Made for Play
Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.
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Unlocking the Power of Play: 4 Essential Types to Inspire Your Child
We love talking about kids’ play almost as much as we love developing open-ended, play-focused toys. Because we believe play is so much more than entertainment. It’s a brain-boosting, vocabulary-building, social-skill-teaching wonder. Just as your kiddo needs a varied diet, they need different types of play – and these four are a great place to start! Here are four essential types of play that help your child learn, grow, and thrive! Constructive Play Constructive play is anything that involves kids building with toys like building blocks, play dough, train sets, and craft materials. This type of play looks like it’s all fun and games, but it can also indicate whether kids are hitting developmental milestones. Babies between 14 and 20 months should be able to stack two blocks together, then four blocks by 17 - 24 months, and finally six blocks by 20 - 30 months. Experts use these benchmarks to gauge whether your child’s hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and cognitive skills are developing as expected.Constructive play has also been associated with kids’ performance in school, especially in math. In one study, kids who created more complex structures around age 4 were more likely to have higher math scores later in life. This type of play has also been linked to improved spatial reasoning, stronger language development, and more creative problem-solving. Dramatic/ Pretend Play Dramatic play happens when kids take on a “role” and act it out. It can be as simple as playing chef in their play kitchen or as whimsical as pretending to be a fairy astronaut in space. Either way, kids are benefitting from their made-up scenarios… especially when you join in and play with them! For younger toddlers, pretend play often looks like acting out aspects of adult life – even the ones that might seem dull to us like sorting mail or folding socks. This type of play helps them make sense of the adult world and build essential life skills.For older kids, pretend play takes on endless possibilities. When they act out real-world scenarios (even with a little fantasy twist), they rehearse the social norms of everyday interactions, building their confidence and vocabulary. When they pretend to be another character or person, they practice putting themselves in someone else’s shoes, helping them develop empathy and social understanding. And of course, pretend play is hugely important for helping kids develop their creativity! Active Play Running, jumping, hanging, climbing, etc. are all part of the active play category, and as you could probably guess, this type of play is critical for kids’ physical health. As they engage in high-energy activities (ideally outside), they’re not just strengthening muscles and getting exercise. They’re developing strong bone density and robust vestibular systems (the bodily system that’s responsible for balance and spatial awareness.)Active play has tons of less obvious benefits too. Kids who get more activity tend to sleep better at night, have an easier time focusing on academic tasks, and are less likely to struggle with anxiety and depression, Social Play All of these types of play can be combined with another critical type: social play. Whether it’s playing tag, building a tower together, or playing house with a friend, social play fosters social and emotional development as kids learn to interact with their peers. When kids pretend together, each pretend scenario comes with a kind of unspoken social contract as kids decide what they are going to be and how their make-believe world works. If they want to change something about the scenario, they’ll need to communicate and get their friends on board.But don’t worry if it seems like your toddler isn’t exactly interested in social play yet. Sociologist Mildred Parten broke down kids’ stages of play into six distinct categories, all of which involve different amounts of social interaction: Unoccupied play occurs when very young babies observe the world around them with interest but don’t try to interact with it yet. Independent play occurs when a child plays alone. It usually begins around age 2 and lasts through childhood. Onlooker play is most common around ages 2 and 3 and occurs when kids simply observe other kids playing but don’t join in. Though it may seem like they’re not doing much, they’re actually soaking in a ton of information on social norms and how older kids play together. Parallel play is also common around ages 2 and 3. In this case kids are playing near each other, often doing similar activities, but aren’t really playing with each other yet. Associative play is similar to parallel play but with a little more social interaction as kids may talk to each other and influence each other’s activities (like making suggestions for their block tower or trying to copy a friend’s drawing). This type of play is most common between ages 3 and 4. Cooperative play is what we’re likely thinking of when we picture traditional “social play.” Kids are truly playing with each other, not just near each other, and are interacting and communicating. This type of play emerges as kids’ favorite way to interact with their peers around age 4 or 5. Each of these stages is important, so don’t worry if your little one is more of an onlooker than a “jump-on-in” type. They’re still picking up valuable social skills that will benefit them later when they do engage more in cooperative play! Helping Your Child Engage in Different Types of Play Helping your kiddos get enough of each type of play is simple. As long as they aren’t spending too much time on screens or at scheduled events, they’ll naturally seek out these types of play on their own. Our job is simply to provide a few open-ended toys that support each type of play, give them plenty of free time to engage in play, and join in on the fun!Use our Shop by Skills page to easily find toys that foster these different types of play and the developmental skills associated with them!
How to Help Your Child Focus and Concentrate
Kids aren’t exactly known for their ability to focus for long periods of time. You can chalk some of that up to their natural attention spans (which aren’t that long to begin with). Combine that with our multi-tasking, tech-distracted tendencies, and you’ve got a recipe for kids who struggle to focus for even short periods of time. Thankfully, we can help our kiddos grow their focus and concentration over time with intentional changes to our routines, spaces, and instructions. Here’s what you can do! Take Frequent Breaks Keep in mind that we can only expect kids to concentrate for so long. In general, experts agree that kids should be able to focus for 2 - 5 minutes times their age. So a 5-year-old should be able to focus on a task for 10 - 25 minutes at a time. But this will vary depending on a ton of factors. Kids who are hungry, thirsty, tired, or emotional may have far shorter attention spans. Likewise, if kids have already been focusing for long periods of time throughout the day at school, it may be tougher for them to focus on tough or “boring” tasks at home.One way to help kids reset and restore focus is to take frequent breaks according to their age and attention span at that moment (i.e. tired or “amped up” kids might need more breaks). These breaks can vary by time and activity according to what your kids need at that moment. Kids who need to get up and expend energy will benefit from playing actively outside. Kids who are hungry could use a snack break, etc. With a little time and observation, you’ll learn to pick up on cues from your kids that indicate they need to take a break and come back to the task at hand later. Remove Distractions We probably know to remove external distractions when kids need to focus – turning off screens, reducing noise, keeping the area tidy – but we should try to reduce internal distractions too. Temperature, an uncomfortable chair, or hunger can be just as distracting as the TV. Set Up a “Focus” Space With that in mind, it’s great to set up a space that’s always distraction-free for kids to focus on their homework and other tasks. A kids desk in a quiet area of the house is ideal. Since they’re ergonomically correct for tiny bodies, they’ll help reduce internal distractions like straining to reach a tabletop that’s too tall. Eventually, their brain will come to associate that space with quiet, focused work time instead of eating, playing, sleeping, or watching TV. Focus on One Thing at a Time We’ve all heard it before: multitasking actually reduces performance, and none of us really multitask that well. This is especially true when it comes to kids. They’re probably not trying to cook dinner, listen to a Podcast, and respond to emails at the same time, but they may be trying to lay out all of their homework and jump from task to task. Encourage them to focus on one assignment, one problem, one question at a time without looking ahead or switching to a different task. Break Down Big Tasks When kids find a task overwhelming, they’re more likely to lose focus or give up altogether. Whether it’s cleaning their room or finishing a project for school, help them out by giving them one simple instruction at a time. When that step is complete, move on to the next, taking breaks as needed.Remember, to keep your expectations realistic and stick with good attention-building habits. Overtime, you’ll help your kids develop skills that will help them succeed in school and beyond!
Complete Guide to Preschool
Parenting decisions are tough. Even the little things like choosing a multivitamin can feel ridiculously important. And the big decisions like where and when to send them to school? Talk about pressure. But no worries – we’re here to help! Our Complete Guide to Preschool can help you cut through some of the stress as you pick when and where you send your child to preschool and how to get them ready for the big first day! When Do Children Start Preschool? First, let’s be clear that there is no one right answer! When we think of preschool, we often think of the year right before kindergarten (often referred to as 4K). But preschool can *technically* start at any age. Even childcare facilities that accept infants often refer to themselves as preschools. In general though, what most people think of as “real” preschool activities –i.e. kids making crafts, singing songs, sitting in circles for storytime, and learning letters and numbers – start around two years old. Of course, that doesn’t mean your child needs to start at two years old. While kids do benefit academically from preschool, just one year in 4K is enough to give them those benefits. If you want them to start earlier, that’s great too! No one knows your child, what they need, and what they’ll enjoy better than you. Choosing the Preschool That’s Right for Your Family Full Time vs. Part-Time If you’ve looked up potential preschools, you’ve probably noticed that they describe themselves as full-day, part-time, or morning. Full-time preschools follow regular school hours, while “part-time” usually means school is 3-4 hours in the morning or that you can send your child just 2 or 3 days a week. If you think your child (or you!) aren’t ready for five days a week, part-time options can be great! Educational Models There are so many educational philosophies and pedagogies that we could never list them all, but these are a few of the more popular ones you’re likely to come across: The “traditional” preschool usually involves some circle time, a few teacher-led lessons, time for free play, and enriching activities like music and art. Most public preschools fall under this umbrella, though the exact curriculum will vary from school to school. Montessori preschools are child-led with stations children can choose to “work” at on their own. They emphasize practical life skills and learning through tangible materials. Lessons are often given to just a few students at a time as the classroom “guide” models how to use the materials. In the preschool setting, you’ll find a range of ages in one classroom (usually 3-6), allowing the kids to learn from and teach each other. Waldorf schools are similar to Montessori schools in that they are both child-led and emphasize children’s independence and innate ability to learn. The Waldorf approach places greater emphasis on the arts, fantasy, and children’s imaginations, whereas Montessori tends to focus more on practical life skills. Play-based preschool is an umbrella term. It’s sometimes used to describe Montessori and Waldorf schools, but some play-based preschools don’t specifically follow those philosophies. These schools tend to be less concerned with academic milestones (such as recognizing letters and knowing their sounds) and more concerned with how children develop creativity, confidence, social skills, and pre-academic skills through play. A lack of structured lessons doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a free for all – with thoughtful materials and knowledgeable teachers, kids still grow and learn in play-based preschools. Other Factors to Consider Of course, there are plenty of other factors that will influence your decision. Here are some of the things you might want to consider: Student to teacher ratios Class size What ages can attend Availability of outdoor play areas Approach to discipline Your initial impressions when you meet the teachers and directors Availability of after school care if you need it Food and snack choices Distance from your home Cost We know – tough! If you're struggling to narrow down your options, we recommend making a spreadsheet of all the local schools you’re considering. Make columns for things that matter to you to keep a running list of pros and cons – it’s way too easy to forget which school is which when you’re still in the online research phase. Applying & Registering Once you’ve narrowed your options down, you can start scheduling some tours. Come prepared with questions, take notes, and add it all to that master pro-con list. They’ll likely walk you through the application process and send you home with any relevant forms. Once you’ve made your decision, send in that application ASAP. Preschools usually start accepting applications early in the spring semester for the following year, and spots can fill up fast! Some preschools will perform low-pressure evaluations as part of their admissions process (often just for 4K). They’ll often subtly check children’s fine motor skills by seeing how they hold a pencil, note their social skills, and might ask them to count or recite their ABCs.Once you’ve secured a spot at your preschool, it’s usually just a matter of paperwork before you’re ready to start. Other than the school’s forms, you’ll usually need shot records, copies of insurance cards, and proof of address (if using a public preschool). Preparing for Preschool Now that your kiddo is all registered, what should you do to help them thrive in the classroom? Well, we have good news – you can take the pressure off when it comes to preparing your child for preschool! Preschool is the prep work for kindergarten and beyond, so there’s zero need to make sure they know all the letter sounds or can count to 100 before they go. That being said, you do want to help make preschool a positive experience for them, so try to help them understand what they’ll do at preschool and get excited about it! Read Books about going to Preschool There are a ton of great books that will help kids learn what they can expect at preschool and address any fears they might have about their first day. Rosie Goes to Preschool by Karen Katz goes through an entire typical day at preschool – and makes it look super fun! Preschool, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg turns the typical first-day fears on their head as the brave brand new preschooler tells the mom not to cry and that she can go home. In Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool, your kids can see how much fun one of their favorite characters has at preschool. There are tons of other books too, both for purchase and, more likely than not, for free at your library. Meet the Teacher Take advantage of Meet the Teacher nights and school tours. The more familiar your littles are with the people and places they’ll see at preschool, the fewer first-day jitters they’ll have. (Maybe?) Get Potty Training Done So this one definitely depends on your little one’s age. If they’re going to 4K for the first time, potty training is probably way behind you. If they’re attending a two-year-old’s class, most schools won’t require them to be fully potty trained before starting. But three’s – that’s where you might have to get the potty training train rolling. Most schools will require them to be able to use the bathroom independently by the time they enter a three’s classroom, so if it hasn’t happened yet, add it to your preschool prep to-do list (ideally at least a few months in advance). Get Crafty at Home Arts and crafts time is a given at basically any preschool! Of course, you definitely don’t need your littles to be master artists before preschool, but they are likely to feel more confident if they’ve seen similar materials at least once before. If you haven’t already, try introducing simple craft supplies like glue sticks, safety scissors, craft pom poms, popsicle sticks, metal brads, stencils, and stamps at home. You can create adult-directed crafts together and let them get creative and do their own thing – they’ll probably do a bit of both at preschool too. Clean Up, Clean Up Clean-up time is likely to be a part of the day, so it’s always great to practice picking up toys at home. Perfection isn’t the goal – just try to get your child used to picking up with a positive attitude when you transition between activities. (We know that’s easier said than done, so check out our tips on turning kids’ chores into fun!) Your kiddo’s teachers will definitely thank you! Set Up Some Play Dates Under normal circumstances, kids have probably played with plenty of other kids by the time they’re headed to preschool. In the midst of the pandemic, however, those park days and play dates may have been few and far between. If you feel like your child has suffered socially as a result, know that so many parents have the same concerns. Let go of any guilt, and remember that they don’t need perfect social skills (as if that even exists!) before they start preschool. Preschool is the training ground for interacting with peers, so in all likelihood, you’ll see those social skills blossom as the year progresses. If you’re especially worried that they’ll have a tough time starting out, try scheduling a few playdates with a few friends at a time before the first day. You’ll get a chance to see how they do in a group, and you can give their teacher a heads up on any obstacles your child faces when interacting with their peers. For more tips on starting the school year off right, check out all of our Back to School Tips
Benefits of Climbing for Kids
If you’re a parent, you don’t need anyone to tell you that kids love to climb. You’ve seen it for yourself first hand as your toddler scales the furniture or your kindergartner attempts to climb any tree with a branch within reach. But do you know why kids have a natural drive to climb? Read on to find out and learn how you can support this important developmental activity! 1. Vestibular system development We do a ton of things to support the development of our kids’ fine and gross motor skills, language, and cognitive function. But their vestibular system? Not something most of us have heard of. Our vestibular system is largely responsible for our balance and how well we can orient ourselves in a space without the use of our other senses like sight and sound. In other words, if you can close your eyes, stand on one foot, and still keep your balance, you have a strong vestibular system to thank for that!Climbing, spinning, and hanging upside down are some of the best ways to support the development of the vestibular system. It’s thought that this is why young kids are so naturally drawn to these behaviors! Providing safe opportunities to climb is a great way to help your kids develop strong balance and enjoy physical activity throughout their lives1. 2. Risk-taking play Risky play may not sound like a great idea… but most psychologists consider it an important part of childhood and healthy development2. When kids engage in risk-taking play (like climbing high or jumping from the swings), they learn to evaluate risks, take caution, and gain confidence3. So, while we’re usually tempted to shout “Be careful!” at the first sign our kids are going to climb that ladder too fast or try to go down the slide backward, we better serve them when we let them explore age-appropriate risks.Of course, there is such a thing as too much risk, and parents should always make sure their kids are taking risks within safe contexts. (Free play at the park? Sounds great. Playing in a busy street? Not so much.) Kids climbing structures provide a great balance of safety and reasonable risk for most age groups, allowing kids to have fun and explore their natural desire to take risks.. 3. Memory and cognitive function Research suggests that climbers can provide cognitive benefits as well as physical ones. One study found that participants’ working memory improved after engaging in dynamic activities like climbing and balancing4. Researcher Ross Alloway points to benefits for kids as well as adults: “By taking a break to do activities that are unpredictable and require us to consciously adapt our movements, we can boost our working memory to perform better in the classroom and the boardroom.” 4. Strength, coordination, and exercise It’s no surprise that climbing helps kids develop strong muscles and motor skills. Toddlers are naturally driven to climb to develop their gross motor skills5, and this inclination lasts well into school-age years as kids continue to develop their coordination and muscle strength. Providing opportunities to climb helps kids easily fit in the CDC’s recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day6– something that is becoming tougher to accomplish as screens compete for kids’ time. KidKraft’s climbers and swing sets are a fun, safe way to do just that! (To see all of our swing sets specifically built with climbing in mind, select “Rock Wall” under the Play Features drop-down menu to refine your search results.) 1 How to Improve the Vestibular System2 Children’s Risky Play from an Evolutionary Perspective3 Why Kids Need to Take Risks in Life4 Climbing a tree can improve cognitive skills, researchers say5 Why Is Your Toddler Climbing on Everything?6 How much physical activity do children need?
5 Easy Recipes for Kids to Facilitate Learning in the Kitchen
Your house is already equipped with one of the best teaching tools around your kitchen! Helping out in the kitchen provides kids with a variety of sensory experiences, a sense of independence, practical life skills, cultural awareness, early math skills, and rich daily experiences to fuel their dramatic play. And no worries if you’re not much of a cook yourself – kids don’t need complicated recipes to learn in the kitchen! Here are 6 easy recipes for kids to help facilitate learning Gluten-free Cheese Crackers Image from The Big Man’s WorldThis cheese cracker / chip recipe may be from The Big Man’s World, but it’s the perfect easy snack for little hands to make! These healthy take on cheese crackers have just a few ingredients and can be baked to your desired texture. Bake slightly less than the recipe recommends for a softer texture, or bake for the full time for a crisp, chip-like texture.Kids will love all the fun tools they get to use with this recipe: big spoons or whisk to mix the melted cheese and almond flour, rolling pin to roll out the cheesy dough, and pizza slicer or cookie cutter to cut their crackers. Show them how they can cut the dough into different shapes and sizes, naming each shape as you go! (Just be sure the melted cheese isn’t too hot before you let them handle it!) Cinnamon Apple Crisps Image from Healthy Little FoodiesA healthy kid-friendly snack with just two ingredients? Yes, please. These cinnamon apple crisps are a perfect treat for any time but especially for cozy fall days. Young kids can help sprinkle the cinnamon and arrange slices on the baking sheet, and older kids can help cut the slices. (Just be sure to core the apples first to make them easier to manage, and of course, supervise their use of knives and slicers). Use a variety of apples to teach kids about colors and plant varieties. Equip them with descriptive language for each type of apple: “The green ones are tart and crisp, and these yellow ones are juicy and sweet!” For a fun mini-geography lesson, use a map to show older kids where each type of apple is grown. Tortilla Pizza Image from Healthy Little FoodiesThis easy approach to homemade pizza is another kid-friendly gem from Healthy Little Foodies. This easy lunch idea is perfect for homes with multiple picky eaters because each kid has full reign on their own personal-sized pizza. They can spread their sauce, sprinkle the cheese, and add their favorite toppings. They’ll be having so much fun, they won’t even notice that you’re sneaking in a lesson on circles and fractions as you slice the pizzas together! Kid-friendly Sushi Image from Mindful MommaCooking is a chance to introduce your kids to flavors and cooking practices from around the world! These kid-friendly sushi wraps are a great intro to the salty and umami flavors of soy sauce and nori. Plus, sushi rice is so fun to play, er… “cook,” with! If you’re up for a little mess and creativity, let kids mold the rice into different 3D shapes before adding their desired veggie toppings and wrapping with nori strips. It may not be traditional, but it sure is fun! Fruit Rainbow Image from Two Healthy KitchensEat the rainbow, learn the rainbow! And get in a little protein and healthy fats while you're at it with the “pot of gold” egg! This super simple recipe is a yummy way to help kids learn the colors of the rainbow and why it’s healthy to eat foods of all different colors. This one is simple enough that kids can proudly prepare it in their play kitchen all by themselves! Just provide the cut fruit and watch them get to work! (Make sure to cut grapes and other choking hazards well and always supervise!)Don’t be surprised if your kids want to keep the cooking fun going all day long! While you may not be able to spend all day with them in the real kitchen, a play kitchen and a few realistic accessories are great developmental toys to help them explore that interest through dramatic play!
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5 Easy Recipes for Kids to Facilitate Learning in the Kitchen
Read more - about 5 Easy Recipes for Kids to Facilitate Learning in the Kitchen within Popular Reads -
Benefits of Climbing for Kids
Read more - about Benefits of Climbing for Kids within Popular Reads -
Complete Guide to Preschool
Read more - about Complete Guide to Preschool within Popular Reads
