Play & Praise: Key to Development

Praise Shows You Care

One way to foster better parenting skills is to praise more than you criticize. Praise a job well done. But don’t dole out "false" praise. If, for example, your son is struggling to become an average tee-ball player, don’t praise him by saying, "You’re such a great ball player" just to make him feel good. Instead say, "Your batting has really improved" or "You did a good job." Be specific and fair in your praise. Kids are pretty good at knowing where they stand, and they appreciate an honest appraisal. Praise developmental milestones and academics, but don’t forget to praise attitudes as well. You reinforce good behavior when you tell your daughter, "That was very nice of you to share with Molly." The behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated, so make sure you’re praising the positive behaviors you want to see more of.

Courtesy Growing Child
www.growingchild.com Kid Tips Magazine
www.toytips.com

Toy Tips: What Kids Like at Which Age

Infant: A child's mind matures with experiences, so toys should introduce sight, sound, touch, even taste. Look for bright colors and plush or soft surfaces.

Toddler: Physical play (moving around) is important to develop motor skills. Get them moving as well as doing.

Preschool: Children are fascinated with the how and why of things; feed their creativity.

School Age: Play and cooperation are critical; look for toys that encourage both.

Toys for Boys or Girls

Preschoolers are busy children as they learn about living, behaving, and playing. Speech is developing with a rush. Children talk to themselves as they play and try out new ways to do things. Their experiences are still limited, so they play and talk about what they have seen, heard, and experienced.

In the preschool years, the child’s experiences largely have been centered in and around the home. It is natural and normal, then, for all children to be interested in dolls or substitutes (stuffed animals or teddy bears) and their associated doll beds, carriages, and so on.

Children also are interested in a variety of equipment — trucks, bulldozers, tractors — which they may see operating in or around their neighborhoods.

To a child, then, doll play is perfectly compatible with truck play — the one is not "sissy" for boys nor the other "tomboyish" for girls.

Regardless of sex, children need toys which reflect their total environment. Through play they can practice and learn the language and behavior associated with a variety of toys.

Courtesy Growing Child 
www.growingchild.com

Be a Kid Watcher

Watch your children at play. It will help you know more about their world. You'll become more aware of the things your children are thinking about. You'll find ways to enter their play and support their growing imaginations.

Pretending is an important part of a child's life. It is the way that young children explore ideas, practice new skills, and make sense of the world around them.

Toddlers like to act out single activities with simple props. They may feed their bear a bottle, or pretend to talk on a phone. Compliment your child: "What a good daddy you are." "Teddy sure was hungry!" "You can suggest games of make believe: Let's pretend you're a sleepy cat."