I don’t mean to take the fun out of it, but when you choose toys, you’re actually in the brain-building business. Just think of yourself as a general contractor for neurons.
Even the most basic toy has the potential to build those brain cell connections that are critical to intellectual growth. It’s so easy to buy toys for your child’s age because there’s typically a sign on the box telling you the age for which the toy was designed.
My advice? Consider a toy for a child just a bit older than yours.
It follows the same concept as reading to your child. Read to them at a level slightly higher than their reading level because new vocabulary is introduced. And, because you’re reading to them, you can stop and explain the words.
If you buy a toy that’s a stretch for them, you sit down next to them and “spot” them. Let them explore the toy and when necessary, give them a hand.
There’s nothing like novelty to get dopamine flowing which enhances creativity. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they develop effective strategies.
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Even the most basic toy has the potential to build those brain cell connections that are critical to intellectual growth. It’s so easy to buy toys for your child’s age because there’s typically a sign on the box telling you the age for which the toy was designed.
My advice? Consider a toy for a child just a bit older than yours.
It follows the same concept as reading to your child. Read to them at a level slightly higher than their reading level because new vocabulary is introduced. And, because you’re reading to them, you can stop and explain the words.
If you buy a toy that’s a stretch for them, you sit down next to them and “spot” them. Let them explore the toy and when necessary, give them a hand.
There’s nothing like novelty to get dopamine flowing which enhances creativity. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they develop effective strategies.
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
