PoorDad

The best toys are those that can be played many ways. It stimulates the imagination and those nerve fibers important for creative thinking.

I found this:
choosing toys to make kids smart


One thing I learned in life, I'd rather be creative than intelligent. (Although the two goes hand in hand)

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PoorDad
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SpitNCobra13

tv=mind control

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SpitNCobra13

Tv is pretty much just mind control anyway!

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Shari Nielsen

I really like the Leapsters (not leap pad) as far as electronic stuff goes. After the typical bedtime routine is over (bath, teeth, story, cuddles, etc.) I let them play Leapster for about 10-15 min until they crash. Discussions w/ them about what they do on the Leapsters come up here and there and I'm always amazed at the stuff that they are forced to think about while playing. It's nice b/c its age & skill appropriate and they are practicing academic skills even though they think they are just relaxing and playing a game. Plus it limits the "I need a sip of water...I need to go potty...etc" excuses for getting out of bed!

As far as the rest of the day goes....tv is very limited and its only pbs type shows that they watch. I really push games and imagination for the rest of the time. Kids could become so sedentary and unimaginative if you let them!

aliinnc

It's great that you are encouraging artistic pursuits, too. One thing my kids used to love was making figures and animals with chenille stems. (I still smile to myself when I call them that; to me, they will always be pipe cleaners!) After they made the creatures, they would make up little stories to act out with them. It was great for in the car, too.
Ali

yulia

PoorDad

Regarding TV, although the effects of TV watching on kids is overwhelmingly bad , it has its uses too to make kids smart - as long as the show is educational. And it is viewed in moderation. And your kid is not less than 2 years old. See Good and bad effects of TV. My kids watch a few educational kids show in Treehouse TV in Canada. I notice that it helped them improve their vocabulary and learn things outside their world.

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PoorDad
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Amber

My baby just got this little laptop for christmas, teaches her her ABCs and 123s. My oldest two did the Leapster and Leap Pad. We have all the board games imaginable to man. Also, before they could read on their own, I read to my kids every single night. My oldest two can carry on an intelligent conversation with just about any adult.

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Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail

FionnaK

We are big readers around here. My son gets curious about all the reading I do and will pick up books he saw me read. And we are constantly learning. It is really a huge part of our life.

BethInAK

I agree that reading to your child is the single most important thing you can do. And just teaching them about things, every day, all the time. "baby, look at the yellow car!" to an infant.

And play IS how children learn. They need to play.