Not only is this kind of role play excellent for easing kids’ fears about doctor visits, it also encourages empathy. Why it’s great: The doctor will see you now! This wooden play space has everything kids need for imaginary visits to the doctor's office! Kids can be the patient or the doctor, the receptionist, or the nurse. Sweet detail: Pieces stick together with self-stick tabs and can be sliced with the rolling wooden cutter.Ĭountless Ways to Play: Challenge kids to stack all of the wooden topping pieces on the wooden paddle, and then to run to a designated “finish line” without toppling the topping tower! Get Well Doctor Activity Center Why it’s great: Create made-the-way-you-like-it pretend pizza with this 34-piece wooden play pizza-making set with counter/pizza oven. Which group has the most scoops? The least? Then have them count the scoops in each group as they stack them. Skills : Fine motor development, creative thinking, confidenceĬountless Ways to Play: Have kids sort the ice cream scoops according to details you give, such as those with chips and without, vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, and "other," or flavors they like and those they don't. Sweet detail: The scooper first into a hole on top of the scoop to lift, stack, and release! The wooden counter holds eight wooden scoops of different-flavored ice cream, six toppings, a scooper, tongs, and a wooden spoon. Why it’s great: Kids can pretend to work at an ice cream shop, taking and filling orders. Sweet detail: There’s even a neck “cone” to keep pets from licking!Ĭountless Ways to Play: Set up an animal hospital! Arrange an exam room, as well as a waiting area filled with stuffed animals, chairs, and some reading material for the pet owners. The set was recognized by the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute for how it helps kids develop empathy. Why it’s great: This 24-piece pretend play collection comes with two plush pets (dog and cat), and accessories galore for kids to examine and treat any ailment. Besides sandwiches, what can be made with the ingredients? Talk about what each food tastes like and which are favorites. Sweet detail: An illustrated guide helps with sandwich prep and shows kids how to use the slicer.Ĭountless Ways to Play: Have kids sort the food pieces into groups: meat, cheese, toppings, and snacks. There is a wooden dressing bottle, play snacks, and a cup with drink insert to round out meals that customers can pay for with the included play money! Why it’s great : The sturdy wooden deli counter includes a play meat and cheese slicer for the wooden play food, and felt sandwich roll and toppings to create sandwiches ordered from the menu. (List-making and following a plan are great for executive functioning skills!) Slice & Stack Sandwich Counter S kills : Creative thinking, language developmentĬountless Ways to Play : Suggest making a list and going on a pretend shopping trip to stock a kitchen. Don’t forget the Fresh Mart Grocery Store Companion Collection to help stock the shelves and add to the playful purchasing experience. Kids can take turns being the grocer or the shopper. Why it's great: So many realistic details, including a hand-crank conveyor belt, a card-swiping machine, a keypad/calculator, and a cash drawer. Skills : Gross motor development, confidenceĬountless Ways to Play : Have kids pretend to be in a band and use the cleaning tools as “musical instruments”! Grocery Store Sweet detail : The dust pan snaps onto any of the handles! Why it’s great : Kids love imitating grown-ups, and this realistic 6-piece cleaning set will have them tidying up in no time! We’ve included extra play ideas for each to keep the imaginative play going! Dust! Sweep! Mop These pretend play toys can help build kids’ creative thinking skills and so much more. This is the first in a series of blog posts on the skill-building power of different types of play. “It was like they had looked through our catalog!” “When we saw that an organization of 67,000 pediatricians was putting on record that the best toys for kids are the classics like puzzles, dolls, blocks, vehicles, and toys that get kids pretending and using their imagination, it was a validation of what we’d been doing for three decades!” said Melissa, co-founder of Melissa & Doug. It’s so important, pediatricians are even writing prescriptions for it! That’s why at Melissa & Doug we are so excited to be partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), an organization of 67,000 pediatricians, to champion the health benefits of open-ended, creative, brain building play. Open-ended play is essential for children’s healthy growth and development.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |