The Power of Play in a child’s development
Learning through play is where my career in parent education began in 1996. I am passionate about play and the value of real toys and games in early childhood development. I believe every human being is hard-wired to play – it is part of our very DNA. It is the easiest way to connect to another human being and the least stressful way of teaching a child anything.
I am the foremost toy judge in South Africa and have been judging toys and games for the past 19 years. I am a toy trends commentator and create short lists of highly recommended items that are much anticipated each year. I am trusted for my independent opinion on what’s good and what’s not by parents, educators, therapists and members of the media.
Making Fun Out of Nothing: There is much to be said for helping children make fun out of nothing.
Why play is important in a child’s life
Toys that teach
Click here to visit my online toy store called Toy Talk for a selection of highly recommended products that are all educational in nature. You can choose products by age, for learning, for travel and for gifts. Shopping couldn’t be easier or more convenient as we will deliver to your door, saving you time and money.
Also take a look at my range of parenting books for information and ideas that will enhance your child’s development, as well as my list of talks that will support and inspire you on your parenting journey.
Toy Talk events inspire and educate parents
Toy Talk is an annual event – a three hour extravaganza of toys and games. Audiences flock the these four events that take place in Johannesburg mid-November each year where my annual short list is presented and demonstrated and toy trends for the year are discussed. The short list contains my top picks in age groups from birth to age 12 helping parents to avoid confusion that is caused by such massive choice in toy stores and providing them with quality advice that is hard to come by in shop assistants today.
Not all learning requires toys and games
Not all play has to involve physical toys and games. In fact children have so much stuff today that they don’t know how to be resourceful and make fun out of nothing. Click her for dozens of Making Fun Out of Nothing activities (MFOON) that will help you to become a source of magic, wonder and surprise for your children. They can all be done with basic items and ingredients that are found in most homes and are in three categories:
Making Fun Out of Nothing: Cooking
Making Fun Out of Nothing: There is much to be said for helping children make fun out of nothing.