| With more and more of your child's playtime being | | | | your child does need to learn how to play on their |
| dominated by electronic toys, DVDs, TV shows, | | | | own. This is a much-needed skill for those times |
| and video games it becomes more of a parent's | | | | when they must keep themselves entertained or |
| job to help "nudge" your child into developing their | | | | even when they are asked to work independently |
| imagination. Here are 3 ways you can help!! | | | | in preschool or later in elementary school. |
| 1. READ, READ, READ!! Yes, we all hear it all the | | | | 3. Have toys around that will help them to |
| time as a way to help your child learn to read and | | | | develop their sense of imagination and pretend |
| even to help them develop necessary study skills | | | | play. One of the best ways to do that is to have |
| - but this is also a very important way to help | | | | toys around that will give them the ability to |
| them learn to develop and use their imagination. | | | | mimic Mom and Dad and "grownup life." One of |
| Set up a special time to read and spend this | | | | the best things to have for them are play |
| valuable time with your child. When they are able | | | | kitchens, play workbenches, pretend food, dolls, |
| to answer questions about the books, then ask | | | | cars, etc. Children need to just be able to use |
| them what they think will happen next or how | | | | these tools and create their own games and |
| the main characters feel. Help them to actually | | | | adventures. One of the best types of toys are |
| put themselves in the character's shoes. | | | | play kitchens such as the LifeStyle Deluxe Kitchen |
| 2. Let them learn to play on their own. Yes, it is | | | | by Step2. Large enough for several children - and |
| great to get down on the floor and play with | | | | very realistic. Hours and hours of building |
| your child and it's even fun for grownups, but | | | | important skills. |