Introduce Your Kids to Your Favorite Classic Toys
Remember toys without batteries? Without buttons and video
screens, that involved physical activity? Toys that engaged the
child's imagination? This holiday season, think about
introducing your children or grandchildren to the toys, games,
and books that excited you when you were a kid.
For young children, toys that they can manipulate will entertain
them while they develop essential dexterity skills. Slinky toys,
pull toys, spinning tops, and toy vehicles like trains, tractors
and cars stimulate those neurons as they learn how things work.
Dolls, puppets, and stuffed animals, like the ever-popular
Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, the Lamb Chop puppet that was a
favorite in the fifties and sixties, and all kinds of bears,
give kids something to cuddle while they practice their
communication skills on their little friends.
For older children, board games are a great way to connect with
friends and family. "Chutes and Ladders" is an engaging,
unpredictable game that inspires lots of laughter as players
progress through the ladders, and then suddenly end up at the
bottom of the board as they unexpectedly encounter a chute.
Another vintage game still played today, "Clue" challenges
children's (and adults') logical prowess as they try to figure
out "whodunit."
Don't forget to introduce your children or grandchildren to the
books you enjoyed as a child. "Heidi," "Treasure Island," the
"Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder - the reason you
remember them is that they're classics, well written and as
exciting for today's generation of young people as they were
when you were growing up. Children love to be read to, so
consider these wonderful classics as a chance to snuggle up with
the kids or grandkids as you read to them. Don't forget to
reminisce about your childhood while you're interacting with
them, reading, playing games, or watching them play; this times
are a great opportunity to begin to pass along the family
stories that are so much a part of daily life.
Unplugging your children or grandchildren from the TV, the DVD
player, and the Game Boy will be doing them a big favor. Getting
them involved with toys, games and books that will
stimulate their minds and their hearts will pay off for them for
years to come.