As numerous of us are probably finishing up our holiday shopping I have been reminded about how children really are fascinated with the simplest things.   I had an epiphany while looking on behalf of a toy on behalf of Abby this season.  At the time I really felt she needed it  this Christmas.  The toy is has some great technology as well as she would have played with it independently as well as been very entertained by it  BUT I realized that the one thing this particular toy did was remove human  interaction from the playing equation as well as worse yet would remove parent/child connection from the equation.  I’ve at all times been convinced that connecting with our children is very important but at the end of my convention experience I know that it is integral to brain development.   Below is an article shared by another Kindermusik Educator that goes right in conjunction with what I’m trying to say.  Thanks Danielle Grimes!   By the way I decided to  buy her some simple toys as well as books that we could play with combined as well as that she would actually seek out others to join in her play.
“Raindrops on roses, as well as whiskers on kittens!”

 
Have you noticed how much pleasure your toddler can find in touching a pansy petal to his cheek? …or the fascination in the eyes of a three year old who has discovered a spider crawling on its web? Everyone who has a one-on-one relationship with a child can get “back to basics” in a blink of an eye. Even fuzz-balls under the fridge can capture a little one’s interest. Think about the toys you or your child loved most….. probably a cuddly bear, a houseful of “little round people”, wooden building blocks, Colorforms shape sets, or play pots as well as pans, dishes as well as some play dough “food”.  We at all times joked that our kids favorite toys were rocks as well as sticks.  A two year old can still spend hours playing with soapy suds or digging in the sand. Remember the basics when choosing toys as well as there shall be less frustration on behalf of you AND your children. No batteries, raucous electronic voices or beeps, software that disappoints, violent games, or lost pieces in the bottom of the toy box. A gift of a big plastic tub with snap-on lid filled with age appropriate art supplies as well as blank paper, a plastic drop cloth, as well as a collection of “stuff” such as tissue tubes, stickers, rubber bands, feathers, scraps of fabric as well as construction paper might be one of the best gifts you could give. But don’t just set it down in front of your child…. “Let’s see what we can make!” could be the magic words. Don’t insist on conformity or beauty. Just the experience of construction can take great satisfaction. There are some good books on home-made

instruments on behalf of parents as well as children to manufacture together, combining music as well as craft/art as well as parent/child connection.
What gifts of connection can you give this holiday season.  Let me hear of your successes and/or disasters. We can all learn from each other!