Dr. Toy's Smart PLAY Smart Toys – Expanded & Updated 4th Edition. Stevanne Auerbach

Watch how he shares and how he plays with others.

      

How does she use toys? Is there a favorite she returns to? Encourage curiosity and initiative. Does she find new uses for her toys?

      

Watch how your child masters skills. Does he take time to discover new ways to play? Is he impatient or easily distracted?

      

Does your child follow directions? Does she use ingenuity?

      

Notice the types of toys with which he spends the most time. What does he most like to do with them? What does he not like?

      When you instill a sense of fun in your youngster, you open her eyes to the most powerful of long-term goals: the eagerness and the motivation to absorb knowledge. To learn!

      A child who plays well is being prepared for academic learning. If he has had a strong, happy, and productive playtime when young, he will be a better student, prepared to make the most of his education. He will have improved concentration, be more focused, and be able to express himself well orally, and in writing.

      If, for example, you have a personal, well-established reading habit, and if you also read every day to your young child, she will enjoy books. Keep in mind that in this era children are exposed to fast-moving information and exponentially advancing technology. Sometimes it is difficult to get her just to sit down and focus on reading. You need to set the example. “Turn off the TV and turn on her mind!” When you have to be away, or as a gift, make a tape of her favorite story. She will love listening to your voice as she follows it in the book (much to the delight of your baby-sitter).

      You might ask your little one’s grandparents to tape stories and send the tape along with the books they read. What a delight to have granny nearby, even when she can’t be there to read before bedtime.

      We want our children to be emotionally resilient, stable, and smart. Use their playtime to achieve this.

       You Are Your Child’s First Big Toy!

      Throughout infancy and childhood, it is how you play with your children, what you do together, and your playfulness and positive responses to their questions that are the crux of their emotional health, well-being, and self-confidence.

      “The family that plays together, stays together,” and has lots more joy together! Keep in mind the real reason, perhaps, for having children. Do your best to give your children happy childhoods. Help them grow and become stable, responsible adults who do not lose their balance, good humor, enthusiasm for life or joie de vivre.

      Recall your childhood memories that keep you in touch with your own child’s world. Your long-term hopes for your child will enable her favorite “Big Toy” to be the best toy of all!

       Every Day Is Playtime

      Remember that your child needs time every day to play. If possible, join him for short periods as you can. In the long run, your child will be happier, brighter, and your relationship will be much better.

       Dr. Toy’s Checklist on How to Make the Best Use of Toys

      

Allow your child to discover the toy and explore it fully.

      

Do not interfere, even when he makes “mistakes,” unless frustration sets in.

      

Rotate the toys your child plays with to avoid his becoming bored.

      

Check on toys frequently to be sure nothing is broken.

      

Create a space for your child to have his or her own play area.

      

Give your child time to replace the toys he’s used.

      

Make sure you have a good mix of toy types and other play products.

      

Be careful that there are not too many playthings out, which may confuse or overwhelm the child.

       Dr. Toy’s Checklist on How to Make the Best Use of Toys

      

Encourage your offspring to balance play with time to read and to exercise.

      

Be a playmate when it fits, and nourish communication skills.

      

If your child is going to play with a board game, be sure he understands the rules of the game. This is a perfect time for you both to play, and talk with each other and have fun.

      

If batteries are required, be sure they are on hand and operating. Test them. Show your child how to turn off the toy if it does not do that automatically.

      

Have fun together every day and enjoy her unique gifts. Notice and appreciate your child’s creative use of toys.

      My daughter, now a young adult with a child of her own, still enjoys playing musical tapes, sharing a board game, and reading excerpts aloud from books. However, as we laugh together we both keep a close eye on her son as he rapidly discovers new objects to play with. I find I’ve shared with my grandson the experiences she had when she was little. There is, I think, great satisfaction in continuity and sharing.

      Perhaps you are a collector of toys: dolls, trains, teddy bears, dollhouses, miniatures. Collecting such childhood treasures is a great delight. So, as you find wonderful toys for your child, think about getting a few special ones for yourself! Wise executives and parents know that a small toy can do wonders for stressful afternoons when one must take some time out. Play recharges the batteries. Look for that executive yo-yo, gyroscope or kaleidoscope, or wonderful toy, doll or teddy bear when you are in your favorite toy store.

      Everyone can enjoy toys—now is the perfect time.

      CHAPTER

       TWO

       Baby

       BIRTH TO ONE YEAR

      Becoming a first-time parent is one of life’s great, stirring experiences, and the first toys for your precious new baby are very special. Most “ladies-in-waiting” and papas-to-be enjoy shopping, looking for ways to set up and decorate the baby’s area, and planning the playthings to buy the new infant. It’s often hard to be practical about these