What’s the best way to help my child develop her play skills?

The best way to help your child develop play skills is to play with her every day and introduce a variety of toys that tap into all areas of development. She won’t like them all equally, but with your help, she’ll be more likely to try just one more time. If you keep play-time short and fun, you can bet she will learn more skills playing with you than she ever would on her own.

Why can my daughter can sit and watch tv or play on a tablet for hours but is bored as soon as she’s unplugged?

You are not alone. All the bells and whistles on a tablet or computer capture a child’s attention. She just has to sit passively and the tv or computer game will do most of the work.

Old-fashioned, battery-free play requires different skills. For example, building with blocks, playing dress-up, and fingerpainting are help children use their imagination, build make-believe worlds, and create something original

Is technology bad for my child?

No, technology is not inherently bad for your child, especially if she’s over age 2. But like most things, technology is best appreciated in moderation. Unplugged, hands-on toys teach skills that computers and tablets don’t. Blocks and dress-up toys require a little extra oomph of effort on the child’s part. They tap into creativity and imagination in a way that most technology doesn’t. 

Water Play Ideas

Summer is a great time for water play. While it's not always possible to get to a lake or a pool, there are still lots of ways you can use water play for learning.

If you're stuck inside on a rainy day, mix up a small amount of dishwashing detergent in a shallow basin. Make a lot of suds and then pour off the water so only the bubbles are left. Depending on your child's age and interests (she should be old enough to not eat the bubbles), she can stand on a chair at the sink (with supervision) and wash utensils, plastic plates, glasses, etc. Or she can sit on the floor and wash a doll or other water-safe toys.

If you can get outside, a small pail of water and a clean furniture paint brush are lots of fun to use to paint the side of the house or the sidewalk. You will probably need to refill the pail regularly.

If you have a hose, you can turn it on low and let your child fill buckets, water the lawn or anything else within reach.

Of course, water activities mean your child will likely get wet all over -- but that's part of the fun.

These activities are wonderful ways to build language skills by talking about the items being washed or making up a story about the doll taking a bath.

The paint brush and bucket are fun ways to build fine motor skills. Did you know that lines and circles are the building blocks for later writing skills?

Enjoy the summer with your children!

How long should my child be able to play by himself?

Every child is different and the length of time kids can amuse themselves depends a lot on their interest in a particular toy or activity.  Usually, the younger the child, the shorter the time he or she will play independently. For a three-year-old, 5 – 10 minutes may be a long time. For a 5 year old, 15 – 30 minutes might not be unreasonable, if the activity is motivating.