Children need time to play alone and with other children, but regular playtime with parents builds bonds that will last forever. Through play, parents get to know and appreciate the uniqueness of each child and reassure children that they are loved and appreciated.

When playing with your child, these general guidelines may be helpful:

• Compliment your child on how he or she plays. Children need to get the message that play is important.
• Play with your child often, especially during the early formative years.  [See our Age-by-Age Toy Guide for toy suggestions that are appropriate for your child at each stage of his or her development.]
• Create a playful atmosphere by providing toys and materials that children can adapt in their play.
• Keep play fresh by regularly providing new play experiences, whether it’s a nature walk, cooking project, or round of miniature golf.
• Intervene to ensure safe play. Check materials and equipment frequently to look for broken or worn parts. Supervise activities when appropriate.

Perhaps not coincidentally, play is also a calming influence for overworked, overstressed parents. Don’t be afraid to have fun … and even act silly. No matter what your age, there’s no better way to stay young at heart than to share meaningful, unabashed play moments with your child.

Play empowers children to learn about themselves, others and their world.  Through play, they develop the physical, mental, social, emotional and creative skills needed for life.

Often described as “a child’s work,” play lays the foundation for reading, writing, mathematical reasoning and creativity.  Through play children develop:

• Physical (gross-motor) skills, as a child at play learns to reach, crawl, walk, run, climb, jump, throw, catch and balance. 
• Fine-motor skills(the use of hands and fingers), as he or she handles playthings. 
• Critical thinking skills, through play that encourages problem solving and demonstrates cause and effect. 
• Language skills, which blossom as a child interacts with others and uses words for favorite toys and activities.
• Social skills, which are mastered by learning to follow directions, cooperate, take turns, abide by the rules and share. 
• Emotional skills, as children experience pleasure, bond with others, and work through feelings during role-play. 
• Self-esteem, so crucial to one’s long-term happiness and success, enhanced when children achieve goals through play.  
• Creativity and imagination; when a child pretends to be a doctor, a teacher, a parent, or a firefighter, he or she learns that life is full of possibilities and opportunities.
• Perhaps most important of all, play is fun.  Years later, when we recall our childhood, it is the happy times spent playing with special people that we remember most fondly.

Play has an undeniable influence on every aspect of a child’s development.

TIA Celebrated Mother's Day with "How Does Your Family Play" Contest

Toy Industry Association celebrated Moms and all that they do with its first special Mother’s Day “How Does Your Family Play” contest. Mothers from across the country wrote in and described their favorite ways to play with their kids… many including photos!

Even though our contest has closed, TIA would still like to hear from you about your favorite ways to play with your family. We hope you write in to ToyTrends@toyassociation.org for a chance to be featured on ToyInfo.org and Toy Industry Association's Facebook.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RAFFLE WINNERS!

Seven moms were selected in a random drawing to win these great prizes:

• Grand Prize Winner
  Tina B. from Montclair, CA received a $200 American Express Gift Card.
• Second Prize Winners
  Roxanne M. from Fort Worth, TX and Candice L. from Idaho were selected to receive $50 Amazon.com gift certificates
• Third Prize Winners
  Evans S. of Green Cove Springs, FL; Jodi of Tampa Bay, FL; Dara B. of East Meadow, NY and Kim L. of Forest Hills, NY all received $25 Starbucks gift cards.

Below are some great, random entries from our “How Does Your Family Play” contest. TIA hopes you continue the great play and visit www.toyinfo.org for more information on safe play and tips on toys.

“My kids and I love to build towers and knock them down. My three year old uses blocks, legos, tupperware, you name it, and we build up the tallest tower we can and my one year old comes and knocks it all down. We also love using the blocks to create obstacle courses that include a balance beam and markers to jump over. We can build, balance and jump all night long!”

– Sara T, New York, NY

“One of my favorite things to do is to watch my two girls play together. They are 4 and 2 years old. Their creativity and imagination floor me. The toys that are available today do such a wonderful job encouraging children to have free play and be creative. My girls love to cook for me in their pretend kitchen and serve me in the restaurant they set up, they enjoy pushing their babies in strollers or putting them in the shopping cart to go to the store to buy cookies. I thoroughly enjoy the time I get to spend playing with my children and wouldn’t change it for the world.”

– Kelley M, Long Island, NY

“An ever-changing assortment of three or four stuffed animals have always lived in the family room, where the family gathers to watch television, do homework, read, or socialize. Some have names; most do not. But what they all have in common is that they all talk, and most dance. Each has a distinct personality and "voice", and participates in family gatherings in unique ways. My daughters are now 19 and 22, but they have never outgrown our family play. When they come home to visit the animals continue their conversations right where they left off.”

– Melinda K, Wellsley, MA

“My kids are all grown, and I have ten grandkids. We enjoy Wii,which is fun for all ages. But I think that we have the most funwhen we play board games like "Apples to Apples". It is so funny to get multi generation idea on different subjects!”

– Joanne H, Warsaw, MO