tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73601776035011981382024-02-02T01:07:27.286-08:00ListenLoveLearnAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-78065709915399951262015-01-21T14:43:00.001-08:002015-05-23T20:29:26.589-07:00Pretend Play and Theory of Mind Have a Big Impact on Child Development<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Pretend play isn't as simple
as it seems. The act of pretending a brandished stick is a sword, or a rock
held overhead is a plane may seem like rudimentary child enjoyment, but it’s
much more. Your child wouldn't develop some critical skills if she didn't use
her imagination. In fact, pretend play, theory of mind and child development go
hand in hand.</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
Learning Social Skills<o:p></o:p></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When a child engages in
make-believe, she experiments with the social roles she’s familiar with in her
own life. She might take on the role of the Mom while playing house, giving her
a chance to walk in someone else's shoes and learn empathy for her own mother.
Pretend play also often includes cooperation with others. This teaches children
to take turns, share, problem solve and be creative.</span><br />
<h2>
Increasing Emotional Skills</h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"Theory of mind" is
the awareness that not everyone has the same opinions and that people see the
world from different perspectives. This important emotional understanding
increases with pretend play as children make-believe they're someone else.
Imaginative play also builds self-esteem as children test their limits and see
what they’re truly capable of.</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
Developing Language Skills</h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It’s difficult to play with
others without using language. If you listen in on your child playing pretend
with friends, you’re bound to hear words and phrases you didn’t even know she
knew. Creative play also often requires participants to reenact a story, which
further helps language skills develop.</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
Practicing Problem-Solving Skills</h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Whether two children want to
play the same role or a group of friends needs to devise rules for a new game,
pretend play calls for problem-solving skills. This becomes important for
future play, as well as important situations later on in life.</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
Encouraging Pretend Play</h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Over the past 75 years,
numerous researchers and theorists have pinpointed the values of pretend play
and the impact it has on child development. It’s clearly important to encourage
fantasy games and creative play to help your child grow into a happy, thriving
young adult.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br /><i>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></i>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-39458686898654402452015-01-14T09:00:00.000-08:002015-05-23T20:30:02.966-07:00Sensory Exploration Begins at Birth, Shaping Our Learning and Memory<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Before your child is born, he
or she hears sounds in the womb. That’s why, as a newborn, a baby can
distinguish the mother’s voice from other voices. Very early on, a baby can
tell the difference between sweet and salty tastes, will gravitate toward good
smells and can feel comforted by a soft, warm blanket.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As a baby’s senses become
heightened with age, that contented, happy nature may change. He or she may
become newly annoyed by a wet diaper or reject the texture of a new food. It
may be confusing or annoying as a parent, but these changes are signs that your
child is beginning to make more sense of the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Children and adults alike
learn and make memories through their senses, which makes <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-Sensory-pre-school" target="_self">encouraging sensory exploration</a> at a young age important.</span><br />
<h2>
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Learning</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Have you ever had someone try
to teach you a concept without seeing or experiencing it for yourself? Learning
through sight, sound, smell, taste and touch is much easier than just having
the concept described to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For example, picture trying
to explain the word "melt" to a child. You would quickly find it’s
much easier to get your point across if you have the child hold an ice cube and
watch as it slowly shrinks and drips.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In a more drastic example,
children are sure to immediately learn the word "hot" if they try to
eat a steaming bowl of soup. By <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Baby-18-36-Months/18-36-Months-Sensory" target="_self">facilitating safe sensory exploration</a>, you give your child
the chance to investigate objects and materials and learn how the world works.</span><br />
<h2>
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Memory</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Have you ever smelled a
particular perfume or tasted a certain food and been transported back in time
to a memory from your youth? <a href="http://www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/sensory-play/developing-and-cultivating-skills-through-sensory-play/sensory-play-early-exploration-through-the-senses/" target="_blank">Sensory experiences</a> and memories are closely related.
Children are most likely to build memories based on sensory exploration when
they're young. Having a good memory is a skill that will help your child for a
lifetime, whether in school or while completing day to day activities.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i> </span><br />
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-33777850449238165972015-01-07T09:00:00.000-08:002015-01-07T09:00:00.715-08:00Encouraging Play in Children Teaches Necessary Skills for Growing Up<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4CMO_qZ8DtUBuQZQc1jlemy8AQb-jyMJSy4tokWpdt9SBJBtHQ0LDtE-8METM1UzZwrS5b1rkRJhgUt89MjaQtlrWgaW6XUvYB_VpyBelxtD-nSxAa_Avk3x5jUy8G__akeKXsC6Ht0/s1600/kid+height.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="encouraging play in children" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4CMO_qZ8DtUBuQZQc1jlemy8AQb-jyMJSy4tokWpdt9SBJBtHQ0LDtE-8METM1UzZwrS5b1rkRJhgUt89MjaQtlrWgaW6XUvYB_VpyBelxtD-nSxAa_Avk3x5jUy8G__akeKXsC6Ht0/s1600/kid+height.jpg" height="320" title="" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Play is children’s work. It
may not seem like it from an adult’s point of view, but without play, kids
might never grow up. That’s why encouraging play in children is so important.</span><br />
<h2>
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pretending Becomes Reality </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Consider two young sisters
playing house. The older one decides she’s the mommy and assigns the younger
one to be the baby. The pretend mommy is thrilled at the role she gets to play.
Acting like an adult is fun, as long as it’s only for a little while.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As they play, the pretend
mommy trips and scrapes her knee. She’s still in character though, and doesn’t
want the game to end, so instead of crying, she ignores the sting and goes back
to "grocery shopping." By holding it together for the sake of the
game, this little girl is actually teaching herself she can hold it together
even when she’s not playing pretend.</span><br />
<h2>
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Play Helps Children Grow Up</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">More and more, children today
are over-scheduled with structured lessons, classes and activities when what
they really need is more free play, or time to indulge in <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/10/3-imagination-games-to-play-with.html" target="_self">creative play</a> that has nothing to do with parents, coaches
or technology. It’s easy to mistake free play for a waste of time. After all,
it’s not goal-oriented, and your child certainly can’t put "played
house" on a college application, but that doesn’t mean it’s a waste of
time.</span><br />
<h2>
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Benefits of Play</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">First of all, playing makes children
happy. It also helps them learn to focus, create, problem solve, <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/12/does-imagination-play-affect-ability-of.html" target="_self">self-regulate</a>, take turns and <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-Cooperative-Play" target="_self">communicate more effectively</a>. Some say encouraging play in
children also makes kids smarter. These are traits you want to instill in your
child, and it’s as easy as making sure they have time to play independently
every day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Even baby animals play,
unknowingly practicing the skills they need to make it to adulthood. Pouncing
on sticks is early hunting training, while playing tag is great practice for
evading those pouncing predators. Why would Mother Nature program play into all
mammals if it accomplished nothing?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Many schools think that by
cutting recess, they’re adding education time, but play is education! Help your
child learn necessary skills for growing up b encouraging play! For more
information, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self">ListenLoveLearn</a> today. We want to help your child succeed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i> </span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-38313008403054943302014-12-23T09:30:00.000-08:002015-05-23T20:30:52.494-07:00Strong Listening Skills in Children Benefit More Than Just Behavior<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQblvFySCSxOpzA_axF3JeVNucUommdva3V52eqycxxHkRi8sUURgd_-A8_Em3tF39F-EFCvmjrbopLjN0zWF3pxi-nKhNS7CxBoP9ezAMm6hhyMYc_v1h-W60Fe5uE6-kpK023jXg10/s1600/listening+skills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQblvFySCSxOpzA_axF3JeVNucUommdva3V52eqycxxHkRi8sUURgd_-A8_Em3tF39F-EFCvmjrbopLjN0zWF3pxi-nKhNS7CxBoP9ezAMm6hhyMYc_v1h-W60Fe5uE6-kpK023jXg10/s1600/listening+skills.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When interacting with your
child at home, do you emphasize the <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/listening-challenges/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">importance
of listening</span></a>? The ability to listen and pay attention is vital for building
good behavior, but strong listening skills benefit your child in even more
ways.</span><br />
<h2>
Behavior</h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Children who know how to
listen change their behaviors based on the observations they make. For
instance, if a child sees her sister get a reward for bringing home an
exemplary report card, she is likely to strive for good grades to receive the
incentive as well. In this way, behavioral improvements often rely on the
ability to listen and obverse carefully.</span><br />
<h2>
Self-Discovery</h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When holding a discussion
with children, their ability to listen gives them insight into their own
opinions. Does one child agree with what another child says? As each individual
makes that decision for themselves, they each discover their own personal ideas,
interests and preferences. This self-discovery is vital for unlocking their
individual possibilities.</span><br />
<h2>
Relationships</h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Good listening skills foster
deeper communication and stronger relationships. Children are more likely to
build lasting friendships if they know how to give their full attention to
their peers. A good listener becomes the person her friends want to confide in
because she makes her friends feel appreciated and valued simply because she
knows how to listen.</span><br />
<h2>
Learning</h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Listening is vital to learning.
Daydreamers in the classroom have a harder time concentrating and often have
poorer memories. On the other hand, focused, active listeners grasp the content
more quickly and implement what they learn both in their studies and in their
everyday lives. Active listeners are more likely to have high grades and
excellent comprehension of lessons than passive listeners.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<i>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-71576098532176248362014-12-16T09:30:00.000-08:002015-05-23T20:31:16.936-07:00Types of Children’s Toys That Promote Healthy Social Skills<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NG79Mgkegl22fo_BeSlQWOFfOJM7fpIzgNmJbE1ESI1DvXCQ7FextM4eUOUI6fdAOP7LvZ_LQOfBWflV9wIiAPHDwvajjM6LUH4i3_l0JQHHQjUf7xRsQQ97VlVeldOCpVGANKsIDEY/s1600/toys+that+promote+social+skills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NG79Mgkegl22fo_BeSlQWOFfOJM7fpIzgNmJbE1ESI1DvXCQ7FextM4eUOUI6fdAOP7LvZ_LQOfBWflV9wIiAPHDwvajjM6LUH4i3_l0JQHHQjUf7xRsQQ97VlVeldOCpVGANKsIDEY/s1600/toys+that+promote+social+skills.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">How do you encourage your
child to develop good social skills? Of course, your example and the
discussions you have on the topic are vital, but there are also toys that
promote social skills. Certain games are capable of sculpting your child’s
social personality. Discover which categories of toys these include and the
role they play in building healthy social skills in children.</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Building Blocks</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">While you may only think of <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Baby-18-36-Months/18-36-Months-Sorting-Motor%20Skills/corrugated-blocks-set-of-84pcs" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">building blocks</span></a> as a way to stimulate motor skills, they are
capable of much more. After all, a box of blocks is big enough for two or three
or children to play with, which teaches them about sharing and working
together. It may result in one child knocking down another child’s structure
and, while stressful for a moment, such situations are important social
learning opportunities for youngsters.</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Board and Card Games</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Most board and <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Kids-5-7-Years/5-7-Years-language-skills-kids/Smarty-Pants-1st-Grade-Card-Set" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">card games</span></a> are built for two or more players, which
instantly promote social skills. Board games are also competitive, which gives
children a chance to encounter sore losers and boastful winners. They learn
that you win some and you lose some, and they can either take a loss hard and
let it ruin their day or take it in stride.</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Toys to Play Pretend </span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Open-ended toys that
encourage <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-creative-play-pre-school/cottage" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">creative play</span></a> consequently stimulate good social skills. As
soon as two or more children start playing, they must work together to build
the scenario. Dress up clothes, toy cooking sets, dollhouses and action figures
help children learn to share and cooperate as they play.</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sporty Toys</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The nature of sports-based
toys is teamwork. Whether it’s <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Infant-Birth-18-Months/Birth-18-Months-hand-eye-coordination-infant/sensory-ball-mega-pack" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">playing catch</span></a> or a game of basketball, physical activities
let children test their skills and decide how to handle their own setbacks, as
well as the skills of others.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<i>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-58491177901875591642014-12-09T09:30:00.000-08:002014-12-09T09:30:01.860-08:00Holiday Gift Guide for Children: Creative Toy Ideas for Newborns to Elementary Age<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGB0Q_HZosQ-b_Z3210sXCFH16aic0g9S8CXnQWm3S_K2AwOAvHBfAmD9PdFgD0smc0sfr_uo46cyQhF1xz6lGIZuQyYlUffU9WbNR8PR7g7q_OSJYRaN_1JqYiJs5gvucFE-4A_yd1I/s1600/toy+gift+guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGB0Q_HZosQ-b_Z3210sXCFH16aic0g9S8CXnQWm3S_K2AwOAvHBfAmD9PdFgD0smc0sfr_uo46cyQhF1xz6lGIZuQyYlUffU9WbNR8PR7g7q_OSJYRaN_1JqYiJs5gvucFE-4A_yd1I/s1600/toy+gift+guide.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You want your child to play
with toys that are not only fun, but developmentally beneficial. Consider some
unique toy gift ideas for children from newborn to elementary school age.</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Birth
to 18 Months</span></h2>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Infant-Birth-18-Months/Birth-18-Months-sensory-infant/giant-blocks-16-bag" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giant Blocks</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: Children are used to playing with small
blocks, but giant soft blocks are another option for creative play. This
toy helps babies develop hand-eye coordination and motor skills while
providing a larger-than-life sensory experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Infant-Birth-18-Months/birth-18-months-cooperative-play/Magna-Giraffe" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Magna Giraffe</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: This plush giraffe toy features
interactive rattles, bells, and stretchy arms and legs. The colorful body
segments connect with magnets so children ages 9 months and older can
explore different ways to arrange the body.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">18
to 36 Months</span></h2>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Baby-18-36-Months/18-36-Months-creative-play-baby/Barnyard-Activity-Boxes" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barnyard Activity Boxes</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: This high quality, 28-piece
wooden set comes with color-coordinated barns and animals. Toddlers ages 2
and up develop number, language and sensory skills as they match colors
and shapes to discover which animal lives in each barn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Baby-18-36-Months/18-36-Months-Sorting-Motor%20Skills/wonder-walker" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wonder Walker</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: As toddlers learn to walk, the Wonder
Walker provides a sturdy base for cruising around the house until they
have the balance and coordination to walk unassisted. Movable knobs and
gears help develop children’s motor skills even when they’re tired of
walking.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3
to 5 Years</span></h2>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-Listening-Skills/adventure-road-mat" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adventure Road Mat</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: The mat is comprised of puzzle
pieces that fit together to create various roadway designs. Building and
playing with the Adventure Road Mat stimulates creative play, sorting, and
motor and language skills development.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-memory-pre-school/headshouldersknees-and-toes" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: This creative guessing
game teaches about the parts of the body. It also helps children develop
language, motor and memory skills.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5
to 7 Years</span></h2>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Kids-5-7-Years/5-7-Years-creative-play-kids/castle" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Castle</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: This coloring playhouse facilitates imaginative
play at its finest! Children decorate the outer walls with the included
jumbo washable markers and play inside as whatever characters they dream
up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Kids-5-7-Years/5-7-Years-language-skills-kids?product_id=505" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Discovery Space Center</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: Laid out like a dollhouse, the
Discovery Space Center fuels imaginative play, storytelling, role playing
and creativity. It also promotes dexterity, hand-eye coordination and manipulation.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="margin: 0.83em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7
Years and Up</span></h2>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Tweens-7-Up/7-and-Up-Language-Skills-tweens/Smarty-Pants-3rd-Grade-Card-Set" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smarty Pants</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: Designed for third graders, this card set
tests the player’s smarts on fun facts and trivia. Children can play alone
or with others. Colorful illustrations, games, quizzes and puzzles keep
learning fun and exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Tweens-7-Up/7-and-Up-sensory-tweens/PowerClix-Educational-Set-74-pcs" target="_self"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PowerClix</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: Kids’ imaginations go wild with this
74-piece 3D magnetic building set. Children can follow the included
instructions or create their very own models for advanced sensory
learning.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For more information about
these toy gift ideas, contact <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/index.php?route=information/contact" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearnToys</span></a> today.<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<br />
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-79390598134629687392014-12-02T12:23:00.000-08:002014-12-02T12:23:04.858-08:00Does Imagination Play Affect the Ability of a Child to Self-Regulate?<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_xG2ShprBhQOxuiZn3aKu_v36cLcwft2RbqBWfDuhBc2ZqrbuPuFzHKpmfo88bBB91xSU7RHtkkklRFW5rrUhEbo31hekci9DP5wXOwYPN3strDvxq_PIhzgVLk7WnENLWLqhNXWVs0/s1600/children+playing+toys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="children playing with toys" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_xG2ShprBhQOxuiZn3aKu_v36cLcwft2RbqBWfDuhBc2ZqrbuPuFzHKpmfo88bBB91xSU7RHtkkklRFW5rrUhEbo31hekci9DP5wXOwYPN3strDvxq_PIhzgVLk7WnENLWLqhNXWVs0/s1600/children+playing+toys.jpg" height="220" title="children playing with toys" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the first half of the 20th
century, children played more or less unsupervised. They roamed outside or in
one another’s back yards and engaged in unrestrictive <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-imaginative-child-is-happy-child.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">imagination play</span></a>. They used the objects around them to
invent games on the spot. They improvised, regulated their play and made up
their own rules.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the second half of the
20th century, things started to change that have only escalated to this day.
Children began having less time for free play as their schedules filled with
structured activities. Even during playtime, more toys today come with a
specific purpose in mind, a predetermined script that minimizes the amount of
imagination play that occurs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">While many of today’s toys
are incredibly useful for structuring play, keeping kids safe, teaching them
certain skills and providing entertainment in a waiting room, imagination play
is still critical. Without it, children tend to miss out on the chance to learn
important <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/cu-boulder-study-shows-value-of-play-in.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">self-regulation skills</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Children who can
self-regulate have the ability to control their emotions, curb inappropriate
behavior, resist impulsive actions and exert greater self-discipline.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">How are imagination play and
the ability to self-regulate connected? One reason is because make-believe
provides an opportunity to engage in “private speech.” This is when children
quietly talk to themselves about what they plan to do and how to do it. Many
studies have unveiled a connection between this type of policing language and
self-regulating behaviors.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For example, picture
preschoolers in a free-choice period of play. Toys are strewn about once the
playtime ends. Researchers have found that the children who engage in complex
imagination play more often are those who take on the responsibility of
cleaning up with greater willingness. They even tend to assist their friends in
cleaning up without being prompted by the teacher.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It’s clear that, while
developing cognitive skills in a formal learning environment is important, free
play for children is absolutely not a waste of time. You can encourage
imagination play and help your child learn to self-regulate with toys
specifically geared toward creative play from <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=creative" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearnToys</span></a>. For more information, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn</span></a>
today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-11719477903959934672014-11-25T09:00:00.000-08:002014-11-25T09:00:00.850-08:00Using Sensory Play as a Tool for Language Acquisition<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR0KVblHe44vvyvMJEnvlbg3RmH1lUHBA-nRKZbjLDsfnKgmu8-WyM6AaNuLpCe-dJep1frv2uRVE7ly16B1fMjoknOylK1NHZBaiLmxVxMsEsKVfFajyVi3CfLLVl6DLkDvbqZN2jgc/s1600/mom+and+baby+music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Using Sensory Play as a Tool for Language Acquisition" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR0KVblHe44vvyvMJEnvlbg3RmH1lUHBA-nRKZbjLDsfnKgmu8-WyM6AaNuLpCe-dJep1frv2uRVE7ly16B1fMjoknOylK1NHZBaiLmxVxMsEsKVfFajyVi3CfLLVl6DLkDvbqZN2jgc/s1600/mom+and+baby+music.jpg" height="213" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Although children respond to
sensory experiences differently, participating in play that activates their
senses can be therapeutic, improve motor skills, increase knowledge about how
the world works and aid in language acquisition.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What Does Sensory Play Have
to Do With Language Acquisition?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Consider that you can use
descriptive words and questions related to the experience to help expand a
child’s vocabulary. You can use verbs -- pour, sift, scoop, squish, poke and
rub -- and adjectives -- hot, cold, silky, bumpy, wet, goopy, scratchy and soft
-- to describe the actions your child performs with certain objects like sand,
water, cloth, play dough, sandpaper and fur. This helps solidify the meanings
of these words in your child’s young mind.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Use the following sensory
play ideas to encourage language acquisition in your toddler:</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Baby-18-36-Months/18-36-Months-Sensory/first-steps-in-music" target="_self">Music toys</a>:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> A
colorful xylophone, tambourine and shaker stimulate your child’s sight and
sense of touch. The sounds they make give your child a chance to create
and hear music, which you can sing along with or describe with words such
as high pitched, low pitched and catchy.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Baby-18-36-Months/18-36-Months-Sensory/pop-up-box-medium" target="_self">Bin of textured toys</a>:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
The chance to feel and describe items with different textures is a great
opportunity to link the words with their meanings.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-Sensory-pre-school/Peekaboo-Sound-Boxes" target="_self">Sound boxes</a>:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The idea
with this activity is to shake the contents of each box and find its
match. Part of the game is to guess what objects are inside the box and to
describe the type of sound each object makes.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-Sensory-pre-school/shapes-in-a-bag" target="_self">Shapes in a bag</a>:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> This
matching game encourages language acquisition because each shape matches a
card with the shape written on it. You can take it one step further by
asking language questions about each individual shape, such as "What
sound does a truck make in real life? Honk, honk!"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Strangely
textured creations:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Not all sensory play is
achieved with a toy you can buy. Some of the best sensory experiences come
from recipes you make at home, such as cloud dough, slime, goop and
homemade play dough. Check out <a href="http://www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/sensory-play/developing-and-cultivating-skills-through-sensory-play/sensory-play-early-exploration-through-the-senses/" target="_blank">PBS.org</a> for easy-to-make recipes.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To learn more about
importance of sensory play in language acquisition, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self">ListenLoveLearn</a>
today.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i> </span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-34938736294759795822014-11-18T09:00:00.000-08:002014-11-18T09:00:01.990-08:003 Simple Paper Plate Crafts Any Child Will Enjoy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXBCFscB9c5vVEIuBQOInjKY38z3VYpetZIfw9jKsTYXiFjo7tBghUrtiNH7uhX8xghd13eGMIK6S011eB5ypwHliM-zInj-2RChZ-qAhMpr7tud2TSOGNgRBP4ZmtR66dMnpeF303X8/s1600/girl+with+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXBCFscB9c5vVEIuBQOInjKY38z3VYpetZIfw9jKsTYXiFjo7tBghUrtiNH7uhX8xghd13eGMIK6S011eB5ypwHliM-zInj-2RChZ-qAhMpr7tud2TSOGNgRBP4ZmtR66dMnpeF303X8/s1600/girl+with+plate.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/looking-for-fun-activity-for-kids-try.html" target="_self">Crafts for kids</a> don’t have to be expensive or complicated.
With just a few basic supplies, you can complete three simple paper plate
crafts with your child. Check out <a href="http://octaviaandvicky.com/create/three-easy-paper-plate-crafts" target="_blank">Octavia and Vicky</a> for pictures of the completed crafts.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Paper Plate Basket</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Your child can use this
creation to <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-imaginative-child-is-happy-child.html" target="_self">play pretend</a> in a variety of ways. It’s super easy to make.
You need:</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 paper
plates</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scissors</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stapler</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Decorations,
such as stickers and markers</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To make this paper plate
craft:</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cut a
semi-circle of the same size out of each plate, leaving the outer edge
intact for a handle.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With each
plate facing inward, line up the cut-outs and staple the plates together
around the rim.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Decorate
the basket with stickers and markers. Load up the basket and be on your
way!</span></li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Paper Plate Puppet</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Hand puppets come in many
shapes and sizes, and you can construct a quick, easy one with your child using
the following supplies:</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 paper
plates</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scissors</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 colored
ribbon</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Markers or
stickers</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tape</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To make this paper plate
craft:</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fold one
paper plate in half so the back of the plate faces inward.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cut the
second paper plate in half.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Staple the
cut pieces of paper plate to the folded plate to create an oven-mitt type
puppet.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Draw or
stick some eyes onto the puppet.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cut a
length of ribbon and curl it with the scissors. Tape it inside the mouth
to create a tongue.</span></li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Paper Plate Shaker</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Make an inexpensive musical
instrument with these simple supplies:</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 paper
plates</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Decorations,
such as stickers and markers</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rice or
dried beans</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stapler</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ribbon</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To make this paper plate
craft:</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Decorate
the backs of each paper plate with stickers and markers.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Place a
handful of rice or dried beans on one plate.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Set the
other paper plate on top and face down to leave a pouch for the rice or
beans to shake around.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Staple the
plates together, inserting lengths of ribbon and stapling them in place as
you go.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If you like these paper plate
crafts, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self">ListenLoveLearn</a>
for more engaging games and toys for your child.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i> </span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-76508744714646306212014-11-11T09:00:00.000-08:002014-11-11T09:00:03.689-08:00Toddler Playtime Can Improve Balance, Walking and Climbing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfshJQlX57sKr5mypaOGruvoBAPnsdgMT9JCKB4Z19pD4ub2AWo6sqzYe7mbiwBg2g90efaWDnj4GvBE4qWYA2nzuOYBtM4ylr6-PZ9BBM7si03iWdO45zIPCVv_ESRtAHUyXcWB50q0/s1600/kid+on+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfshJQlX57sKr5mypaOGruvoBAPnsdgMT9JCKB4Z19pD4ub2AWo6sqzYe7mbiwBg2g90efaWDnj4GvBE4qWYA2nzuOYBtM4ylr6-PZ9BBM7si03iWdO45zIPCVv_ESRtAHUyXcWB50q0/s1600/kid+on+bike.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Between one and two years
old, your toddler learns a remarkable number of skills. On her first birthday,
she could barely pick things up. She got around by crawling and communicated
with incoherent babbling. By her second birthday, she’ll be grabbing and
throwing objects, running around, and chattering in more-or-less understandable
partial sentences.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Toddler playtime is vital for
helping your child reach these milestones. Consider some of the best toys to
help improve balance, walking and climbing.</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ride-on
toys:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> An 18-month-old loves the
mobility a <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/ride-on-fire-engine?search=ride-on" target="_self">ride-on toy</a> provides. A toddler can scoot around even
before she has mastered walking, and the action strengthens her leg
muscles to make walking come faster to her.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Push
toys:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> A <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/shopping-cart?search=cart" target="_self">shopping cart</a> offers the chance to practice walking. It
makes toddler playtime more interesting a little later down the road by
facilitating imaginative play.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pull-along
toys:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> As your toddler’s standing and
walking balance improve, she’ll be able to turn her head while walking.
This introduces the chance to enjoy brightly colored <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/duck-family-pull-along?search=pull" target="_self">pull-along toys</a>. This type of toy improves walking,
balancing and physical coordination.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Balls:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
As your toddler approaches age two, she’ll be ready to “kick” a <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Hug-A-Bee-Ball?search=ball" target="_self">large, soft ball</a>. She can’t yet sustain her balance on
one leg, but she can use her legs and lower body to bump the ball forward
along the ground and have a fun time doing so.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ring
around the rosy:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> This classic game gives your
toddler the chance to practice walking sideways in a circle, falling down,
standing back up and maintaining balance throughout. Any kind of dancing
encourages the same physical skills.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Toddler
slide:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Having a safe toy for your
child to climb on helps curtail the urge to scramble up more dangerous
things, such as kitchen chairs and shelves.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Obstacle
course:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Set up a fun place for your
child to balance, walk and climb by arranging couch cushions, cardboard
boxes, the toddler slide and other obstacles in the living room. This can
even turn into an imaginative play situation, such as escaping the
monster.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For more tips on sculpting
the perfect toddler playtime, contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self">ListenLoveLearn</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i> </span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-75537346197579590432014-11-04T09:00:00.000-08:002014-11-04T09:00:01.080-08:00Roles Parents Can Play While Trusting Toddlers to Make Their Own Fun<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1pCsFdJk9f7VDkHsTb2LXr6rUoSqkY-yBGIe37cXwWQJmt4UPpWy9r8pseEGQBoWrEylglwdO3XBa2uldJbRbjxs0CmDkPCsoAzlFnfp3AZpCEsz1wfE8LB3beXYO4-NL76GABk49fI/s1600/kid+with+hard+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="trusting toddlers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1pCsFdJk9f7VDkHsTb2LXr6rUoSqkY-yBGIe37cXwWQJmt4UPpWy9r8pseEGQBoWrEylglwdO3XBa2uldJbRbjxs0CmDkPCsoAzlFnfp3AZpCEsz1wfE8LB3beXYO4-NL76GABk49fI/s1600/kid+with+hard+hat.jpg" height="305" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-play-with-your-18-month-to-3.html" target="_self">Children learn through play</a>. That’s one reason you should
make every activity you do with your child fun. Play peek-a-boo when you get
him dressed, sing a silly song while you change his diaper, and pretend the
washing machine is a hoop and the laundry is a basketball.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Then, be sure to set aside
special time to play with your child. At this age, don’t worry too much about
the specific skills your child learns from one game or another; instead, simply
trust your toddler to make his own fun. <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-imaginative-child-is-happy-child.html" target="_self">Trusting toddlers to play</a> is all about letting them lead the
playtime without interrupting or changing the game’s direction.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When you sit down with your
toddler, let him be in charge of experimenting with <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/even-in-digital-age-traditional-toys.html" target="_self">new toys</a>. You’re an adult, so of course you know the “right
way” to complete the puzzle or play with a specific toy – but don’t do it. Sit
on your hands if you have to! Unless your child asks for help, back off.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Of course, that doesn’t mean
you can’t still be involved in playtime. While trusting toddlers to play and
make their own fun, adopt the following roles to still remain involved:</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
cheerleader:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Clap and cheer when your child
achieves a goal or masters a new skill during play.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
playmate:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Some games require a partner.
When your child rolls you the ball, roll it back. When he laughs and runs
from you, playfully chase him.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
research assistant:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> If a game or toy is getting
boring, run off and find the perfect addition to make it feel new again.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
expert:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Answer questions about what a
toy is or what it’s made out of. If your child asks how to use it, show
him some ideas.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
psychologist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Play can become frustrating
when you’re too young or too small to do something. Encourage your child,
comfort him, and offer to help press a button hard enough or undo a
stubborn latch.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For more on the topic of
trusting toddlers to play and make their own fun, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self">ListenLoveLearn</a>
today.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-54686395828106037982014-10-28T09:00:00.000-07:002014-10-28T09:00:05.005-07:003 Imagination Games to Play With Children<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Inifwj_2FYhRZ9qchD5g8Wp8IxG9k0ZfKwHooO5151PS4xYCcPSclzjOW52Piyu9k4JNR2cVACL_rRZqAKM8cM6oUMJCA30K-nry4bb08eYurB7iQU6OnjJ4AkpCzKTjeBDr3rn9U2o/s1600/shutterstock_85885558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seeing into the future..." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Inifwj_2FYhRZ9qchD5g8Wp8IxG9k0ZfKwHooO5151PS4xYCcPSclzjOW52Piyu9k4JNR2cVACL_rRZqAKM8cM6oUMJCA30K-nry4bb08eYurB7iQU6OnjJ4AkpCzKTjeBDr3rn9U2o/s1600/shutterstock_85885558.jpg" height="240" title="Seeing into the future" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-imaginative-child-is-happy-child.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">Imaginative play</span></a> helps your child to develop heightened
social, language and thinking skills. Take the following three imagination
games to play with children as suggested by <a href="http://www.familyeducation.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Family Education</span></a> and
have a fun-filled afternoon of creative play and storytelling.</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Seeing Into the Future<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Crystal balls are hard to
come by these days, but your child has all the imagination required to think up
scenarios – whether plausible or silly – for a friend’s or sibling’s future. To
get the story rolling, ask questions like, where will the person live? What
will the person do for work? Will the person be married or have child? What
will their names be?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">See if your child can make a
connection between what friends and siblings enjoy doing now and what they
might choose to do as an adult. For example, your child may make-believe that
the person in the story, who loves <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-creative-play-pre-school/2-1-2-jumbo-textured-blocks-16pcs" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">playing with blocks</span></a>, ends up becoming an architect or
construction worker.</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">15 Minutes of Fame<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ask your child to pretend he
or she is being featured on the cover of a magazine. Then ask your child the reason
why. Did he or she do something impressive, such as win a gold medal in the
Olympics or invent a wild new creation? Have your child demonstrate what he or
she did to earn the 15 minutes of fame.</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Perfect Day<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Have your child describe the
perfect day and add contributions as the scenario unfolds. Maybe the sun would
always shine, every meal would consist of ice cream and pizza, and school would
be nothing more than recess from start to finish.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Revel in the wonder of the
perfect day and then help your child appreciate reality by asking follow-up
questions. How would farmers grow food if it never rained? Wouldn’t you get
tired of the tummy ache from only eating junk food? How would you learn to read
and write if you never had to study?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Find more unique imagination
games to play with children at <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearnToys</span></a>. Then, find out more about the
importance of creative play by contacting <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-42657047880315405832014-10-21T09:00:00.000-07:002014-10-21T09:00:07.149-07:00Toy Shopping? Make Sure Your Choices Will Encourage Creative Play<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdeBdE2GjFmN_5Nq7X4FNYbnyBZccC3cYAUiQaqJ03t7lff0qm31tGzyuKVCiNovkcKUcHLPcWxr0LYybiuZwU3xauAZTysKaoDZLw7qIhkqrxcEaIQcY-t4aK3rjFzGIYCxUgjM54nI/s1600/shutterstock_163285436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Creative Play with Building Blocks" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdeBdE2GjFmN_5Nq7X4FNYbnyBZccC3cYAUiQaqJ03t7lff0qm31tGzyuKVCiNovkcKUcHLPcWxr0LYybiuZwU3xauAZTysKaoDZLw7qIhkqrxcEaIQcY-t4aK3rjFzGIYCxUgjM54nI/s1600/shutterstock_163285436.jpg" height="213" title="Creative Play with Building Blocks" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Play is the work of children,
and by selecting toys that encourage creative play, you help children make the
most of playtime. When you go toy shopping in this technological age, you may
be drawn toward the complex toys with changeable settings, flashing lights and
music playing. While these are certainly fun, some of the best toys for
creative play are actually <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/even-in-digital-age-traditional-toys.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ones that don’t require batteries</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Think back to some of your
favorite toys as a child. Were they the kinds of toys your parents played with
as well? There’s a reason some toys transcend generations. They provide
creative play so children can experience a new game every time. This also makes
toys more economical, since the game can change as your child grows.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When it comes to toy
shopping, use your instincts to help you find toys that encourage open-ended,
creative play. Here are some specific ideas to get you started.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Building
blocks:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> No matter their shape or size,
if you can stack it and knock it down, it’s bound to be a hit with kids.
On top of having fun, kids learn visual-spatial skills and problem
solving, and they expand their imaginations as they <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/when-children-build-and-create-does-it.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">use blocks to build structures</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pretend
play:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Toys that reflect the real
world provide hours of fun for children. A pretend kitchen, cash register
and dress up clothes lend themselves to imaginary play and creativity.
They give kids a chance to make up stories, which is excellent for
language development as well.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Arts
and crafts:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Water color, finger paints,
clay for sculpting – these arts and crafts supplies give your kids a
chance to create something special while improving their motor skills.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">No matter what toys you
choose to encourage creative play, get involved with your children. The best
way to foster their healthy development is to be an active participant, helping
them think of new ideas for playing with the same toys they have had for years.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Browse through the extensive
collection of age-appropriate toys from <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn Toys</span></a>.
Then, learn more about the importance of creative play by contacting <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<br />
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-51643151207672696482014-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:002014-10-14T09:00:06.925-07:00Traditional Toys Are Still Essential in a World of Electronic Devices and Apps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bUw-_xtlv_jPaMsCO8WNCZOh8VYWntn6_DscBPxiOe1ASZ9_8TmSaw2AJ2gTx9gO16VhwnIUHRxpNKQsOErzUwxyu-XsKVMAaSunkx9qlJHefIBP29pZLBn3M4ZIV7wOO45OktV8R74/s1600/shutterstock_189328145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Traditional toys are still essential" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bUw-_xtlv_jPaMsCO8WNCZOh8VYWntn6_DscBPxiOe1ASZ9_8TmSaw2AJ2gTx9gO16VhwnIUHRxpNKQsOErzUwxyu-XsKVMAaSunkx9qlJHefIBP29pZLBn3M4ZIV7wOO45OktV8R74/s1600/shutterstock_189328145.jpg" height="213" title="traditonal toys are still essential" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Technology is more advanced
than ever, and children are often drawn toward the flashing lights, fun music
and characters on a mobile device more than they are to traditional toys. Does
that mean electronic devices and apps trump creative play and imagination?
Maybe in some homes, but they shouldn’t in yours, and here’s why.</span><br />
<h3>
Social Skills</h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">An ongoing concern for the
upcoming generation is that many kids lack important social skills. <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/even-in-digital-age-traditional-toys.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">Playing with traditional toys</span></a> gives children the chance to
learn communication, sharing and problem solving skills. These important social
abilities get skimmed over when kids play on an iPad all day.</span><br />
<h3>
Language and Speech
Skills</h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Most children develop these
skills around ages two and three. Traditional toys beat electronic devices
again because, while apps may teach "speech," they don’t teach
"language." Interacting with an image on a screen doesn’t allow the same
feedback as interacting with another child.</span><br />
<h3>
Motor Skills and
Eye-Hand Coordination</h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With an app, the most
involvement you get is a hand swipe or a tap of the finger. Compare that to <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/when-children-build-and-create-does-it.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">building towers</span></a>, playing catch or drawing a picture and it’s
clear that traditional toys are superior for developing eye-hand coordination,
not to mention providing the physical activity needed to develop motor skills
and keep kids healthy.</span><br />
<h3>
Imagination</h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Open-ended toys encourage
creative play. A stack of blocks can become a house for a teddy bear; a few
dolls can go on an adventure together; and a cardboard box can become a
spaceship. Apps don’t allow the same type of creativity or imagination. For
many, what you see is what you get.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With this is in mind, it’s
important not to completely ignore technology. Today’s electronics trump the
button-mashing video games and one-button preschool toys of yesteryear. Some
online computer games are quite thought-provoking and challenging, and apps are
great for entertaining your child in the doctor’s office waiting room.
Ultimately, it’s about striking a healthy balance between technology and
traditional toys.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Browse through the extensive
collection of age-appropriate toys available from <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn Toys</span></a>.
Then find out more about the importance of traditional play by contacting <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn</span></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-58289079297047486722014-10-06T09:00:00.000-07:002014-10-06T13:03:46.452-07:00Speech Delayed Children and Toy Selection -- Keep It Simple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6yS9AcQAh8SmqNZkfiuisjpuViVhjMUNoSfg7cKk-xwf0mpD0eLPmsSBKpZP5LqeWky_DTeJRcSBZf_TRO8BE-yZUcYNUSZ0Xs-IRAeIKZr_7VqRTJaRkgunVL4pkfPMtNzUn_Fr_Kc/s1600/shutterstock_197394662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Speech Delayed Children and Toy Selection" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6yS9AcQAh8SmqNZkfiuisjpuViVhjMUNoSfg7cKk-xwf0mpD0eLPmsSBKpZP5LqeWky_DTeJRcSBZf_TRO8BE-yZUcYNUSZ0Xs-IRAeIKZr_7VqRTJaRkgunVL4pkfPMtNzUn_Fr_Kc/s1600/shutterstock_197394662.jpg" height="213" title="speech delayed children and toy selection" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If you have speech delayed
children, the right toys can help get them back on track. Use these tips to
keep the toy selection process simple.</span><br />
<h3>
Skip Battery-Operated
Toys<o:p></o:p></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The batteries allow toys to
make noise. However, in speech delayed children, it’s not the toy you want to
be making noise. Select toys that are either designed for battery-free play or
remove the batteries from the toys you already have.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Of course, there are
exceptions. A voice recorder or karaoke machine needs batteries, and these
certainly encourage speech delayed children to talk.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<h3>
Opt for Traditional
Toys<o:p></o:p></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Many <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/even-in-digital-age-traditional-toys.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">traditional toys</span></a> have transcended generations, making their
popularity clear. They encourage creativity and imagination because a child can
play with them in a variety of ways. Some examples include:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=blocks" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">Wooden blocks</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cars,
trucks and trains<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Play
kitchen and cash register<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Farm set
and doll house<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dress up
clothes and tea set<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tool bench
and pretend tools<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>
Forget Gender
Constraints<o:p></o:p></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Put your preconceived notions
aside and give both genders the chance to play with trains and cars or with
pretend kitchens and baby dolls. Both boys and girls deserve to get equal
benefits from play materials, so don’t restrict them.</span><br />
<h3>
Encourage Physical
Activity<o:p></o:p></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It’s important for children,
whether speech delayed or not, to get up and moving! Whether indoors or
outside, pick from some of the following toys to encourage physical activity:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Crawl-through
tunnels<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ride-on
toys<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Water table<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Small
shovels for digging<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Large
playhouses<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<h3>
Remember That Less Is
More<o:p></o:p></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With all these ideas in mind,
you may be tempted to get them all. However, too many toys can be a negative
thing. To prevent boredom and feelings that you need to buy more, start a toy
rotation. Don’t forget, some of the best toys aren’t toys at all. Homemade
forts, pots and pans, and cardboard boxes are sometimes the best playthings for
speech delayed children.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Browse through the extensive
collection of age-appropriate toys available from <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn Toys</span></a>
to help you with your toy selection dilemma. Then, find out more about the
importance of traditional toys for speech delayed children by contacting <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn</span></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-66908153958001627402014-09-30T08:59:00.000-07:002014-09-30T08:59:00.509-07:00Kids Can Improve Math Skills Through Play<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0saDu42Wb4e1SERZQA3JiC-voG1a5QPBxhLjmshBDB25aseekwu4nMhODhqs472zO9bedB8-kuM8UXaahIRc-6t8H0T5AvUxDjMbl3e7WdMKNzr3Hg0ishxRLYiI2sBRZ_SF6a-_cPJI/s1600/shutterstock_95073589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="kids can improve math skills through play" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0saDu42Wb4e1SERZQA3JiC-voG1a5QPBxhLjmshBDB25aseekwu4nMhODhqs472zO9bedB8-kuM8UXaahIRc-6t8H0T5AvUxDjMbl3e7WdMKNzr3Hg0ishxRLYiI2sBRZ_SF6a-_cPJI/s1600/shutterstock_95073589.jpg" height="212" title="kids can improve math skills through play" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If you hand a young child two
containers and sit him or her down in a sandbox or kiddy pool, chances are <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/when-play-represents-life.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">the child will begin to play</span></a> by filling and pouring
substances from one container to the other. Is this just a simple means for
children to have fun or is something more happening here?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This is a great example of
how <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/07/can-all-work-and-no-play-stunt-johnnys.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">kids can improve math skills through play</span></a>. While toddlers
certainly find it fun to measure and pour, they learn important lessons in
permanence and arithmetic at the same time. Similarly, when children build
towers and fit stacking cups together, they are experimenting with size, shape,
amounts and even physics. Eventually, gravity will knock that tower over!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What can you do to help your
kids’ math skills improve through play? Here are four ideas:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Supervise
pouring and measuring activities.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Whether
at the beach, in the bathroom, at the kitchen sink or in the backyard,
kids can measure and pour different substances, such as water, sand, soil,
gravel, beads and dry rice. Get involved by asking your child to guess how
many small containers he or she thinks it will take to fill a larger
container. With supervision, children can even pour and measure frozen
peas, pasta or rice when cooking in the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Combine
math and reading.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Many counting books combine
your children’s love of reading with the chance to improve math skills.
Read with your children often and help them count the objects on the page.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sing
counting rhymes.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> "Five Little Monkeys
Jumping on the Bed" and "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" are just
two examples of well-known counting rhymes. Sing these with your children
whenever an appropriate occasion arises, such as on a road trip or while
waiting in line at the grocery store.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Play
number games.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ListenLoveLearn Toys has a
specific category of <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-Numbers-Counting" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">numbers/counting games</span></a> for children ages 3 to 5.
Building blocks, monster bingo and a toy cash register are just a few
options for teaching numbers and counting skills.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To learn more about how kids
can improve math skills through play, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-7041712357247958212014-09-23T08:56:00.000-07:002014-09-23T08:56:00.296-07:00Memory Toys Help Children Learn and Remember<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78hg8plYlpumWQfuW337NQlgn5MYvbOrgEJXPDbhzXL1xF_QFnsKFjurzojQ-h8Gwj7tqSh2oHeQwU4adYDcOlZtHLiFf2d2l9MLdfRd4QDviaDfEDQhnYK-97OwoaY_m5rEsEqIriQQ/s1600/shutterstock_95571682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="memory toys help chlidren learn and remember" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78hg8plYlpumWQfuW337NQlgn5MYvbOrgEJXPDbhzXL1xF_QFnsKFjurzojQ-h8Gwj7tqSh2oHeQwU4adYDcOlZtHLiFf2d2l9MLdfRd4QDviaDfEDQhnYK-97OwoaY_m5rEsEqIriQQ/s1600/shutterstock_95571682.jpg" height="320" title="memory toys help chlidren learn and remember" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Every parent wants their
child to have a good memory. Whether your goal is to help your child memorize
facts and figures or remember to brush his or her teeth, you can help your
child’s memory improve by doing the following every day:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Play
with memory toys.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Matching games such as <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-memory-pre-school/monster-bingo" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">bingo</span></a> and memory match are ideal for improving
children’s memory skills. Choose memory toys that match lower and
upper-case letters and you also teach <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Kids-5-7-Years/5-7-Years-language-skills-kids" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">language skills</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ask
memory-related questions.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> When you drive by a friend’s
house, ask your child who lives there. When you get to the grocery store,
see if your child can direct you to the milk or the bread. After school,
ask what your child learned in class that day.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Establish
routines.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Children thrive on routine,
and it also helps them remember what comes next in the day. If the bedtime
routine is always the same, your child should anticipate this order and be
able to tell you what comes next: getting in pajamas, then brushing teeth,
followed by reading a story.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ensure
quality sleep for your child.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Sleep is
not only essential for a child’s well-being, but it also enables the brain
to retrieve and assimilate facts from the day before. Young children from
about six months to age 3 should get 13 to 15 hours of sleep every day
with a long overnight rest and naps throughout the day.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Offer
nutritious meals and snacks.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Even before your child is
born, you should eat healthfully and take prenatal vitamins. Once you
welcome your baby into the world, nutritionists advise breastfeeding if at
all possible. Feed toddlers and school-age children nutritious foods such
as fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy and whole grains.
Avoid sugary drinks, candy and processed foods, and make sure your child
eats breakfast every morning and drinks plenty of water throughout the
day. Sending good fuel to the brain and staying hydrated makes it easy for
your child to develop and maintain a good memory.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For more tips to improve your
child’s memory, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn</span></a>. Then check out the <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-memory-pre-school/monster-bingo" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">memory toys</span></a> available from ListenLoveLearn Toys.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-52323693508517249342014-09-16T08:48:00.000-07:002014-09-16T08:48:00.612-07:00Are Children Spending Enough Time Outdoors?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingLKm-V0QdqVMFFx6nTjBgoCtKpo3HJnYTlxUafR37GOCqI1ceWBP3hZAYpOMPS6k6JmsZgEy5eC7zPngCTdjvA5Ovlv_7QnxNQW8siMUUgb44oHbUlyGB5oQ75AC7Sm1pDs6ljKz3jg/s1600/shutterstock_178952933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="children outdoors" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingLKm-V0QdqVMFFx6nTjBgoCtKpo3HJnYTlxUafR37GOCqI1ceWBP3hZAYpOMPS6k6JmsZgEy5eC7zPngCTdjvA5Ovlv_7QnxNQW8siMUUgb44oHbUlyGB5oQ75AC7Sm1pDs6ljKz3jg/s1600/shutterstock_178952933.jpg" height="213" title="children outdoors" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It’s a beautiful day outside
and the park or the beach is just a two-minute walk from home. School is out,
and the kids need a way to unwind. With this scenario set up, it may seem
obvious that children would be <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jun/30/need-to-get-children-outdoors-how-to-escape-those-ipad-screens" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">spending their time outdoors</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But it’s dirty out there, not
to mention dangerous. The kids could be run over by a car or mauled by a dog or
abducted. Besides, all they want to do is play on the iPad. It’s easier to rush
the children in the door when they get home from school and sit them on the
couch where they can passively stare at a computer screen under your watchful
eye.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sound familiar? You’re not
alone. Children today spend an average of 4.5 hours a day being entertained by
a screen. Whether it’s the TV, a computer or a mobile device, kids tend to
prefer to unwind with a screen rather than spend time outdoors.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the past few years, some
organizations have joined forces to help counter this trend. One filmmaker in
particular, David Bond, struck a chord with adults and children alike in his
film <a href="http://projectwildthing.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Project Wild Thing</span></a>.
It documents his efforts to treat nature as a brand that requires marketing to
attract attention.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Spending time outdoors makes
children happier and healthier by building resilience, boosting well-being and
making lifelong memories. Sure, kids enjoy what they watch on a screen, but
it’s the adventures they have outside that will stick with them for a lifetime.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So how do you get your
children to choose outdoor play over screen time? Spending just five more
minutes outside can make a difference, says Bond. Try reading outside, building
a fort in the yard, running through the sprinklers, going for a walk or
camping. Or just send your kids outside and tell them not to come back for a
while. When they realize all the fun and <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-imaginative-child-is-happy-child.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">imaginative play</span></a> that awaits them, they’ll soon come to love
every minute they spend outside.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To learn more about the value
of making sure your children spend enough time outdoors, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn</span></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span><br />
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-19979556791669545802014-09-12T09:00:00.000-07:002014-09-12T09:00:04.858-07:00Playing Out -- Reclaiming Neighborhood Streets as a Social Center for Children<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2LBZBN8bwtAyZi2YIBQHGTqzwmIACGt06vUcsLvWFRY_IS-RBbAwyKzs33Y1QDWdRjYgUKjCg3bclyIp4Zek5gmIleg6FJC8tNY1pb7xX3fuETJHWb_YFhHkd-RFfMagUbMpNQltnPA/s1600/shutterstock_88297135.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="reclaiming neighborhood streets" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2LBZBN8bwtAyZi2YIBQHGTqzwmIACGt06vUcsLvWFRY_IS-RBbAwyKzs33Y1QDWdRjYgUKjCg3bclyIp4Zek5gmIleg6FJC8tNY1pb7xX3fuETJHWb_YFhHkd-RFfMagUbMpNQltnPA/s1600/shutterstock_88297135.jpg" height="213" title="reclaiming neighborhood streets" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s adults had a much
different upbringing than the current generation of children. Back then, it was
normal for neighborhood kids to come over unannounced and ask, "Can you
come out and play?" Today, parents are more involved than ever with
organizing, scheduling and prearranging social activities. Why is that? Why
can’t the sight of children playing in the neighborhood be normal once again?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That was the thought that Bristol,
England, resident Alice Ferguson had back in 2009. She and her neighbor Amy
Rose arranged to have their street closed to through traffic for three hours
one day after school and let the children run free, just like the good old
days. This was the start of the not-for-profit organization <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jun/30/stop-the-traffic-how-we-got-children-to-play-in-the-streets-again" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Playing Out</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The goals of Playing Out are
to draw children out from behind closed doors, <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/08/even-in-digital-age-traditional-toys.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">get them away from computer screens</span></a> and encourage them to
discover the joy of riding a scooter up and down the street without a parent
standing two feet away. Children today are losing the social opportunities they
once had. Many resort to online friendships devoid of physical interaction,
boundary pushing and yes, bruising a few knees.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Playing Out was never
intended to be an ongoing scheme, but when it became clear how important the <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-play-with-your-18-month-to-3.html" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">social interaction</span></a> was for children, Bristol city council
got involved and ran a pilot scheme. Temporary through traffic road closures
once a week allowed the concept of children playing safely in the streets to
become a reality.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The social interactions of
Playing Out benefit children, but the adults on the street get to know each other
better as well. Parents chat, reminisce and enjoy a cup of coffee together as
they give their kids some much needed unstructured play and a chance to make
new friends.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You can adopt the Playing Out
concept in your own neighborhood and gets kids outside again. Everyone has a
different approach to parenting, but there’s no denying that outdoor time with
neighborhood friends is beneficial in this world of over-scheduling and
screen-based entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To learn more about the value
of children playing outside, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: blue;">ListenLoveLearn</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Image via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-10821968181856488922014-09-11T17:35:00.001-07:002014-09-11T17:35:13.235-07:00<h2>
Toy Talk! Using Toys to Increase Your Child’s Communication
Ability</h2>
<h3>
<o:p>Toy Talk! Using Toys to Increase Your Child's Communication Ability</o:p></h3>
<div>
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND6HMZ0iZGdrKQHpI70qwrKGQZoY2m6G9XZiZTMQjsUb8zFovzA4Y7mFdhse8QU3ijySeml5sgrqrAa-yQrdd8CQ5U9vL5jTX2UxSfmsporpLw3T1vllf6YOFoCg4ME7xWRm1Wu70FVo/s1600/cottage1-228x228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND6HMZ0iZGdrKQHpI70qwrKGQZoY2m6G9XZiZTMQjsUb8zFovzA4Y7mFdhse8QU3ijySeml5sgrqrAa-yQrdd8CQ5U9vL5jTX2UxSfmsporpLw3T1vllf6YOFoCg4ME7xWRm1Wu70FVo/s1600/cottage1-228x228.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<h4>
<o:p>Toy Talk </o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parents of children with communication difficulties can help
increase their child’s communication ability through toys and play. Parents can
be instrumental in helping their children grow their vocabulary, put sentences
together and learn the art of conversation. This blog will be the first in my
series of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Toy Talk</i></b>, ways to play with your child and increase their
communication skills. Some people talk to much and some people talk too little
when communication with their children. These Toy Talks will help with the
words to say. Remember with younger children-short sentences that will increase
as your child grows. Short pauses between sentences gives your child a chance
to process what you have said and gives her the opportunity to formulate a
response.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h4>
Tea Sets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCNj-TMlexsJ1Cm-I61TNSpa7Oj-iYIz9NizoG3fndbeZL60sDpIL-H2RKHsJ8ywBLG7Jf3gL_MyYdftAy6kMGvzZMMFvN_zSxC1h4cLs4kP70DneDq-Z0Of2EEaTC0oTR0pHpaxXP7A/s1600/dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCNj-TMlexsJ1Cm-I61TNSpa7Oj-iYIz9NizoG3fndbeZL60sDpIL-H2RKHsJ8ywBLG7Jf3gL_MyYdftAy6kMGvzZMMFvN_zSxC1h4cLs4kP70DneDq-Z0Of2EEaTC0oTR0pHpaxXP7A/s1600/dishes.jpg" /></a></div>
</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From 18-24 months children are beginning to enjoy imaginative
play. They pretend to make you a “tea” or “coffee” adding the “milk” and
“sugar”. A <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-creative-play-pre-school/kitchen-play-time" target="_blank">tea set </a>is also a great toy for two children to enjoy together. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hi Dylan, Jessie and I
were just going to make some tea. Would you like some? Here is a cup for you-
you can have the blue cup and Jessie has the red. Let’s try and find the plate
that matches. Here it is- here’s the blue plate and Jessie here is the red
plate. Jessie, can you pour some tea? Mmmm, it’s so good- I need some
milk-Dylan can you pour some milk in my cup? Oh, thank you. This is delicious.
Should we get some crackers to go with our tea?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can continue playing with them or once you have modeled
this type of play you can leave them for a while to play together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h4>
Fire Truck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu0xjLVxa6VDSlDGDVkWvNVsX-UKSYnPh3cZ9ZCl5gTKRR_akZAaSqTpG56aOaYxnkeKol6PsFN89ay-RHYrz6vb7U0ukLueCKLPobOcnueABrCo11YIeRnah_7vvD-BVgQrW05eT5tE/s1600/Fire+truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu0xjLVxa6VDSlDGDVkWvNVsX-UKSYnPh3cZ9ZCl5gTKRR_akZAaSqTpG56aOaYxnkeKol6PsFN89ay-RHYrz6vb7U0ukLueCKLPobOcnueABrCo11YIeRnah_7vvD-BVgQrW05eT5tE/s1600/Fire+truck.jpg" /></a></div>
</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many children love to play with <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Baby-18-36-Months/18-36-Months-creative-play-baby/ride-on-fire-engine" target="_blank">fire trucks</a>. A fun trip
would be to visit your local fire station. With a toy fire truck your child can
pretend to be a firefighter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ding-ding-ding, I hear
the fire bell. There must be a fire- let’s get our fire truck and see if we can
help! Let’s drive to the building. Do you see the flames coming from the
building. We have to get the ladder and the hose. Climb up the ladder and see
if you can rescue the kitty. Wow, you did it. Now we have to put out the fire
with water. Yea! The fire is out- you saved the day!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again you are not requiring your child to answer questions.
Instead you are modeling play and giving the words, the vocabulary, that goes
with that specific toys and play scheme. You will be amazed as you walk away or
on another day hearing your child using the same words and play ideas you
modeled.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Play and have fun,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lois</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h2>
<o:p>About the Author</o:p></h2>
<div>
<o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_chiwkpQP3aoy-d74dxX8PHOwoGdCxnf41wZmnrDYplRFpQyQutROg2kugTHcOAYVvOrjK6LW6npa7501EraewCNbz9fXG4e0KLrzLlD2eqrvobjDoDT1XLMB98dicYsUIEpChvnb_o/s1600/picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_chiwkpQP3aoy-d74dxX8PHOwoGdCxnf41wZmnrDYplRFpQyQutROg2kugTHcOAYVvOrjK6LW6npa7501EraewCNbz9fXG4e0KLrzLlD2eqrvobjDoDT1XLMB98dicYsUIEpChvnb_o/s1600/picture.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></o:p></div>
<div>
<o:p><i>Lois Kam Heymann, M.A. CCC-SLP is an expert Speech, Language and Learning specialist with over 30 years of helping kids reach their full potential in communication and learning skills. She is a recognized leader in the treatment of children with language, learning and auditory challenges. She is the Director of Communication Therapy at the Center for Hearing and Communication in New York City. She has been a professor, is a noted author and a frequent guest speaker. Her book </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Hope-Recognizing-Treating-Processing/dp/0345512189/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406137868&sr=1-1&" target="_blank">The Sound of Hope</a> <i>has been endorsed by Rosie O'Donnell and many others. Her mission is to teach parents about active listening and how to understand the developmental needs of their children. She's now delighted to be bringing parents the quality toys she believes will enhance children's development on her new website-</i><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/" target="_blank">ListenLoveLearn.com </a></o:p></div>
</div>
<br />
<h2>
<o:p> </o:p></h2>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-39478074176582052702014-08-28T13:33:00.000-07:002014-08-28T13:33:00.088-07:00CU-Boulder Study Shows the Value of Play in Goal Achievement for Children<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
What is the value of play? Is structured activity best for kids, or do their <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/process-listen-love-learn/" target="_self">goal achievement</a> capabilities excel with more free time? These are the basic questions parents and policy makers ask each other regularly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaISL1l7c-k1R7_z9jmYWMzIb951twEJINIpGswuLlM13dvyWV1C6vb9VslzgGeqCl6m61_TuBwrENA1fkO_309IBbEj3gkSibd3K1h45Z56oijXOd1Fyo35J7EWmFH4PWLcSeyTyhUk/s1600/kids+goal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaISL1l7c-k1R7_z9jmYWMzIb951twEJINIpGswuLlM13dvyWV1C6vb9VslzgGeqCl6m61_TuBwrENA1fkO_309IBbEj3gkSibd3K1h45Z56oijXOd1Fyo35J7EWmFH4PWLcSeyTyhUk/s1600/kids+goal.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<strong>The Importance of Self-Directed Executive Functioning</strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
To find the answers, the University of Colorado - Boulder led a study exploring children’s abilities to set and achieve goals based on whether their days are filled with structured activities or less-structured play. The study, which is published in the journal <a href="http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00593/abstract" target="_blank">Frontiers in Psychology</a>, begins to unravel the value of play when it comes to goal achievement.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
The ability to establish and reach goals independent of parental nagging is thanks to a child’s high level of “self-directed executive functioning.” That is to say, the child has the ability to connect previous experiences with current decisions, to exhibit mental control and self-regulation.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
For example, a child knows to wear a coat without a parent’s coaxing and gets her homework done before dinner because she has plans that night. Because these simple acts demonstrate self-directed executive functioning – a skill that can increase wealth, promote health and decrease the chance of incarceration in adulthood – parents and experts are interested in learning how to improve this trait early in children’s lives.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<strong>Making the Connection Between Play and Goal Achievement</strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
For the study, researchers asked parents of 6- and 7-year-olds to report their children’s activities for a week and categorize these activities as “structured” (such as doing chores, playing sports and taking lessons) or “less structured” (such as playing alone or with others, going on social outings, reading, and playing video games).</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
Next the researchers evaluated the children’s executive functioning skills with a verbal fluency assignment where the children chose <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/blog/2012/01/helping-your-child-follow-directions/" target="_self">when to switch to a new category</a>. The study found that when children enjoy more less-structured activities, they apparently have more time to practice self-directed decision making. The results in academic and social situations are children who get better grades, have natural leadership skills and enjoy healthier relationships.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
To learn more about the value of play, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self">ListenLoveLearn</a> today.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-81872610168716314072014-08-26T13:30:00.000-07:002014-08-26T13:30:01.645-07:00 When Children Build and Create, Does It Affect Their Brains? Harvard Wants to Know<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8oj_kbNUiyBFznsmvfMA2MaUpubgUnu4si8pOHmLFoJlc6MVWGS5MDQb5cdRpbzNHJYoidK8zOiKp4HKCzr1kTtolQ0UNBPfg9_gpdfDBX19NyTV8T3f4bsUq_Ju998D62wbw80onRI/s1600/Kid+builder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8oj_kbNUiyBFznsmvfMA2MaUpubgUnu4si8pOHmLFoJlc6MVWGS5MDQb5cdRpbzNHJYoidK8zOiKp4HKCzr1kTtolQ0UNBPfg9_gpdfDBX19NyTV8T3f4bsUq_Ju998D62wbw80onRI/s1600/Kid+builder.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Schools today place a heavy emphasis on sitting still, listening to lectures and memorizing information. What about creativity? What about interacting with the world around them? When <a href="http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/11/harvard-wants-to-know-how-does-making-shape-kids-brains/" target="_blank">children build and create</a>, they are actively engaged in exploring new concepts firsthand.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
Researchers from Harvard are scientifically exploring how building and creating affects children’s brains. The initiative, called <a href="http://www.pz.harvard.edu/" target="_blank">Project Zero</a>, has explored child and adult learning processes since 1967.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
The most recent work of investigating what happens when children build and create is being conducted in public and private schools in Oakland, California. Researchers have teamed up with 15 participating teachers who meet every six weeks so the researchers can give teachers specific activities to incorporate into the lessons they already teach. Then teachers report back on classroom behavior and other observations gathered through surveys and conversations.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
One example of an activity researchers asked teachers to include was to ask students to examine an object, looking at all of its separate parts first and then how all the parts fit together as a whole. One elementary school teacher had the children explore objects in the room, such as tennis shoes. A high school technology teacher asked students to examine the inner workings of a Google Doc. Some teachers asked the students to re-purpose the object so it performed a new function.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
The Harvard researchers are excited to see the end results of this branch of Project Zero, a three-year project that began at the beginning of the school year in 2012. By the end of it, they expected to not only have academic research regarding how learning improves when children build and create, but to also understand what works and what doesn’t work in a classroom setting.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
Give your children a chance to build and create at home with games and building blocks from <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-sorting-motor-skills?page=1" target="_self">LiveLoveLearnToys</a>. Then contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/contact/" target="_self">LiveLoveLearn</a> for more information.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-88704751360028116182014-08-21T09:00:00.000-07:002014-08-21T09:00:01.761-07:00 Looking for a Fun Activity for Kids? Try Finger Knitting<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNvRd_l0kd7AtGy7wKhOPXHqrL63dSXmeD2QeRu-Fbhc-yNjEUlcdG3POAxbkaIQnMEowcQNtyp5gSShwA3pDrC8xD_JUNR_EOXzgR3QSfqf4nIYgik-ZE7yvsi8xee93a57D9Xbmprc/s1600/kid+knitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNvRd_l0kd7AtGy7wKhOPXHqrL63dSXmeD2QeRu-Fbhc-yNjEUlcdG3POAxbkaIQnMEowcQNtyp5gSShwA3pDrC8xD_JUNR_EOXzgR3QSfqf4nIYgik-ZE7yvsi8xee93a57D9Xbmprc/s1600/kid+knitting.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Are you looking for a <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/apps-books/">fun activity for kids</a> that will help them occupy themselves. How about finger knitting? This activity is a great way for kids to grasp the concept of knitting. It’s easy to do, and you don’t need any special tools. All you'll need is yarn (or a long, stretched-out strip of an old t-shirt you cut up), scissors and your fingers to use as a loom. The finished product makes a cute jersey bracelet. Use more yarn or a longer fabric strip to make a headband.<br />
For illustrations to help your child understand finger knitting, check out these <a href="http://kids.baristanet.com/2014/07/finger-knitting-fun/">Barista Kids instructions</a>.<br />
Here’s how finger knitting works:<br />
<ul>
<li>Step 1: Turn your non-dominant hand palm-side-up. Place the yarn strand between your thumb and palm, leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn on the back of your hand.</li>
<li>Step 2: Weave the yarn between your fingers: over the pointer finger, under the middle finger, over the ring finger and under the pinkie finger.</li>
<li>Step 3: Weave the yarn back through: over the pinkie finger, under the ring finger, over the middle finger and under the pointer finger. You now have a loop over each finger.</li>
<li>Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3, wrapping the yarn around your knuckles.</li>
<li>Step 5: Pull the lower of the two sets of loops over the top of each finger. This is the first row of finger knitting. The yarn is now secure so you can let go of the 6-inch tail you have been holding with your thumb.</li>
<li>Step 6: Push the top row down and repeat the weaving actions until you reach the desired length.</li>
<li>Step 7: Finish the bracelet/headband by removing the final loop from each finger. Cut the yarn 6 inches down and thread this through the final loops. Tighten the yarn and double knot it to secure it in place.</li>
</ul>
If you liked this fun activity for kids, visit <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/">ListenLoveLearnToys</a> to find other activities that make a difference. Then, contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/">ListenLoveLearn</a> for more tips about empowering your child’s listening and learning development.</div>
<br />
<i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-58615191398959266002014-08-19T09:00:00.000-07:002014-08-19T09:00:02.088-07:00What Can We Learn from Finland’s Free Play Approach to School and Learning?<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
As anyone who went to <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/blog/2013/10/back-to-school/" target="_self">school in the United States</a> can attest to, students don’t receive breaks every hour. To <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/06/how-finland-keeps-kids-focused/373544/" target="_blank">Tim Walker</a>, an American teacher working in Finland, the idea of giving students a 15-minute break every 45 minutes seemed like a waste of time. He decided to get creative with the students’ schedules and teach them for 90 minutes with a 30-minute break at the end.</div>
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Just three days into the school year, the teacher received a complaint from one fifth grader who said, “I think I’m going to explode! I’m not used to this schedule.” Once Mr. Walker reversed his schedule alteration, he noticed the students no longer dragged their feet, but instead walked with a spring in their step after returning from the 15-minute break. More importantly, they were extra focused during lessons.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNh11P913Q2wY1H0_tJjOBI9Dtfv41Nr-StcgPaTKjZPYrF09NjzrtCFROXISYjbYKM9pD5hAxHqWHmHzjv6Otpeu4WxzBjWtvq1OvNKkn1VFW10up_RS1Yikl3p9KZ7BIDEUZx0-xHQ/s1600/kids+on+playground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNh11P913Q2wY1H0_tJjOBI9Dtfv41Nr-StcgPaTKjZPYrF09NjzrtCFROXISYjbYKM9pD5hAxHqWHmHzjv6Otpeu4WxzBjWtvq1OvNKkn1VFW10up_RS1Yikl3p9KZ7BIDEUZx0-xHQ/s1600/kids+on+playground.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mr. Walker learned firsthand about Finland’s free play approach to school and learning, which has been the norm in that country since the 1960s. An important part of the break is that students decide how to spend their time. They go out to the playground together or have their break indoors; it doesn’t matter where the students have recess as long as they have free play away from their structured work.</div>
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Recess loses the ability to reenergize children if it’s a teacher-directed break time. Recess serves not only as a chance to relax, but as a time of learning important skills, such as cooperation, communication and compromise. While these are skills students need to succeed academically, they are largely learned outside the classroom.</div>
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If teachers can stop looking at recess as wasted time, they can stop feeling guilty about cutting instruction short to give their students a break. Perhaps that’s just the thing American schools need to learn from Finland and other countries with high academic success: free play is just as important for learning as <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/process-listen-love-learn/" target="_self">listening</a> to a formal lecture in the classroom. And let’s be honest; the teachers benefit from the breaks as well.</div>
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To learn more about the connection between frequent breaks, free play and learning essential skills, please contact <a href="http://www.listenlovelearn.com/" target="_self">ListenLoveLearn</a>.</div>
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<i>Image via <a href="http://shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360177603501198138.post-30111748644421784572014-08-17T18:09:00.000-07:002014-08-17T18:09:29.980-07:00<h2>
Thoughts on Back To School</h2>
<h3>
<o:p>Thoughts on Back To School </o:p></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QYoAYcNApcLAZZ2xAROowJi3Wy4kTcUqA4U2gECRNe3zqqeNDx_qJC3JctYelVcBZ8XOICVWjcuvnKQbA9zyYgnfCc9Om5nPZ1kVed_2GY8tiEtwMq6NizXnAxcC0eipy26DqqzEZ74/s1600/calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QYoAYcNApcLAZZ2xAROowJi3Wy4kTcUqA4U2gECRNe3zqqeNDx_qJC3JctYelVcBZ8XOICVWjcuvnKQbA9zyYgnfCc9Om5nPZ1kVed_2GY8tiEtwMq6NizXnAxcC0eipy26DqqzEZ74/s1600/calendar.jpg" /></a>It is the middle of August and those of us who have children
or work with children start thinking of back to school. School brings structure
to a child’s day and expectations for performance. Current research tells us
that children who perform best academically, socially and emotionally work hard
but also have to “let down” by relaxing and playing. So, I thought I would
recommend toys and activities that put together the two, academics and play,
together.</div>
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<h4>
Organization</h4>
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Days of the week and months of the year- it is important for
our kids to know these sequences so they can then learn the temporal (time
concepts) today, yesterday, tomorrow, before and after. A <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/My-Magnetic-Daily-Calendar?search=Calendar" target="_blank">calendar </a>also helps a child learn to schedule and look ahead to
their week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Organizational skills
are known to be the cornerstone skill for learning. Help you child learn this
important skill while having fun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfcIvJ4ntibE7vSJiP1lVW7M3Hx0Pwiqx3Chk6rvubqvE_FzY3NpbB8AmmwzzFX4D3-Ux7z0HBTfQcYDOKaCEGx3mDWbySDghJ1l6bfvDDnPArGuip2scGivpMR2TcIEadG9Mi0GhwIM/s1600/abcblocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfcIvJ4ntibE7vSJiP1lVW7M3Hx0Pwiqx3Chk6rvubqvE_FzY3NpbB8AmmwzzFX4D3-Ux7z0HBTfQcYDOKaCEGx3mDWbySDghJ1l6bfvDDnPArGuip2scGivpMR2TcIEadG9Mi0GhwIM/s1600/abcblocks.jpg" /></a></div>
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<h4>
Pre-Reading Skills</h4>
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Phonological awareness skills (letters and sounds) are the
basis for reading skills. Using <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Baby-18-36-Months/18-36-Months-Hand-Eye-Coordination" target="_blank">letter blocks</a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>to learn the letter name and then the sound associated with the letter sets
the basis for reading. Using the blocks you can then “build “words- c-a-t,
blend it together to read cat, m-a-n or s-i-t. Now you can substitute the first
letter with another letter- cat becomes mat and sit becomes hit. You have just
taught your child to rhyme. From there you can play a <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Pre-School-3%20-5-Years/3-5-Years-Language-Skills-pre-school/rhyme-robber" target="_blank">rhyming game</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71UXg1GaaaXarTxZ6ZnkvAtH7dCCooKizv4dftGOiTLKD-t2GbutLV-NHmZBmNl90bGcw3dr19jvjarEExtJ7tJQ_g7YhyO0TuAlUWsreWx_SiHr4aDhPTpzVSumUBWuQ1seDrM4pUAM/s1600/rhyme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71UXg1GaaaXarTxZ6ZnkvAtH7dCCooKizv4dftGOiTLKD-t2GbutLV-NHmZBmNl90bGcw3dr19jvjarEExtJ7tJQ_g7YhyO0TuAlUWsreWx_SiHr4aDhPTpzVSumUBWuQ1seDrM4pUAM/s1600/rhyme.jpg" /></a></div>
and just like that they begin to read!<br />
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<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUGa2C2GdJV2y7Nm36L9hnGTO4LSlqixKCCK7ZOH5EWWPmP1JQQAw_SE0EufuqrQcC9VRizUr8VP8kdLt9E03x-1MywHSGIIKaREtjHk4nW6siGHxdAtidxuq7yr6gzt2zOwjsf9T61M/s1600/puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUGa2C2GdJV2y7Nm36L9hnGTO4LSlqixKCCK7ZOH5EWWPmP1JQQAw_SE0EufuqrQcC9VRizUr8VP8kdLt9E03x-1MywHSGIIKaREtjHk4nW6siGHxdAtidxuq7yr6gzt2zOwjsf9T61M/s1600/puzzle.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>Problem Solving</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkyoG0Q93vYXzpBXjiQ4-0aNPSDZTde_ggiRP7FpS_CF0_kLVPU-BQIHLrju0TAiWjih30xQRlEomIn9IBXeY3Alar_Q6AseHO7J-5R5LsNwM7sanxGDzhJyGwNfxg7DWKR4ZKcc1Uuk/s1600/sequence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkyoG0Q93vYXzpBXjiQ4-0aNPSDZTde_ggiRP7FpS_CF0_kLVPU-BQIHLrju0TAiWjih30xQRlEomIn9IBXeY3Alar_Q6AseHO7J-5R5LsNwM7sanxGDzhJyGwNfxg7DWKR4ZKcc1Uuk/s1600/sequence.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>In each grade of school one of the main goals is to teach
children to solve problems. How do we begin to think about problems and
solutions? Puzzles and sequencing games! A <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/puzzle-fun-sea-life-traffic?search=puzzle" target="_blank">puzzle</a> presents a problem- “What
piece fits where?” and we solve the problem through trial and error through
guessing and strategizing. We can begin to teach our children these skills by
presenting them very early in their development with fun and interesting
puzzles. What about story telling? Every story has a sequence, a beginning middle
and end. Teaching a child to <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/What-Comes-Next-Self-Correcting-Sequence-Puzzles?search=puzzle" target="_blank">sequence</a>
information to tell a story sets the stage for developing this skill.</div>
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<h4>
Smarty Pants</h4>
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Let’s arm our kids with <a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/Smarty-Pants-1st-Grade-Card-Set?search=Smarty%20Pants" target="_blank">fun facts</a> and funny trivia. The more
they know the more they can contribute to the conversation. Let them be a
Smarty Pants with sets of information for each age group, Kindergarten through
5<sup>th</sup> grade.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2loPmuBmauE1C0zrqXSuuVdc4wntg3G77pr7NNVcjfeldEMYPtQy0ExD9nP4TWEed50ELuv190lUqfIkIAb7jXPmY_NH7rBOkLuHpmL9o2O9eNJOg_I66nfIViKtR1RipM1QQJ5voZfY/s1600/smarty+pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2loPmuBmauE1C0zrqXSuuVdc4wntg3G77pr7NNVcjfeldEMYPtQy0ExD9nP4TWEed50ELuv190lUqfIkIAb7jXPmY_NH7rBOkLuHpmL9o2O9eNJOg_I66nfIViKtR1RipM1QQJ5voZfY/s1600/smarty+pants.jpg" /></a></div>
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School time is almost here- time for focusing and learning.
But remember- we learn more when we can combine learning with play and play is
FUN!</div>
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<h2>
<o:p>About the Author</o:p></h2>
<div>
<o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_chiwkpQP3aoy-d74dxX8PHOwoGdCxnf41wZmnrDYplRFpQyQutROg2kugTHcOAYVvOrjK6LW6npa7501EraewCNbz9fXG4e0KLrzLlD2eqrvobjDoDT1XLMB98dicYsUIEpChvnb_o/s1600/picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_chiwkpQP3aoy-d74dxX8PHOwoGdCxnf41wZmnrDYplRFpQyQutROg2kugTHcOAYVvOrjK6LW6npa7501EraewCNbz9fXG4e0KLrzLlD2eqrvobjDoDT1XLMB98dicYsUIEpChvnb_o/s1600/picture.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></o:p></div>
<div>
<o:p><i>Lois Kam Heymann, M.A. CCC-SLP is an expert Speech, Language and Learning specialist with over 30 years of helping kids reach their full potential in communication and learning skills. She is a recognized leader in the treatment of children with language, learning and auditory challenges. She is the Director of Communication Therapy at the Center for Hearing and Communication in New York City. She has been a professor, is a noted author and a frequent guest speaker. Her book </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Hope-Recognizing-Treating-Processing/dp/0345512189/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406137868&sr=1-1&" target="_blank">The Sound of Hope</a> <i>has been endorsed by Rosie O'Donnell and many others. Her mission is to teach parents about active listening and how to understand the developmental needs of their children. She's now delighted to be bringing parents the quality toys she believes will enhance children's development on her new website-</i><a href="http://listenlovelearntoys.com/" target="_blank">ListenLoveLearn.com </a></o:p></div>
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<h2>
<o:p> </o:p></h2>
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<o:p> </o:p></h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17456353711830929546noreply@blogger.com0