I grew up with two sisters, all of
us just two years apart in age. We spent hours playing, exploring and of
course, fighting from time to time. The toys we most enjoyed playing with
didn't require batteries or have lights or all the bells and whistles. In fact,
the toys we most enjoyed allowed us to explore, learn and create with our
imaginations.
One of our favorite toys was our
toy kitchen. Our dad and grandpa built an amazing wooden kitchen complete with
a fridge, an oven and a cabinet with a sink. We spent hours cooking, playing
house, restaurant and, much to my dad's dismay, washing our hair in the kitchen
sink when we decided to play hairdresser. Fortunately, we got caught before we
managed to cut anyone's hair. The best part of this kitchen is that when
my sisters and I started having our own children, my dad and grandpa made the same
kitchen set for each of our families. My own kids spent hours playing house,
cooking, restaurants and yes, even hairdresser, just like my sisters and I
did!
My oldest playing with the original kitchen.
My oldest and her grandpa ready to play with her
brand new kitchen.
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recently released a statement on toys. Their advice for parents is to choose
"high-quality traditional" toys. Toys that engage children's
imagination and invention and most importantly, toys that parents and children
can play with and enjoy together. The co-author of the paper, Dr. Aleeya Healey,
said, "The less bells and whistles a toy comes with, the more it lends
itself to creative play and imaginative play."
Toys like blocks and puzzles allow
kids to manipulate the pieces and build fine motor skills, as well as, engage
their thinking and problem-solving skills. Props like my kids' kitchen set
encourage creative and imaginative play. Books that can be shared over and over
again can spark children's play and imagination as well. There's no need to
spend lots of money either. Anyone who has watched a young child unwrap an
expensive toy and then play with the packaging knows that sometimes the best
toys are free. Save your recycling. Let your child explore those boxes and just
see what they can create!
So, what
was your favorite toy growing up? Did you spend your time playing with Barbies
or trucks and cars or building blocks or Lincoln Logs? Maybe it is time to
track down some of those old favorites and share them with your child.
