Does Your Child Have a Balanced Play Diet?

By Carmen Markowski, Discovery Toys Group Manager

Does your child have a balanced play diet? This may seem like a funny question to some. When we hear the word diet we think of food. Just as our bodies need different kinds of food to grow healthy and strong, our children need different kinds of play to help them develop all areas of their brain.

The play experiences your child needs will change as they grow. Its important to be aware of the different ages and stages of your child so you can choose appropriate toys and games for them throughout these early years. Keep in mind, just as we dont let our children choose what they eat for every meal (I know my son would choose candy bars!), it is wise to take the same position with their play diet. Some pop culture products are great but a toy room filled with tv characters may not give your child the balanced play time they need for healthy brain development. Everything in moderation, including candy bars and tv character products!

Listed below are some basics when it comes to selecting playtime items for your little one, starting from birth to approximately aged ten.

Babies from newborn to six months will not necessarily need a variety of play activities, as most of their time will be spent sleeping or feeding. However, they will need play experiences which stimulate the senses. Toys which have a variety of textures, sounds, bright colors, and a scent, will stimulate the senses, helping babies to discover the world around them, and at the same time promote healthy brain development.

Babies from six months to eighteen months will still need toys which offer a sensory experience, however, these little ones will be sitting up and starting to move. Cause and effect toys, where the baby (or parent) pushes down on something and the toy scoots forward, will encourage the baby to crawl or walk. Now begins their journey with fine and gross motor skills. Stacking cups and blocks, push or pull toys and books will become the corner stone of your playroom.

The eighteen months to two and a half year old toddler will continue to benefit from sensory toys. They still need lots of practice to develop those fine and gross motors skills. Outside playtime will become essential as they learn to balance on their legs, maneuver over/under/along play structures, and toss or catch a ball (more tossing than catching at this point!). Play items will include more cause and effect toys, shape sorters, puzzles, anything that gets them active (clapping, waving, playing a drum!) and of course lots of books!

Have you ever noticed how the preschooler plays with their toys? They never seem to play with it in the way it was intended! This age brings on a whole new realm of play. They are explorers! The best toys for preschoolers (ages 3 and 4) are opened-ended. Toys which can be used in many ways will hold their attention for longer and allow them to learn at their own rate. An example of an open-ended toy is Busy Bugs from the Discovery Toys line. Thirty-six bugs...six different kinds of bugs, six different colors. The set comes with some cards for sorting the bugs and making patterns. There is a parent guide with a variety of activities, from making Bubbly Bug soup (pretend of course!) to a game of hide and seek with the bugs. However, the three and four year old will find endless activities with the bugs...like driving them around in one of their trucks to start! Games will also become an important part of their play diet. Simple games will help them learn about turn-taking, counting, and hopefully other concepts like colors, shapes, or letters. Continued play with puzzles will help with pre-math concepts. Lacing and building toys will further develop fine motor skills. Also, daily outside time and reading will promote healthy brain and body development.

The school-aged child (ages 5-10) will benefit from language and math games. Children of this age love to learn! What better way to learn than through a fun game. This is also a good time for parent-child bonding. Games night with the family will become cherished memories for your child! These older kids continue to need building toys, for the fine motor skill development and the problem-solving component. Remember when you were seven and tried to piece together a model? Lots of problem-solving in building! Toys or games which challenge your childs mind or challenge their coordination will be beneficial as well. And of course, books, books, books!

When it comes to the play diet, think balance...some books, some building, some active play. Try to limit their television and video game playing. Your children will thank you for this when they grow to be social, health conscience, bright! individuals with fond memories of their childhood and their playtime with YOU!

You can visit Carmen's Discovery Toys website at: www.discoverytoyslink.com/carmenmarkowski