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CHILDREN'S THERAPY
CENTER of Battle Creek, MI

Children's Therapy Center 601 South Shore Dr. #121 Battle Creek, MI 49014
269 963-7979 toll free: 888-850-9157 www.helpingyourchild.com
copyright 2009 Children's Therapy Center

by Teri Allen, OTR/L

Although technology is changing our
lives, children's brains still develop the
old fashioned way. Each child needs a
wealth of sensory and movement
experiences to develop to their fullest
potential. Play is the perfect media for
children to get these experiences and
toys are an integral part of play!

You can help your child develop in all
areas by careful toy selection. When
you make your Christmas shopping
list include toys that give your child a
well balanced "play diet". Look for
toys that develop the large muscles
needed for running, jumping and
climbing as well as the small muscles
needed for writing, buttoning and
cutting. Provide toys that stimulate
each of your child's senses such as
touch, vision and hearing. Consider
toys that encourage both solitary
play, creative thinking and group play.

Look for toys that:

can be used in a variety of ways
span a range of interests and
ages
are durable
are easily cleaned
are safe
and, of course, are fun!

"For years specialists have been
advising parents to look for 'open
ended' toys - in other words, toys
that can be used again and again in
multiple ways. A set of blocks may
become a skyscraper today, a zoo
tomorrow, and a space station the
next day." *

Here are some great web sites - Have
fun shopping!!

1. Parent Magazine toy rating

2. Meyers Toy World

3. Back to Basic Toys

4. SPD Foundation, Flaghouse

"To children there are
few things so eagerly
anticipated, fervently
desired, or frequently
requested as a new toy.
Ask them what they like
about toys and the
answer is simple - toys
are fun! And they're
right. Toys are fun.
What's more, they are
the basic tools children
use to enrich their play
and learning." *

* (Buy Me, Buy Me! The Bank
Street Guide to Choosing Toys
for Children by Joanne
Oppenheim)

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