Old-Fashioned Ways to Inspire Children
"Walk through any toy store and you will see walls and walls of toys that are loud -- toys that require batteries, have flashing lights, or that look like your child's favorite movie character. What is there for parents who want to raise children with imagination and curiosity? I'll tell you what we do. We choose to fill our houses with the following old-fashioned items.
Books
No house can have enough books. Make sure your house has a representation of great fiction Books and non-fiction books. A mix of the two is very important.
Most homes have a deficit of non-fiction books, so make sure your home is filled with Science, History and Art books. Children need to learn to read and appreciate non-fiction books in order to do well in research when they reach higher levels of study.
Felt Boards
Children love to tell stories with felt. You'll need a felt board to start. You can make your own board from a sheet of felt or purchase a board.
Once you have the board, let the fun begin.
StoryTeller, at http://www.felt4fun.com , has a great line of products -- felt sets, felt books, and so much more. The quality of their products is excellent. Visit their site to get a sample and feel the thick felt yourself. Be sure to check out the dolls with the felt clothing that sticks to them. My daughter loves these!
Also, go to a craft or fabric store and buy sheets of felt in all colors. Then, cut out shapes in all colors and sizes. (You'll be amazed at how quickly a child will make an alien, ship, house, or person out of nothing but a few circles, rectangles, and triangles.)
Blocks and Legos
Children can play for hours building towers, bridges, cities, creatures, and more with these toys that inspire creativity, patience, and small-motor skills. When the masterpiece is finished, have your child pretend to be a giant and smash through the blocks!
Art Supplies
Give your child some crayons, scissors, junk mail, and glue. He or she will be entertained for hours if given encouragement. Please SUPERVISE closely if you don't want your child to have a self-induced bad haircut or attach the dog to her artwork!
Puppets
Make puppets out of socks, paper bags, felt, cloth, or popsicle sticks. Make a stage and tell stories. Get out the video camera and capture your child's brilliance!
Musical Instruments
Whether your musical instruments are home-made with a comb and wax paper or store bought, making music is a wonderful way to spend the day. Teach your child that music can be made from anything, from an old oatmeal container, to scratching two pieces of sandpaper together. Go on a walk and just listen to the sounds of the world -- music is everywhere in our lives.
Dress-up Clothes
Get out old prom dresses, big hats, shirts and ties, old Halloween costumes (or buy extra pieces after Halloween for year-round fun!). Bring out a box of costumes and watch the shows that your children put on for you. Keep a camera handy to capture the fun. Also, keep an eye on the pets. Cats don't always appreciate wearing a sombrero. Trust me, I have the scars to prove it!
Doll-houses
There is nothing more fun than watching your child make up stories as the family members move around in a doll house. Plus, if it is a wooden dollhouse, there is the added benefit of decorating it with some wallpaper scraps and carpet remnants! Your dollhouse could be a family heirloom if you put enough love into it.
In the Kitchen
Kids love to play Kitchen, when it is mixing air, or getting to play with food. Give your child a great time by giving them safe kitchen utensils to play with in the bathtub. Mixing, pouring, and scooping bubbles and water entertains my children long enough for them to look pruny. Or for a fun alternative, give them puffed rice cereal and some bowls and utensils on the kitchen floor. Just plan to vacuum afterwards as there'll be quite a wonderful mess!
About The Author
Nicole is the wacky mom behind http://www.ShowMomTheMoney.com . She was recently awarded the WAHM Community MVP of the Year 2004 by WAHMTalkRadio.com. Nicole also owns http://www.ShowKidsTheFun.com - a fun site to inspire parents to keep the lines of communication open with their children.
Copyright 2004 by Nicole Dean - May be reprinted with Author information intact.
Latest News
is there any correlation between bad parenting... AllHipHop - is it essential for a parent to teach you a thing or two about men or women when it comes to crafting your relationship{mackin} skills and is it possible ... YOU'RE/THAT'S SO GHETTO |
The Intersect Between Reporting and Parenting Tecumseh Herald, MI - Sometimes, though, circumstances make it so that all I can do is be the parent. Take last night's band concert in Britton. Just take yesterday in general, ... |
Chief Parenting Extends C-Level Parental Suite to Include Chief ... PR Web (press release), WA - Empowering men and women to become exemplary parents, recognizing those that do and honoring them with their earned executive level parenting titles, ... |
Spencer Bachus Approves of Nanny State, Opposes Parenting Casino Gambling Web, FL - Long time supporter of legalization and regulation of all forms of online gambling, Gordon Price, said, "Instead of teaching parents how to filter the ... |
 Examiner.com | Parenting Tip of the Day: Lay off the sarcasm Examiner.com - by Terreece Clarke, Parenting Examiner I'm a sarcastic human being. I'm like Ralphie's dad from A Christmas Story, he dabbled in obsenities, ... |
 TheTimes | Make holidays brighter for children of incarcerated parents, she says TheTimes, OR - By Kristen Forbes A Parenting Inside Out class graduate poses with her son. She and her two children will be gift recipients at the Center for Family ... |
Free parenting workshop today at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church ... Alexandria Town Talk, LA - A free parenting workshop will be held today, Dec. 4, at 6 pm at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church located at 1910 Harris Street Alexandria. ... |
 The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com | The Family Tree Baltimore Sun, United States - Volunteers older than 21 are needed as parent educators in North and South Counties to co-teach a Positive Parenting Course in 12-week intervals. ... Statistics about children in crisis |
Media Mogul Tommy Mottola Finds New Star in EEBEE MarketWatch - We're confident that co-parenting this business with Tommy Mottola will bring us to the next level of success." "We are delighted to partner with EVERY BABY ... |
Or Ami addresses parenting issues Agoura Hills Acorn, CA - Congregation Or Ami's Center for Jewish Parenting is currently offering a series of lectures that cover a wide range of parenting issues. ... |
Resources
-
Parents - The Greatest Parenting Secret in 50 Years!
Raising Kids With Life Skills makes both Parenting and growing up easier to do.
-
Parenting TOOLS to design the family of your dreams! What does your dream family look like?
Powerful tools for Parenting, anger management, and creative blocks!
-
Toddler Activities - Preschooler Activities - Children's Activities - Family Fun
Toddler activities to entertain and educate your toddler. 52 toddler activities and more! FREE newsletter with toddler activities, toddler play ideas and toddler crafts, relevant websites, Parenting quotes and more!
-
Many of our Ebooks are 100% FREE!
Download ebooks on website marketing, Parenting, ebook publishing and more.
-
Child behavior management without anger with this upbeat and effective Parenting tool.
An upbeat, fun Parenting tool for parents wishing to manage their behavior challenged kids.
-
More Fun Less Work Parenting Method - Increase Your Child's Emotional Intelligence
Fun Parenting method - teach your child emotional intelligence using curiosity and simple rules. Increase kid
-
Many of our Ebooks are 100% FREE!
Download ebooks on website marketing, Parenting, ebook publishing and more.
-
teach your baby how to read,early reading,Parenting advice,reading baby,toddler learning activity
You can teach your baby how to read. Reading early is possible.Your growing child learns through a cumulative process and targeted toddler learning activities. Crucial Parenting advice is key to unlocking your child
-
Practical Parenting Advice - children's behavior problems, child
behaviour problems, FREE parentin
Free Practical Parenting Advice - children
-
Divorce Parenting
Divorce resource for parents. Online seminar. Great tools for learning to help your family navigate the breakup process. Kids, Children, Parents, Family divorce tips and solutions. Powerful Strategies