Power of Play

When Ryder was just a wee one, I worried that he wasn’t getting enough “educational” stimulation.

Shouldn’t he be watching those baby reading DVDs? What about trying that baby sign language stuff? Why is that child rearranging blocks while Ryder just ambles on by and throws them around?

Turns out, I didn’t fully appreciate the Power of Play.

Because when Ryder first reached for his Chatter Telephone, he learned to pick up the receiver. Later, through imitation, he discovered that he could use the dial pad to make a “phone call”. And lastly, chatting away with his friends fostered creativity, socialization and imagination. Not bad for a toy telephone, eh?

Fisher-Price realizes that when a child picks up a toy, it’s about more than just fun.; it’s about mastering milestones. Every child goes through milestone moments at every age and stage of development; therefore, Fisher-Price launched its 2011 milestones campaign to communicate to mothers the range of Fisher-Price toys available that help babies grow and develop in various ways, depending on what milestone they are experiencing at a specific time. The milestones are: soothe, sense, move, discover, socialize, learn, create and imagine.

And trust me, they know their stuff. Leading the program is Dr. Deborah Weber, a trusted voice in the toy industry. She is widely regarded as an expert in early childhood development, and is Senior Manager for the Fisher-Price Child Research Department, which is the toy industry’s most respected Center for research on childhood development and play. Plus, she’s a mom of two!

Here are a few of Dr. Weber’s tips for helping your child meet developmental milestones:

Soothe: Keep your baby close to you in a swing or bouncer when you are doing things around the house such as cooking or laundry. It will make them feel comfortable and confident to know that mom is by their side.

Learn: Encourage your child to play with toys in different ways. Be sure to join in the play with them and show them all of the special features of the toys including the lights, sounds, different shapes, colours and interaction, as seen with the Fun with Friends Musical Table.

Sense: Establish a routine with your baby by putting on a soothing mobile at the same time every night. When your baby hears a familiar Ocean Wonders tune or sees a familiar visual, they will know it is bedtime and will feel soothed and relaxed.

One of the most fascinating things I’ve seen lately is Ryder playing with toys that are meant for Reid. Even though he should have “mastered” the milestones associated with the toy long ago, he continually finds new ways to play with the toy and make it relevant to him. A school bus playing music becomes a ghetto blaster; toy rings become donuts that are frosted with paper confetti. I am continually amazed by his imagination, confidence and coordination, and it’s refreshing to see that Fisher-Price toys definitely do grow with him!

For more information on the power of play, visit Fisher-Price Play.