Posts Tagged quality time
Play Dens
Posted by in Babies on January 4th, 2010
As children these days are exposed to modern technologies, their choice of playthings has also undergone a sea change. Nowadays they are more inclined towards spending time with electronic gadgets and complex playing equipments. Adventure, mixed with fun is what they want. At the same time, they also crave for a place to call their own – a safe zone where they can spend some quality time on their own. Play dens are just perfect for that.
Gone are the days when playhouses were only for dolls. Children have the provision to own a play house all by themselves, thanks to the beautiful creations of children’s equipment manufacturers. Play dens, canopies, shelters and pavilions are some inventions in this line made by playground equipment designers.
A play den is a child’s dream home. It is a place that replicates his or her own home. A fantasy land, a castle,a secret club for friends, a storage place, a picnic spot – a child can turn it into whatever he/she wants. Large, spacious, well -ventilated and comfortable, a play den is perfect for children. It is a private space that one can gift to a child. Moreover, they are sturdy and safe to be placed outdoors and spend some good hours in the company of friends and family.
Play dens are available in various shapes and sizes that one can pick according to their requirements. Space can be an issue for setting up a play den though. Those who have a nice garden or backyard can easily go for a big one that can be turned into a picnic house. However, those facing a space crunch can settle for a Pavilions Square or a Pavilions Quarter. Round shaped, half open and pillared play dens can be set up in one corner of the garden or in a narrow passage adjoining the house.
A typical play den finds various uses. It solely depends on the owner as how to treat it. Play dens are not always meant for playing. They can also serve as an amphitheatre, a stage for performances, a walkway, sitting area, even a shelter for parking cycles or bikes. Even when children grow up, play dens constructed for them earn long time benefits. Colourful play dens made out of durable timber are stylish structures that add beauty to your outdoor environment.
Depending upon the need and budget, side less or floorless play dens, gazebos and pavilions can be selected. If getting something extravagant is on the agenda, then a rectangular or octagonal thatched pavilion can be great. A rectangular pavilion can be turned nicely into an outdoor dining area, classroom or a place to socialise.
Timberline is a leading UK wooden manufacturing company, supplying products to residential customers as well as to clients in the commercial and education sectors. Among their products play dens needs a special mention. Play dens are available in various shapes and sizes that one can pick according to their requirements. A typical play den finds various uses. Depending upon the need and budget, side less or floorless play dens, can be selected.
Article Source: Play Dens
Learning Activities for Toddlers
Posted by in Babies on October 4th, 2009
Are you looking for ways to keep your busy toddler occupied? Play time can easily become learning time with a little creative thinking. The best way to entertain and teach your toddler daily is to use things around the house. This helps to build imagination and encourages creativity while you spend quality time together. Sometimes you can even get some things done around the house and your toddler will only think that you are playing.
Small children love to imitate and copy adults. Get down on the floor and pretend to be an animal. Crawl around like a lion, hop like a rabbit, or stretch like a cat. Get your child to copy you and imitate animal sounds. Talk about what that animal might normally do. Ask questions like, “How do you think a horse sleeps?” and “What in the kitchen would a bear eat?” Go around the house and talk about how different animals live. Where they take baths, where they sleep, why they don’t need coats, etc. While you’re acting like animals, fix a snack and eat it like a giraffe. Give your little one a bath like a moose. Put on pajamas and pretend like it’s your cat fur. Brush teeth and check them like a chimpanzee. Explain how all animals need love from their parents as you cuddle up for bed time.
Get in your exercise time by dancing with your child. Children love music. There is scientific research proving that certain types of music actually help develop parts of the brain. Sway and stretch to quiet parts. Stomp around and jump to loud exciting parts. Swing your child around, lift them up on your feet, and lift them above your head. You will both be getting some exercise and your child will be developing listening skills, gross motor skills, and imagination.
Teach your child to aim and throw. Go around the house and say that you are basketball players on the hunt for baskets. Find laundry and throw it into baskets from a few feet away. If you have clean clothes, let your child shoot for the target with rolled socks while you fold. Cheer and hug your child when they succeed and praise them for practicing and working so hard. If you need to put clothes into the washer or dryer, let you child help and cheer every time something goes in.
Dusting and cleaning can also be fun for toddlers. Give your child a damp cloth and go around seeing who can find the most dirt. Let them wipe the front of your appliances, tables, counter tops and other surfaces that need wiping down.
Leave plenty of learning toys around for your child to discover. Preschool toys are often designed with development in mind. Something stationary, like an activity table, can give your child opportunities to develop fine motor skills without leaving choking hazards around the house.
About the Author: Jim Ford is the President of KinderMark, a family owned and managed business which sells waiting room toys and waiting room furniture used in doctor’s offices, hospitals, auto dealers, dentists offices and libraries. Preschool toys such as an activity table and learning toys are favorites for pediatric offices. For more information, visit www.kindermark.
Article Source: Learning Activities for Toddlers
