| It's easy to sit back as a parent and watch your | | | | children benefit from structure because it gives |
| children run around like mad men in an | | | | them parameters to work within. |
| unstructured chaos. We call it "children at play" but | | | | When playing imagination games (being a pirate |
| in reality it's just pure chaos and you're children | | | | trying to recover lost treasure) be prepared to |
| get very little from it in terms of stimulation, | | | | teach. The definition of a parent should be |
| education and character building. | | | | "teacher" because it's up to you to make sure |
| We've all seen the child who has trouble | | | | your children are being mentally stimulated and |
| differentiating from playtime and the times where | | | | not just running through their day mindlessly. |
| we need them to behave like proper young | | | | Before getting involved with kids toys, a new |
| children. If you happen to have a child like this, | | | | game or adventure with your child, do a little |
| you know just what I'm talking about. At any | | | | research on your own so you can bring |
| time you are certain your child will morph into | | | | interesting facts or stimulating questions to fun |
| Super-Man and run off to save the world. They'll | | | | time. This keeps your child mentally involved in |
| most likely hurt their siblings and make them cry | | | | playtime and also helps to build on their |
| in the process. This is not only embarrassing for | | | | knowledge. In the world of video games and |
| parents it's destructive behavior that can affect | | | | televised stimulation playtime is rare and when |
| your child for their entire lives and it's also a | | | | your child does engage in it you can get 10 times |
| learned behavior that can also affect younger | | | | more from it by using education to enhance the |
| siblings in a very negative manner as well. | | | | fun. |
| The good thing is, most of these behaviors can | | | | Building motor skills is another area that is often |
| be modified easily by implementing several small | | | | overlooked but very crucial in your child's |
| tactics that can keep children interested and | | | | development. The term "idol hands" is very true in |
| stimulated as well as developing motor skills, | | | | the fact that when your child gets bored, they |
| knowledge and social skills. Don't get me wrong, | | | | get into trouble. We've all seen it a hundred times. |
| any time you try to add a little structure to chaos | | | | So when you're down on the floor playing with |
| you'll find pit falls and brick walls but the end result | | | | those Magformers, challenge your child to build |
| will be a child who can play and function in a | | | | something specific and build one right along side of |
| manner that benefits everyone. | | | | them. This gives then sensory stimulation and it |
| Trying to build character through play time is one | | | | keeps them involved in the process. Once you |
| of the most rewarding experiences a parent will | | | | build that pirate boat you can float on over to |
| have with their children because it's time you get | | | | your Playmobile Toys village and search for that |
| to spend simply having fun. The first step is to | | | | elusive gold. Your child will appreciate having a |
| set clear ground rules for the game. For example, | | | | swash-buckling partner to help them and they will |
| setting time limit, or sharing requirements will help | | | | be more constructive in the process. |
| you with the structure aspect. Just like adults, | | | | |