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

and making a decision to teach. Writers recall creating fantasy dramas: tales of adventure with roles for everyone, with puppets and dolls, and even the dog.

      Have you ever made a connection like that?

      You have the opportunity to enrich your child with similar, powerful inspirations. You can provide your child with new sensations that do not rely just on products you buy, but on the high value you place on playtime.

      Creative playtime, whether it be with a stick a child has picked up in the park, or a hundred-dollar high-tech game, is what is really meaningful.

      How the child plays, and what he gets out of play, are what’s paramount, not the cost of the plaything.

      A parent’s role is a complex one: so many books to read, so many things to do and be responsible for—food, clothing, health. Equally complex is your child’s social development. Of course, playtime is one area that provides the most fun, relaxation, entertainment—and educational socialization—for everyone.

      During playtime, you can help your little one imagine whole new worlds. Throughout your child’s life, such activities will stimulate creativity, sense of humor, sense of balance and proportion, wonder, reasoning, social development, and much more.

      As I examine with you the different stages of development and suggest types of toys for each stage, you will learn basic techniques to encourage your child appropriately. You will also receive many tips on how to shop, clean toys, store them, recycle and otherwise become an active and more knowledgeable “Play Guide.”

       Dr. Toy’s Questions About Childhood Toys

      

Did you have a lot of different toys to play with?

      

Did you have to share them with other children?

      

When you went to preschool were there ample toys?

      

Did you have good experiences with new playthings that you had never seen before?

      

Were you able to figure out how to play with such items yourself?

      

Did your parents help you figure it out?

      

Did your parents ask you to be quiet often?

      

Did you have a place where you could play?

      

Did your toys break easily or did they last for many years?

      

Did you enjoy playing with many toys? Or only a few?

      

Did you use toys to play games?

      

Did your toys make you imagine wonderful things?

      

Is a particular toy the reason you are now involved in a job or a hobby?

      

Did you have a hobby or a special skill that you enjoyed? Do you now?

      

Was there a special doll, bear, or train that you cherished?

      

Do you remember building with blocks and construction toys?

       Find Playthings

      These days, going into any toy store can be overwhelming. So many shelves are filled with a great many choices in every category! There are so many varieties today that any single store has great difficulty stocking all of them. The store’s buyer has to discriminate and make careful selections. So do you.

      To find the right kind of toys, you may have to visit different toy stores, department stores, gift stores, search catalogs, the internet, craft shows, and also find stores handling secondhand, recycled toys.

      You may start your search by visiting our website (http://www.drtoy.com) on the Internet. Dr. Toy’s Guide is our on-line magazine, which offers most kinds of toys and provides descriptions of over 5000 of our best, professionally selected, award winning products, including toys, books, software, tapes, apps, and much more.

      You may also refer to Dr. Toy’s Smart Play Resources located on the site that we keep as current as possible with a selected list of suggested companies, and web site. On the site are toy stores to help you locate products.

      I have carefully evaluated numerous items over 25 years to make the best choices for the annual “100 Best Children’s Products” and other features. The results are found in Dr. Toy’s Guide and include items for after-school, vacation, plus classic toys, green/eco-friendly and other kinds of toys and play products.

       Wish List

      Look at the different types of playthings. Match them to your child’s skills and interests. For example:

      

Construction products — help develop dexterity and building skills.

      

Board games — help children cooperate and learn with their friends. With your guidance they can also teach how to compete positively, and how to deal well with losing and playing again.

      

Puppets — help develop language skills and improve eye-hand coordination.

       Dr. Toy Suggests When You Shop for Toys

      

Take your child along at least once a year, but it’s best to avoid the pre-holiday frenzy.

      

Make an outing of it. Let him show you the things he likes.

      

Watch what she looks at and is interested in. You will hear about items she’s seen on TV, played with at a friend’s house or talked over with friends.

      

Let him create a “Wish List.” Make notes and make a list of the items.

      

This list is a helpful guide for grandparents, and others who want to purchase a gift for your child.