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Household "Toys" That Teach
Fun and Learning for Little Ones from Items Around the House
By Katherine Bontrager
Every day, parents scour stores for the newest developmental toys that promise to entertain and teach their toddlers and preschoolers. But they could be missing the good stuff that's right under their noses – namely household items they already own that can provide hours of entertainment and learning. So before you race out to the store, give yourself and your wallet a break and check out these cool "toys" you didn't even know you had.
"As a parent, you probably noticed your young child being more interested in the box than the toy that came in it," says Kerry Caverly, director of The Center for Professional Development and Enrichment at Parents as Teachers National Center in St. Louis, Mo. "So think simple – there are dozens of materials around your house that can be used to stimulate your child's curiosity and foster her development."
The first stop? Right in your very own kitchen, says Laurel Bongiorno, an associate professor in the Education Department at Champlain College in Burlington, Vt. "I think people overlook that children can use what's already in the kitchen," Bongiorno says. "Pots and pans are definitely a wonderful play tool. They allow children to play 'chef,' and as a parent, if you offer them some food to mix in the pots, the play turns real. When they're done playing, they can turn the pots over, grab a spoon and use them as a musical instrument."
Another great "toy" is measuring cups or spoons. "Let children actually use the measuring cups and spoons and explore with them and then at some point, have them add a teaspoon or a cup of something to the meal you're preparing," Bongiorno says. "Or take a plastic container and fill it with water or oatmeal and give them a measuring cup or spoon to play with. This builds coordination and vocabulary as you explain, 'You're using the teaspoon now to measure out the oatmeal.'"
