The Importance of Play

I would like to recommend that all parents read the following article on the importance of play recently published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in Jan. of 2007. www.aap.org-pressroom-playFINAL.pdf
One very important recommendation from this article is that "Pediatricians should emphasize the benefits of "True Toys" such as blocks and dolls with which children use their imagination fully, over passive toys that require limited imagination".

I am sure that many parents are concerned that the toys they select are appropriate to meet their child's developmental needs. However, if you are not an educator or professional in child development, do you really know ? CEO Toddler specializes in selecting pre-school toys to help parents stimulate creative play and imagination in young toddlers at various age levels. Our 3 collections of natural wooden "true toys" have been selected by a Speech Language Pathologist who is a specialist in early language development. Our toys and language activity manual will inspire your toddler to truly become a life-long learner. According to the AAOP article, "Creative play is important for the development of a healthy brain as well as improved academic and social learning. I encourage parents to follow their child's interests and let playtime be child-directed. The key to enhanced learning is through quality interactions and a deep connection that develops when you engage in back and forth play with your toddler. Parents can enrich their child's language development by using play-based activities that are incorporated into the playtime experience. In the early toddler years, interactive and imaginative play helps children prepare for the future. As stated in the article "It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them". "As they master their world, play helps children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges." I urge parents to think about toys as "learning tools". Parents can have a wonderful impact on their toddler 's learning success by playing at home with the right toys and the right materials.

Diane Simon MS CCC-SLP
www.ceotoddler.com