| The work of a child is play. Through play, children | | | | little guest tried wearing the measuring cups on his |
| explore their world, and much more. They | | | | head, like little caps. |
| practice social skills and stretch their imaginations | | | | Among my favorite creative play toys are |
| through make-believe games, and learn basic laws | | | | cardboard boxes. The larger, appliance-sized ones |
| of physics (like gravity, and cause and effect). | | | | make wonderful play houses. They can be easily |
| The best kind of play, creative play, should | | | | transformed from caves into castles, pirate ships, |
| stimulate a child's senses, intellect, and imagination. | | | | or fortresses. Children can decorate the walls of |
| Does that mean a trip to the "educational" toy | | | | their cardboard constructions with crayons, chalk, |
| store? Not at all! | | | | or stickers. With adult help, they can cut out |
| To encourage creative play, toys don't have to | | | | doors and windows. |
| be elaborate or expensive. In fact, the best | | | | Smaller cartons, the kind that are available in |
| creative play toys are often the simplest. Simple | | | | quantity an any liquor store, also offer lots of |
| toys allow for "open-ended" play, as they lend | | | | possibilities as creative play toys. Four of these, |
| themselves to multiple purposes. By their very | | | | turned on their sides and stacked 2 high and wide, |
| simplicity, they encourage the child to fill in the | | | | make a quick 4-room dollhouse for teddy bears |
| details with his or her imagination. | | | | and other toys. Stacked in a single column, they |
| Here's a quick story to illustrate my point: I | | | | become a castle tower for teddy. Lined up on the |
| recently enjoyed a visit from a friend and her 2 | | | | floor, they might be a train. A single box can be a |
| year old son. At bath time, my friend realized that | | | | doll cradle, or maybe a boat. |
| she'd forgotten to pack tub toys. No problem! A | | | | There are also certain practical advantages of |
| quick scan of my cupboards turned up a set of | | | | using boxes for creative play. Toys made of |
| tin measuring cups and a shallow plastic soap dish. | | | | cardboard boxes can be quickly flattened and |
| Suddenly, the bathtub was full of boats as the | | | | recycled when the play is done! The temporary |
| soap dish and tin cups bobbed in the water. Bath | | | | nature of the cardboard constructions is part of |
| water, poured from the measuring cups, became | | | | their appeal. Since they're not available all the time, |
| a waterfall, that swamped and sank the soap | | | | it's a special treat when they are. |
| dish, turning it into a submarine. At one point, my | | | | |