parent hasn't been driven to | | | | with construction paper, glue, paint, and |
| near madness by the repetitive squeal of some | | | | fabric. Craft items such as pom-poms and pipe |
| battery-operated toy? Some such trinkets are | | | | cleaners are also nice, but you can usually |
| even marketed for babies and toddlers, ripe | | | | make do with the creative recycling of items |
| with packaging that desperately tries to | | | | around the home such as toilet paper tubes |
| persuade parents that no baby can be soothed | | | | and paper plates.Explore Your World |
| without the singing, flashing, or vibrating | | | | |
| of the latest innovations.You need not break | | | | Any exploration of the natural world is |
| the bank nor blow a fuse to create a fun and | | | | science to a child, answering the 'what' and |
| nurturing environment for your child's play. | | | | 'why' questions of the world. Go on nature |
| On the contrary, some of the best toys and | | | | walks, and collect botanic materials for |
| games for your child are low-tech, | | | | crafting and studying. Consider a pet, make a |
| economical, and can be enjoyed by children of | | | | home volcano or homemade silly putty for some |
| all ages.Books | | | | introductory lessons in chemistry. Even |
| | | | watching a drop of food coloring in water can |
| Your child doesn't need to know how to read | | | | be a foray into the world of science for a |
| - or even talk - to enjoy a good book. You | | | | young child. If you need help, books and web |
| can even read to an infant, but many children | | | | sites are rich with ideas for parents looking |
| are capable of enjoying books independently | | | | for kid-friendly experiments.Creative |
| from the time they can sit unassisted. For | | | | Movement |
| babies and toddlers, keep an abundance of | | | | |
| sturdy cloth and board books accessible on a | | | | Make sure plenty of movement-oriented toys |
| low shelf. Even randomly pulling books off | | | | are kept outside, such as jump ropes, |
| shelves and examining them without opening | | | | hula-hoops, and sidewalk chalk for hop scotch |
| them is a start. Books with clear pictures of | | | | and other outdoor games. Take trips to the |
| objects and animals can really help foster | | | | park with friends and stay informed of |
| good language development, and when reading | | | | community events and recreation. Many cities |
| to your young child, choose those with a | | | | offer low-cost classes for children such as |
| sing-songy cadence. While books with gimmicks | | | | gymnastics, swimming, dance, sports, and |
| and sounds can be fine in moderation, | | | | martial arts. Local botanic gardens, |
| traditional books are best at building a love | | | | wilderness parks, and zoos are also a great |
| of reading. For older children, slowly expand | | | | low-tech, low-cost way to get some |
| their library to their interests and | | | | exercise.Family Time |
| attention spans, and made reading a special | | | | |
| part of the bedtime routine. To build a large | | | | Consider making the the dining room a |
| collection of quality children's books, visit | | | | TV-free zone, and use the time to talk, tell |
| library book sales and accept plenty of | | | | stories, and laugh together. Consider having |
| hand-me-downs.Open-Ended Toys | | | | each parent put aside special "alone time" |
| | | | with each child to help reconnect and stay |
| To help raise a child that is inventive, | | | | involved. Play plenty of simple board and |
| inquisitive, and curious about the world, | | | | card games to teach your child about |
| build up your toy collection with open-ended | | | | rule-following, human interaction, and good |
| items. Open-ended toys are toys that can be | | | | sportsmanship. And on the next road trip, |
| played with in multiple ways, and appeal to | | | | limit your child to one video, and use the |
| multiple age groups. You'll also find these | | | | rest of the time to enjoy story-telling, |
| are often the most economical toys that can | | | | song-singing, and car games.Of course, |
| also enjoy the greatest longevity in your | | | | battery-operated toys, television, and video |
| home. Building blocks, legoes, simple dolls | | | | games are fun, too, but don't let them |
| and figures, basic cars and houses, and | | | | exclude other kinds of play that are pivotal |
| dress-up items are all good examples of | | | | in the development of your child's sense of |
| open-ended toys. Limit toys that rely on | | | | curiosity, physical health, and emotional |
| batteries or that are themed to a particular | | | | expansiveness. It is easy for a child to |
| movie or TV-show.Arts, Crafts, and Music | | | | become absorbed by these toys, and even |
| | | | easier for a parent to simply enjoy the peace |
| By creating an environment that encourages | | | | that results, but by approaching your child's |
| your child to explore the arts, you are | | | | play with a sense of awareness and balance, |
| encouraging her to develop her creativity. | | | | you will assure a more vibrant, creative, and |
| For independent play, make available plenty | | | | happy home.Jennifer Johnson is a mother of |
| of drawing paper and crayons, draw-and-erase | | | | two children and the primary contributing |
| toys, toy musical instruments, and make or | | | | editor of - a quality site filled with free |
| buy your own play dough. You can further | | | | craft ideas, recipes, and resources for |
| encourage creativity by working on crafts | | | | parents. |
| with her. Buy books or read online for ideas | | | | |