Kid's Play- Use the B Rule

By C.J. Schomberg, Parent Educator, Parents As Teachers

In this era of technology, we see the increase of computerization into every aspect of our lives, even the toys with which our children are playing. However, to help young children truly reach their potential, we should limit the time spent with such electronic toys and instead employ the “B” rule.

The “B” rule simply means giving your children books, balls, blocks, and babies (for example, dolls or toys for pretend) with which to play. These toys are powered by your children’s imagination, not batteries. Children can play with toys in these categories over a wide age range of years, making them a sound financial investment as well as a wise educational choice. When you purchase these toys, or toys similar to them in purpose, you are filling your child’s developmental “wells.” You are giving them what they need in areas of language, intellectual, social-emotional, and motor development. Our goal is to continue to fill these “wells” as our children grow from infancy into their elementary years.

The only elements missing from the “B” rule are a couple of “C’s” – communication and creativity. Communication includes someone to talk with the child about what they are doing; someone to model new vocabulary, speech, and language for them; someone to join them in play; someone to provide new play environments (for example, the park, beach, or zoo); someone to answer questions; someone to guide their behavior in play; and especially important, someone to listen to them. Creativity also could be called “the arts” – music, dance, art mediums such as painting and play dough, as well as childhood poetry known as finger plays and nursery rhymes. Art activities are forms of play most definitely powered by imagination.

When providing your child with developmentally appropriate toys for play, keep in mind that play is learning. Every child needs plenty of time to play in order to reach their full developmental potential.


Personal Puzzles

Take interesting pictures of items or characters your child is familiar with out of magazines. Cut the pictures into two, three, or four simple pieces to create a unique puzzle. This activity also can be done with photos of family members or friends. If you want your puzzle to last longer, cover the picture with clear contact paper before you cut.