With technology at our fingertips, the desire for imagination has decreased. Why would we create an imaginary world, when there is one on the screen even more in depth and in color than we could have come up with ourselves? On the spectrum of screen-use for children we see parents advocating for two extremes of how much they are willing to use it in their parenting style. But what if you lie in between the two extremes, where does that leave you? It leaves you sitting here reading this blog to finally get to your solution. We have thought long and hard about the toys that still exist without a screen and still draws in your child’s attention. We hope your little ones will enjoy these toy suggestions, and you will notice their creativity and liveliness grow.
Building Blocks
We have all had our fair share of building block moments; playing with them, wanting them, or stepping on them. They have been a staple in the world of children’s toys, but some have forgotten as to why we were once so infatuated with the concept. The good thing about building blocks is that they actually have benefits for both children and adults, so you can hop right back into them and enjoy everything they have to offer:
- Problem solving skills
- Organizational Skills
- Concentration and focus
- Develop patience
- Encourages experimentation
Arts and Crafts
Let us talk about the endless possibilities of arts and crafts for all ages. Arts and crafts are equivalent to receiving a new toy every time your child creates something new. Along with this if you have multiple crafts and rotate them you can elongate the amount of time your child will stay interested. Plus, arts and crafts don’t have to be expensive! Take a trip with your little one to the local dollar store, and browse the arts and crafts aisle. Have your child help pick out some special items they are interested in – construction paper, safety scissors, pom poms, stickers, etc. They will be even more excited to use them being that they helped pick them out themselves! Here are a few more reasons to love arts and crafts for your kids:
- Develops motor skills and strengths muscles
- Improves hand-eye coordination
- Helps raise self esteem and sense of accomplishment
- Enhances decision making skills
- Promotes sociability when your child does arts and crafts with other children
Puzzles/Interactive books
Finally we have the tale older than time; puzzles and books. We have seen that these two stationary pieces bring about many benefits to your little ones and their imagination. Not only does it develop many of the skills listed below but it challenges and exercises their minds. These can also be used repeatedly and can be rotated. As they get better, a good challenge for your child to take on is to see how quickly they can complete the puzzle. As for books both interactive and not, being able to summarize and then one day read it themselves can help encourage the following:
- Critical thinking
- Boost imagination and out-of-the-box thinking
- Problem-solving skills
- Cognitive Skills
- Self esteem
Now do not just take our word for it. Try some of these toys out for your little ones and let us know what worked and did not work. Most importantly, do what you can to limit screen time for your little ones. Have them be mindful, and aware. We have the world at our fingertips with all our gadgets and screens, but we must not forget about the world that is yet to be created beyond them, from their imagination. We hope these tips and reminders of the good that lay within the use of such toys has helped and inspired all you parents whom fall in between that spectrum. Until next time!
Fondly, Dr.Pops
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