Resources – gcns

From the Long Island Pre-K Initiative

Are you ready to “Play All May”?

The first-ever month-long celebration of play has been launched by The Genius


	Prescription for Play – PSA :60 \| The Genius of Play

of Play, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of play’s vital role in child development.

The organization developed a public service announcement (right) featuring a young boy driven from one activity to the next until his pediatrician writes a prescription for play. It’s website features daily ideas for fun activities from age 2 on up. And there’s a daily toy giveaway.

“The benefits of play are proven by decades of research…[but] play deficit is a real issue, which is why The Genius of Play is dedicating an entire month to encouraging families to make time for play.”

Read more.

Recommended Parenting Books:

Childhood Unbound: Saving Our Kids’ Best Selve- Confident Parenting in a World of Change by Ron Taffel, Ph.D.
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
No-Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14 by Chip Woods

Recommended Children’s Books:

Fun Books:

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and all the Pigeon books by Mo Willems
All Pete the Cat books by Kimberly and James Dean

Recommended Toys:

When looking for toys, look for unstructured materials with which a child can impose his own patterns as he/she wishes and matures. For example, unit blocks – there is nothing more useful for creative play and learning – “manipulatives” whose pieces and shapes can be combined in many ways, stuffed animals and dolls – buy them as companions and comforters, not for fashionable outfits or mechanical tricks. Emphasize the benefits of “true toys” instead of passive toys that require little imagination.

Toys recommended for overall child development include:

Magna Tiles, Wedgits, Gears, Gears!, Tree or Nature Blocks, Traffic Signs and Hardwood Unit Blocks

What about war toys and weaponry?

To the child, these are symbols of power and strength. Some war toys lead to aggression, violence or hostile play. Yet eliminating them entirely may make them more desirable. At least you can void making aggression glamorous and set limits on what you will buy.

Toys which help develop fine motor skills are a great way to help your child meet this developmental need:

Wind up toys, toys to spin, squeeze toys (in and out of the bath tub), use crayons and colored pencils instead of markers (crayons help develop strength in the fingers; markers require less strength, beads and lacing, Magna Doodle, magnetic mazes, pegs and peg boards