Newsletter chitchat - October 8, 2024

[Cassel]

Toys and games come in a variety of types. Some are simple, others are very elaborate.

Based on seeing how Xavier was entertained with very little, I can conclude that kids don't NEED a ton of elaborate or complex toys/games and can stay busy with just a few things.

What simple games are preschool (or maybe school-age) kids enjoy?

Let's share and if you have pics too, post them too.

[Ann Seeber]

I sent these toy trucks to Raja for his first birthday on August 31. After several lost package episodes, they finally arrived and he's having a ball. They haven't sent me any photos yet but here's a shot from Amazon of the trucks. 

 

Edited October 9 by Ann Seeber

[Michele]

I wish I had my pics out of my storage unit. I have a really cute one of my daughter finger-painting when she was about three years old.

[Lyn Lou]

When our kids were young, (pre-mobile phones), we bought "learning" toys, ie my son loved play phones which made noises, talked, and played tunes, as well as his cooker,  (mini kitchen). We loved board games, and creative toys, ie Lego and alternatives to Lego.  I would also let them help with the washing up, with a bowl of warm water, and their plastic dishes, cutlery and plastic cups, (not toy, but crockery they eat from), whilst I wash the china plates and glasses. They loved doing that, and it allowed me to get the chores done. They learnt to do their own washing too. 

Also, when they are at their nan's, she did not have many toys, they played with the button box, and saucepan and wooden spoons etc. They would also find things to play with. 
The photo is one thing they did at their nan's house, with her dressing gown that was hanging on the door! (their feet hanging or tip toed!).  It is a great family photo and memory.  (not great quality photo, it was also pre mobiles).

One thing I hate seeing is my great-nephew, now aged 7 relying on playing games on his mum and nan's phone to keep him "quiet", since he was a young toddler, rather than learn by playing with ordinary games. He does have other games, but he gets bored of them and wants the phone all the time, which keeps him "quiet"!!  To me it is a bit like a dummy as a pacifier! 
It does not increase his learning skills and ability to be creative.  Some of the schools now have made a pact not to give mobiles (cell phones), to kids under 14, it gives them a chance to grow, and learn without being dependant on the phone! Mine did not get a phone till they went to senior school. 

Edited October 9 by Lyn Lou

[Anne Lamp]

I know one of my cousins kids loved to get into the pots and pans stored under the kitchen cabinet. Lots of noise and rearranging and stacking etc. It might have been noisy, but at least she knew where the kid was while she was in there.

[Cassel]

10 hours ago, Lyn Lou said:

One thing I hate seeing is my great-nephew, now aged 7 relying on playing games on his mum and nan's phone to keep him "quiet", since he was a young toddler, rather than learn by playing with ordinary games. He does have other games, but he gets bored of them and wants the phone all the time, which keeps him "quiet"!!  To me it is a bit like a dummy as a pacifier! 

My daughter also uses an ipad for Xavier. It is not all the time, but it is a "tool" to keep him quiet/occupied. When he is with us alone, i don't know how the pad works, so that is my excuse (it is true though). Also, at their place, when we would babysit, he would want to watch TV (streaming) or get music playing from our phones. I still use the same excuse: i don't know how to work the remote, the streaming, etc. and my phone does not work with their TV or his speakers. He made a fuss the first time I said that, but now, he does not even ask anymore!

[Lyn Lou]

I think it is too young for a child to get addicted to a mobile, even with mobile games for young kids. If that child learns to explore other areas on the internet, they could find things that are not suitable. There was a survey done a while back and most 10-15 year olds had come across unsuitable content on the internet. 

[Michele]

Children do what they see. If their parents use their devices, their kids will want to also.

[Ann Seeber]

There is now a lawsuit pending charging one of the tech companies with luring children in with addictive content. I think this is a wake up call. In my youth, everyone smoked cigarettes. It was normal behavior. Little did we know they were manipulated to be more addictive than heroin. A cautionary tale...

[Art Kuiper]

When our grandchildren were still young and came to stay with us, we always found ways to keep them busy without resorting to mobile phones and tablets. On the dining room table we would have a jigsaw puzzle that we could work on together. I would sit and work on a puzzle and before long they would join me. That was good for having light conversation and doing something together. The other thing we did with them was play board and card games. First we started with the simple ones like Crazy Eights, and Snakes and Ladders. Now that they are older, we still play games together but more complex ones. We are lucky that they still enjoy coming over and doing things with us instead of sitting on the couch with their devices. For full disclosure, now that they are teenagers, they do get time to use their devices, but we still play board games after dinner.

[Lyn Lou]

We used to do board games and learn crafts. As a family we still play card and board games with our family.  Always looking for new games too. Ravensburger games and puzzles are great for all ages, and recently a company called the HappyPuzzle.co.uk have some new games. 

Edited October 10 by Lyn Lou

[Clarine]

I get my grandsons (age 3.5 yrs & 6.5 yrs) once every few weeks.  They love to bake with me, so lots of learning about measuring.  Cracking eggs is their most favorite task, along with stirring.  Being taste testers and getting to pour their own glasses of milk is the "icing on the cake."  They also like to play with dry rice or barley and a funnel, spoons and measuring cups.  What is spilled is easily swept up and discarded.   We do play card games and simple board games.  They are counting and adding as we play.  And when they tire of that I bring out scraps of paper, the kids sized scissors and glue sticks.  They love making their own creations, some of which end up on my fridge, while others make it home to show mom and dad.   It is fun to teach them new words as we chat while we play.   One other thing we enjoy doing together is playing outside.  We can take a walk around the block on these fall days and find many different colored leaves.  On a larger piece of paper they draw and color in a tree trunk and then dabs of Elmers school glue pastes the leaves where the artist feels they should go.  Add a few clouds and a sun and wha-la, a masterpiece.  

[Cassel]

5 minutes ago, Clarine said:

get my grandsons (age 3.5 yrs & 6.5 yrs) once every few weeks.  They love to bake with me, so lots of learning about measuring.  Cracking eggs is their most favorite task, along with stirring.  Being taste testers and getting to pour their own glasses of milk is the "icing on the cake."  They also like to play with dry rice or barley and a funnel, spoons and measuring cups.  What is spilled is easily swept up and discarded.   We do play card games and simple board games.  They are counting and adding as we play.  And when they tire of that I bring out scraps of paper, the kids sized scissors and glue sticks.  They love making their own creations, some of which end up on my fridge, while others make it home to show mom and dad.   It is fun to teach them new words as we chat while we play.   One other thing we enjoy doing together is playing outside.  We can take a walk around the block on these fall days and find many different colored leaves.  On a larger piece of paper they draw and color in a tree trunk and then dabs of Elmers school glue pastes the leaves where the artist feels they should go.  Add a few clouds and a sun and wha-la, a masterpiece.  

Those are really fun activities and there is so much teaching and learning that can be introduced during those activities!