Play is a mode of discovery and invention. For parents, one of the most important challenges in today's hectic world is ensuring that children have the time and opportunities to engage in the kinds of play that foster their mental and physical growth and encourage their imagination and creativity. For infants and young children, that means following a primary rule: "Less is more." Kids at this age are so good at creating their own learning experiences that there is no need to load them down with meaningless toys or technology.
Pretend play and educational toys and games provide a learning experience that encourages discovery and growth. Especially, if they are designed to be educational as well as fun. Open-ended toys; such as blocks, arts and crafts materials like watercolors and clay, items to stimulate pretend play, as well as books, board games and playing cards, are a good bet. You can also help stimulate your child's natural intellectual growth through verbal interaction and physical activities that entertain, inform, and cause wonder. For instance, magnetic educational toys or activities involving other creatures such as bugs, create an unparalleled sense of wonder.
There are a great many things we can, and should, teach a child. But there are many things he can learn only through self-initiated play. A child has to learn to stand before he can walk. He must learn to walk before he can run. He may fall down a hundred times. You can hold his hand, but he really wants to master the skills on his own. To him, learning to stand, walk, and run is not work, it's a game - a game that not only serves as a means of learning skills, but also as a way of opening up his world.
And, always remember that you are the boss and the child's safety is your main concern.
My business partner has been in the early childhood business for over 25 years. Terry has directed Child Care Centers and been intensely involved in the training of teachers. Everything we have done is for the sole purpose of providing children with the best interactions possible to enhance their learning experience. One of the most positive things about our experience and our store is we have purchased many, many products for the 5 and under age group. To see some of the educational toys and games and other interactive products, such as pretend play, we have selected for this age group, we recommend a visit to http://www.play2learnmore.com
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