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Toys

Learning the Value of Possessions

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Especially around the holidays, marketing efforts are typically focused on getting the attention of youngsters. From a very young age, children naturally desire to shove current belongings to the side in hopes of getting the latest and greatest innovative gadgets and toys available. However, once children become old enough to recognize right from wrong, parents must instill a sense of value. This attribute involves appreciating what one has and taking care to see that possessions last. There are many different ways of introducing this time-honored virtue.

Consistency

Similar to establishing any habit or converting short-term into long-term memory, children retain information and develop behaviors by repetition. Teaching value is no exception. Unless continually reminded, kids often let lessons slip by the wayside. Be consistent and in time, behaviors gradually evolve and become habit.

using gadgets at home

Lead by Example

Children often emulate the attitudes and behaviors of parents from a young age. If parents do not exhibit traits that include value of possessions, children are also not likely to display the characteristic, regardless of how many times they endure a lecture. [Read more…] about Learning the Value of Possessions

The fake mustache: A fun new take on a kid’s party theme

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The fake mustache is all the rage these days – whether an irreverent accessory or silly sticker, the mustache is popping up almost everywhere. Adults and kids alike enjoy its appeal, so if you’re looking for a fun theme for your child’s next birthday party, consider the mustache!

First impressions

Who says kids are the only ones allowed to have fun at their birthday parties? Don a fake mustache sticker and guests will be laughing as soon as they see you (keep a straight, serious face for further comedic effect).   [Read more…] about The fake mustache: A fun new take on a kid’s party theme

Protecting Your Child from Lead Hazards

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Many parents are concerned today about the lead hazards in their child’s toys. Health authorities have been warning consumers in the recent years against buying toys that may contain lead. Certain products found to be positive of lead have also been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in a number of instances in the past.

Parents were warned again just this past holiday season that toys including the jewelry types may contain lead. But how can you really determine if a product has this hazardous element?

Lead is not visible to the naked eye and does not have any distinct smell. Take note, however, that toys manufactured in other countries and brought to the U.S. often contain lead. The same is true with antique toys or collectibles handed down from one generation to another. Toys can contain lead through the paint and plastic used in making them.
[Read more…] about Protecting Your Child from Lead Hazards

Before Dollhouses Became Toys

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The creation of dollhouses is an outgrowth of people’s interest in dolls. Being a plaything that usually resembles a baby or child that is especially appealing to girls, a doll can be further enjoyed by its owner in its own miniature house, complete with objects that make it look like an actual home. Dollhouses for girls have long been a source of joy and entertainment to girls of various ages.

The earliest-made dollhouse was known to have existed as early as the 15th century. Craftsmen filled the miniature houses with every conceivable household article such as furniture, books, clothing, musical instruments, silver, glassware, and china to make them very realistic. Dollhouses for girls come in different styles, most of which reflect architectural trends of a particular place and time.

Dollhouses were used by adults to showcase decorative figurines. It occupied a different level of importance as children were not allowed to get close to them primarily for their preservation. The more famous ones can be found in museums. Germans were believed to be the first ones to use dollhouses as toys. English dollhouses were inspired by the so-called Nuremberg kitchen imported from Germany. It was originally intended as a cooking game being a small model of a room with kitchen equipments. Succeeding variations came with several additional rooms which soon evolved into dollhouses. Americans were introduced to dollhouses in the 19th century.

Dollhouses were only found in the homes of wealthy people until the 20th century. They were objects of intricate and excellent craftsmanship typically having glass fronts and elaborate decoration. They were and are still considered trophy collections, played only by adults. It is a good thing that present dollhouses for girls are a lot more child-friendly and can truly be enjoyed by a child.

The Size Difference

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Large doll houses have entirely changed the playing landscape of children. No longer limited by the confines of the truly miniaturized versions of houses, the larger versions ensure more playing opportunities with playmates. The bigger size not only makes it possible to have more features that can hold a child’s attention, it also allows playmates to play simultaneously in different areas of the doll house.

Opting for large doll houses necessitate minor assembly work as it is not practical for manufacturers to have them packed fully assembled because of their size. The expected joy derived from having an excellent doll house choice more than makes up for the little extra work. The size also permits the inclusion of more furniture and accessories which are of course, such a delight to young children.

Large doll houses also offer more flexibility in personalizing doll houses while providing more opportunities to highlight a child’s creativity. The small hands of children may not yet be up to the care required by smaller versions of doll houses. The semblance of realism in a child’s point of view is much better achieved in the doll house’s advantageous size.

The size of large doll houses likewise allow for more extra details such as turrets, balconies, surprise rooms, and drawbridges. It also facilitates a wider range of interactive activity such as rearranging rooms and furniture to produce an entirely new look for the house. They are also much sturdier and can handle maximized play of children. Many models are provided in fun designs and colors to make imaginative play more exciting. A custom-made doll house can be as large as a young girl wants it to be.

Toys From Childhood

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I get newsletters from a lot of places, and admittedly I mostly just skim through them, only really clicking through if I find something especially interesting – like the other day! In my Fisher Price newsletter was a link to their 50th Anniversary toys, toys from my childhood.

If you grew up with Fisher Price toys like I did, I urge you to visit this page, I honestly got incredibly excited remembering the beloved toys my sister and I once played with for many happy hours. One thing I wasn’t aware of was how the “Little People” toys of today evolved from the ones we played with in the 70’s. My kids have the Christmas sets, which they love playing with, but the characters just don’t have the same appeal. They look too much like cartoons in my opinion (which I admit is completely biased!).

The first “house” I had was this yellow house you see above. I still have it in storage in my Mom’s house but sadly it’s pretty war torn with the pieces all disappeared – boo hoo. Fisher Price now has a “50th Birthday” version, which is just a few “retro” figures in a tin which vaguely looks like the original. A poor substitute, I think! They could have at least made replicas of the original people.

Other favourites which tug at my childhood heartstrings are the Sesame Street “street”, pictured at the top of the post and the airport just above. I could go on, and go the extra mile by actually purchasing these toys on Ebay (tempting, if it weren’t for the exorbitant prices), but for now I’ll just have to be content to look wistfully at these online photos.
For more memory tripping, check out this 1977 Fisher Price catalog, which I think is meant to be a bit of a joke, but for a seventies kid like me, is another lovely walk done memory lane.

Most Popular Christmas Toys For Children

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Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS

Just a little more than a week and Christmas Day will be here! I bet that your kids can barely contain their excitement as you start your preparations for the big day. I know that in our house, putting up the Christmas tree and lights is making everyone jump and down with the anticipation of Christmas. But have you decided on your presents for the kids yet?

I have several in mind but to be honest, I won’t be doing my shopping till tomorrow. I am sure that I am going to regret keeping it till this late when I am met by throngs of late shoppers tomorrow as well. Anyhow, I found an article detailing the most popular toys for kids this Christmas. Some of the recurring items that I noticed were gaming consoles and iPods. Umm, I think I shall refrain from these this Christmas – it’s too early for these this year. Perhaps the Wii, but nothing more.

For girls, the things on the list include the Nintendo DS Lite, Webkinz toys, Hannah Montana toys, and Barbie (yep, she is still at it). For toddlers, some ideas include Tickle Me Elmo Live, Lamaza Baby Toys, Leapfrog Little Touch LeapPad, and V-Tech Vsmile Baby.

I am leaning towards the educational toys for toddlers although I am really thinking about giving more books than toys this year. Some might think that this is the boring route but then again, get your children used to books and you will see just how much delight they will take in them.

What are you getting the kids this Christmas?

A Magical Letter From Santa

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Secret Santa Mail
Secret Santa Mail

It’s all about Christmas these days, and since this is the first year that my daughter Nat has actually written to Santa on her own (in the past we’ve just “emailed“- and I did all the writing!), I thought it would be a special treat for her and her brother Ollie to receive a real letter from Santa. It is also the first Christmas where her reading skills have improved so much that she is finally able to read it herself – and best of all, and still believe! (my 3-year-old on the other hand, will be thrilled with that fact that something in the mail is actually for him)…..And what is Christmas without a bit of magic?

Online there are loads of places where you can get this sort of “Santa” letter, but the one I am using is owned by a stay-at-home-Mom like myself, called Secret Santa Mail.

It is pretty straightforward and easy (you can pay by PayPal, which I always prefer over using my credit card online), and all you have to do is to supply them with some information about your child, accomplishments and what they want for Christmas. They also offer two packages, both of which come with little extras if you choose, like Christmas stickers or a Santa teddy bear – a lovely touch that makes it more special, I think!

So with bated breath, I’ll be waiting for the letters to arrive….most especially to see my children’s faces when they open them!

Wii For Kids?

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We recently paid a visit to our friends and we all had a blast. You know how my husband and I love video games but we do not really want the kids to be too attached to them. I still place a strong emphasis on reading. Our friends had a Wii, though, and we all played some games – children and adults alike.

So how was the experience? I have to say that it was better than I expected. You see, with the other video game consoles, most of the time, the person playing is totally engrossed in the game and does not have much interaction with the people around him. With the various games offered for the Wii, however, there are more opportunities for groups of people to actually interact with each other while playing the Wii.

Do you know the board game Cranium? Well they have a Wii version called Kabooki and children and adults can spend a whole night playing the game. It presents more of a challenge because the game utilizes actual movement of the controller for certain tasks. The Wii Sports package also presents opportunities for players to develop team work.

That being said, I actually think that Wii is good for children. Aside from the fact that human interaction is not lost when playing Wii games – in fact it can be enhanced with certain games – I think that there are more Wii games that are geared towards kids.

So would you agree with me that getting a Wii is a good idea?