Generally parents understand the importance of both outdoor and indoor play. Outdoor play has been shown to increase attention span while indoor play encourages more creative flow. However, when I speak with parents regarding their attempts to achieve regular playtime for their children, one of the most stated obstacles to play in general is weather. This is partly due to...
The month of February is often associated with Valentine’s Day, a day that represents love and having being chosen as the loved of someone special. Recently I was listening to the audiobook Born a Crime by comedian Trevor Noah. In it he states that the greatest gift you can give someone is to choose them. He was speaking of his...
With the increased presence of technology in children’s products and toys, you may have come across the term smart toys. These are typically expensive toys containing a computerized system or technological aspect increasing its capabilities or functions. But do smart toys necessary lead to smart play? The answer depends more on how the toy is used. What is Smart Play? As an...
February is the time of year for professing your true love, and I am not too shy to admit that one of my greatest passions is play. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I spend many hours of my week at play with children. The trunk of my car is full of games, toys, and equipment like balls and cushions. I design activities to foster skills...
It is commonly known that the holiday shopping season is very important to the toy industry. Just last year U.S. retail sales of toys topped $18 billion. Interestingly, there is a trend that could save you money instead of having you spend it if you gift your child the opportunity to embrace his or her creativity. The biggest theme from this year’s Toy Fair in...