Utah Valley Pediatrics strives to keep parents up to date on the latest health topics and advisories. Our newsletter covers medicine changes and news, pediatric news, seasonal and age specific topics and what's new at Utah Valley Pediatrics.
Archives
Winter 2009
Vol. 2 Issue 4
Medicine Changes and News
You Can Protect Your Child from Rotavirus
Tips for Helping Children Handle Shots
Pediatric News
Studies Link Physical Activity with Better Academic Performance
Pressuring Children to Eat: Winning the Battle, Losing the War
Want to Make Your Children Happier, Healthier, Smarter and More Well-Adjusted? Eat Dinner With Them!
Having the TV on Disrupts Toddlers From Normal Play
Seasonal and Age Specific
Tips for Making Sure Your Child’s Toys are Safe
Contacts
Kevin Moffitt
Administrator
801-373-8930
Katie Jenkins
HR Manager
801-373-8930
Quick Links
Creative Toys for Christmas
Yes, it's Christmas time again, and that means the mad dash to the store to wait in line with everyone else for the latest new plastic technology for our tiny loved ones. We used to buy dolls that laughed, cried, and opened their eyes. Lately, we buy dolls that laugh only when "tickled", say the same one-liners, or come with their own line of clothing and fashion accessories (imagination not required). We used to buy toy hammers and nails that kids could use to construct their universe. Now we buy universes pre-packaged in video games.
But there may be a better way. Think back to last Christmas. You might have seen a tendency in your child to play with the packaging more than with the toys inside. We adults usually laugh at this behavior and throw the packaging away so we can focus our children on the important part of the present — the toy. But maybe our children know something we don't.
Open-Ended Toys
Seen through the eyes of a child, boxes, random bits of cloth, and shiny paper are not junk. They are examples of open-ended toys: toys that can be played with in a variety of ways. Children (and adults too) need to play with open-ended toys in order to develop creativity.
Your Children Need Creativity
Creativity is important even if you don't care whether your child becomes the next Mozart. Creativity teaches problem-solving skills. It teaches adaptability. It can teach cooperation when open-ended toys are used in shared play. And creativity is fun!
Great Open-Ended Toys for This Christmas
Our shiny new toys aren't all bad. However, most of them cost a lot and do very little to help your child's creativity. If you'd like to give an open-ended toy this Christmas but need help brainstorming, here's a partial list of some great open-ended toys.
Art Materials. Children can have year-round fun with construction paper, scissors, glitter glue, pencils, crayons, and modeling clay. Options in this category range from thrifty ($1.00 for a 24-pack of crayons) to pricey (name brand oil paints). There's no need to go overboard. Some basic crayons, paper, and glue will make most kids happier than fancy pastels, art paper, and gesso.
Transportation. There is no need to buy your child a real car. Something minimal with wheels, like a bicycle, skateboard or wagon, will do just fine.
Games. Tangrams, puzzles, and word game books are great values. They don't break the bank, but they do provide hours of fun. Unstructured story games are also a good idea.
Construction Toys. Legos — or if you really want to go retro, Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys — are a good pick. So are good old-fashioned blocks. The trick is to find a toy that encourages construction but doesn't determine the process or the product. For older children, a basic set of tools might be a nice gift.
Story-line Toys. Toys like basic dolls, trucks, and action figures encourage children to create their own stories about the world. In order to leave room for children to exercise some imagination, the toys should be basic. They shouldn't come with too many stories of their own.
Exploratory Toys. These toys help children ask questions and get answers about the natural world. Paper airplanes are a great example. Books and simple musical instruments can also be good choices. You don't need the latest Smithsonian dinosaur kit. Try to provide minimal toys that let children ask their own questions and help them find a way to the answers.
This Christmas, you can make your child — and your budget — happy by appealing to his or her innate creativity. Give a few relatively inexpensive open-ended toys and cut back on this season's must-haves. Our modern purchases have their place. But doesn't an imaginary mission to Mars sound like more fun than yet another Hannah Montana makeup kit?
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