Nurturing Play
By Vicki Durr
It's a constant endeavor to try to keep kids busy and interested in
daily activities. Nurturing play such as jigsaw puzzles, scavenger-
treasure hunt games, camping, healthy cooking, educational toys, or
kids crafts are a great way to spur their imagination, keep them busy
and interested in a specific task and help them learn great skills
and family values.
Jigsaw puzzles have for years been enchanting both children and
adults alike and providing hours of fun. Jigsaw puzzles originated
in the 1760's by European mapmakers and is a key element in building
strong family relationships as well as:
- Developing concentration and memory skills
- Fostering fine motor skills
- Increasing your child's self-esteem
-
Encouraging matching and sorting skills
- Re-enforcing your child's education
-
Stimulating discussion and language development
Scavenger-treasure hunt games have become an integral part of our
pastimes and continue to be an exciting family tradition. The
scavenger minded people are energetic when searching for unique items
that will earn the greatest point potential for their team before the
clock runs out. Whereas the treasure minded people appreciate the
challenge of solving mysteries by decoding clues that lead them to a
precious, valuable treasure. We use scavenger-treasure hunt games
for entertainment at parties and other family get-togethers.
Family camping trips are excellent opportunities to spend together as
a family. You learn how to work together as you forget all the cares
of your everyday life and at the same time discover Mother Nature's
beauties. You won't have all the luxuries of home, but camping
provides unique lifelong experiences that you don't find at home,
such as...
- No showers except for an occasional bath in the nearby stream
- Hikes to discover wild animals, flowers and tall meadow grass
- Gathering firewood for the campfire to roast hotdogs or
marshmallows, bake campfire pies or Smores
- Flashlight tag played in the dark, stories told or songs sung
around the campfire
- Cooking in or on the fire, a brown paper sack, or on a
propane stove
The kitchen is a great place to communicate and re-connect with your
child as you prepare meals and snacks. Reading recipes and measuring
ingredients teaches math concepts in a hand on fun environment. This
is a perfect opportunity to find out what's going on in your child's
life while spending quality time together.
We want to give our children the best to help them learn and grow.
Educational toys and kids crafts are a great way to accomplish this
goal while both you and your children have fun. Educational toys and
crafts come in many different forms and will vary according to your
child's needs, age, and preferences.
Sprinkling a combination of these nurturing play activities
throughout your child's daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly schedule
are proven and time-tested to produce happy, healthy, confident
children in a securely rooted family. What better way to spend a
childhood than with parents who care, support, and love
unconditionally…all through the power of play!!! •
© Vicki Durr 2004
About the Author
Vicki Durr is an experienced parent and
daycare professional. She
publishes the "Down Home News" www.seasonedhearts.com and has
been interviewed live from the Dallas, Texas studios of WBAP
News/Talk 820, an ABC/Disney Company. She has been married for 27
years and has two grown children.
09/03/05
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