What makes a good toy? | #playpanel

When I think about the "good toys" in our house - they aren't the ones in the toy box.  The "good toys" are the ones out on the floor - played with everyday.  From what I see from the attraction of my 7 month old...a "good toy" is musical, brightly coloured and durable (read -- he likes to bam bam bam his toys).

I had the chance to ask Dr. Kathleen Alfano, Director for the Fisher-Price Child Research Department (cool job points to her) her thoughts on "good toys" specifically...

Is it wrong to offer higher aged toys for infants/kids - hoping they will be more challenged (and learn more sooner?). Or should parents stick to age-specific toys? – Caroline

-If a toy is challenging and it brings the child back to it again and again then it is a good toy.


- If a toy proves to be too challenging, it is up to the parent to be the child’s cheerleader to encourage them to try again. - Dr. Kathleen Alfano

Well, I happen to be a fantastic cheerleader...I was all "yay!" when he touched... 

Go Baby Go!™ Poppity-Pop™ Musical Dino
Topzy Tumblers™ Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park™
Lil’ Zoomers™ Spinnin’ Sounds Speedway™

And touched...

Laugh & Learn™ Learning Workbench  (yes, I keep it in packaging - baby likes to hang off it) 
Go Baby Go!™ Bat & Wobble Penguin

And touched some more...

Circa 2000 Fisher-Price Little People Farm, Fisher-Price Zoo, Fisher-Price tri-lingual toy, Fisher-Price musical stacker

Do you see a recurring theme in our "good toys"?!  In our house, for more than 10 years, "good toys" have been open-play toys.  Toys that attract them to touch (ok - hit in my son's case), discover, manipulate, sort, stack, hide, find, watch, play, laugh and enjoy. 

I think it's interesting to share that Dr. Alfano notes the areas "good toys" should hit include:

4 Areas of Development


Physical (first year and a half - two years)


Cognitive (ABC’s, understanding directions (sit/eat/bed)


Communicative (softer- Parents are key in this area)


Social/Emotional (softer- Parents are key in this area)

*When Fisher-Price develops toys, they try to incorporate all 4 of these stages.

We are offering an assortment of physical, cognitive, communicative toys (not so much social at this point).  We are finding as the days go on...baby boy is learning how to play which is helping him grow. 

And he is most attracted to the musical toys...those are his "good toys"...and they are all over the living room floor. 

Where they belong ;-)

---

Disclosure: I’m part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/

Do you know you could WIN a $400 prize pack over at fisherpriceplay.ca just for sharing your child's milestones?

I shared my milestones HERE (well, not MY milestones...dear son's milestones...my milestones are full night's sleep and a fresh shower these days).

Moving on...share your milestones, meet the Fisher-Price Moms (do you spy me there)? and browse the toys that will help your babies play laugh grow.

Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price #playpanel program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Brilliant Basics is a go-to toy | #playpanel

I have been trying (so unsuccessfully) to get things done around the house.  My almost 7 month old wants, whines, and wills me to entertain him.  And I get frustrated, resentful, derailed.  I'm not sorry that I have this wonderful baby to entertain.  I just get frustrated in that my house looks like a tsunami hit. Everyday. 

Enter in the Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Blocks and I have found the magic key to unlocking a bit of time to get things done concurrently with entertaining the babe.

These blocks are just the right size for his little hands to hold, bop (on his highchair) and drop on the floor (he looks for where they've gone).  I place the bucket on its side on his highchair tray and he's happy to play with the handle, pull out the different shaped blocks and hit them on the table making tap tap tap sounds.  And I can wash the dishes!

What's best about these blocks is that they are really easy to grasp.  My son - not co-ordinated at this age - can pick-up, turn and play with the 10 blocks very easily.

The simplest toys are always the best right?

Now he's not at the shape sorting age yet nor can he stack them up...but this is a toy that will grow with him to when he hits those milestones.  (Aside: I've seen my 10 year old sorting the blocks through the shape-sorting lid - siblings can play with this toy too!)

It's great to have a go-to toy to play with when Mom just needs to get the dishes (or whatever) done.  This is our go-to toy right now.  And it's brilliant.

Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price #playpanel program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Boy Meets Penguin | #playpanel

One day a boy meets a penguin and well...his life changes.  Ok maybe "life changer" is an overstatement...but it certainly makes playtime a whole 'nother world of fun.  The wobbly, woozy, Go Baby Go!™ Bat & Wobble Penguin is a boy/penguin relationship that no parent can put aside. 

The penguin makes silly, funny, musical sounds which make my dear son sqee and squeel with excitement.  He loves to bop it while lying down and kick it (not so gently - thank goodness it's sturdy) when he sits. 


It can change his mood from whiny to "what's that?!".  He even giggles (which is the coolest sound EVER).

Boy Meets Penguin

Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price #playpanel program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Incorporating Learning Through Play Into Baby's Day | #playpanel

Summer is busy (LE BUSY chez nous!) between getting the big kids to camp and soccer games and family field trips the baby is in a constant state of "tag-along". However, I'm finding that I need to decidedly incorporate baby play into our daily routines. Because for baby...playing is learning...and learning is development.

One might think to look at my babe - that he is in constant play mode. Always smiling, looking, discovering, moving. (He is a player in that regard).

However, it's altogether different play when he's on his activity mat discovering that he can flip his body over from back to front with a bit of momentum. (then the poor soul gets turtle-syndrome and can't flip back).

And when he takes his blocks in hand and twists and turns his wrists in deep examination of the size, shape and sound. (it's pretty awesome to watch)  And yes, blocks are in the diaper bag as we speak as his on-the-go-play whether at a playground or waiting for his sister's Karate class to finish.

And I've already told you about his crazy jumperoo play.  The boy can play hard.

It's so very magical to watch him discover his abilities through play. Confession: yes, it's nice to play with him but it's even nicer when he can play solo (let's build those independence skills shall we?).  He smiles and shrieks and babbles away.  And I realize that he's building his fine and gross motor skills.  And discovering the world around him.  And growing. *sigh*

Which makes me think of this:

Those 3 words are so important to children. Baby play doesn't just happen when you have 2 bigger, busier siblings in the house for the summer. So I schedule, sneak, steal, incorporate play time into his day so he can play, laugh and grow.  And it gives me a chance to pause in our le busy summer day...and enjoy my baby in a totally magical way.

Disclosure: I’m part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Fisher-Price Luv U Zoo Jumperoo and my crazy baby | #playpanel

I would love to say my baby looks like the one pictured in the Fisher-Price Luv U Zoo Jumperoo. 

(I would also like to say he sleeps through the nights and never ever cries...woulda, coulda, can't).

Here is the picture comparison of the Fisher-Price Jumperoo baby and my Fisher-Price Jumperoo baby.  Can you spot the difference?...



Calm Baby



Crazy Baby

He.  Can't.  Stop.  Jumping.
Can not.

He has discovered his legs and all he does is bounce and bounce and bounce.  I thought that the jumperoo would take up too much real estate in our small living room - but good ghandi the boy LOVES that piece of Fisher-Price wonderment beyond anything else.  Bounce.  Bounce.  Bounce.

He's grabbing for the monkey up high and rattling the alligator toy (one could say he's is exploring the world around him and building his motor skills - but on the mom-level - he's playing the heck out of himself).

And he shrieks with thrill so much he surprises himself!

I like that it can adjust to 3 different heights so that the jumperoo can grow with him.  Also, I like that it doesn't need a doorway.  Yes, it takes up real estate but the box says that the tubes pop off for easy storage (though I'm thinking -- easy transportation -- to Grandma's!)

Who needs a still picture of a baby in a jumper?...my crazy jumperoo baby is a memory in the making!

Fisher-Price Makes Diapers? Who Knew?!

Parent News Alert!: Fisher-Price makes diapers. Wait.  Change that.  Fisher-Price makes great diapers. 

My 5 month old had a chance to test-drive Happy Days and Happy Nights Fisher-Price diapers.  Result: not one diaper failure! (a #WIN as baby is transitioning to pureed foods and you know...when babies change to food...well...their diaper deals change too).  

My rolly-polly baby needs stretching diapers (I've tried a few brands - stretch is a must).  And both days and nights diapers formed to his curves very nicely. 

Now do you need a different diaper for both day and night?  Honestly, I don't know...depends on your baby I guess.  My DS now sleeps through wet diapers at night so the extra absorbent happy nights diapers did prevent leakage (and not a wet bum rash to be had!).

I didn't know Fisher-Price made diapers but now that I do...I'm going to keep a look out for them on shelves. (I hear from the other Fisher-Price #playpanel moms that they are available in Canada at Walmart).

Disclosure:  I’m part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

The Benefits of Outdoor Play | #playpanel

http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/

So far this Spring, (on what seemed like the only two warm, sunny days, thus far) we broke out our Fisher-Price infant to toddler swing for my son.  Swinging outside changed the whole mood of those days...making baby and Mom SO much happier.


According to Kathleen Alfano, Ph.D. (Director of Child Research at Fisher-Price) "Playing outdoors is a form of exercise that promotes well-being and wholesome physical development." I wholly agree with that - after having a winter baby and spending that last few months indoors - playing outside is good for all.


And aside: what I love most about that swing is that it is ready-to-go in the yard.  No hauling kids to the park.  No waiting a turn.  It's ready for a quick swing while we wait for the school bus or a longer swing to enjoy the fresh air.


My bigger kids love bike riding, scooter-ing, in-line skating to and from the park.  It's a great way for them to exercise as well as develop balance and coordination.  And it gets us all away from electronics. 


I like that getting outdoors disconnects the big kids from T.V., computers, video games. 


Playing outside is also good for us to re-connect as a family.  Playing soccer together.  Playing traffic with a little kid powered coup.  Bike riding en famille. Just thinking of it puts a smile on my face.


I'd love to hear YOUR family's favourite outdoor activities!   Comment below.  Or tweet with me @ParentClub. 

Bring on the nice weather for outdoor play.  Bring it I say!

Fisher-Price Giveaway | The Benefits of Outdoor Play

THE GIVEAWAY!

THE WHAT: Barbie Tough Trike (for kids aged 2-5)

THE TIMELINE: now till May 30th

THE WHO: Canadian residents only

THE ENTRY:  Surf over to http://www.fishepriceplay.ca/, get inspired and then comment below which is your favourite Fisher-Price outside toy.

THE RULES (because life has rules):

one comment per day

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES for ONE extra entry per day

Tweet the giveaway: I just entered to win a Barbie Tough Trike from @FisherPrice and @ParentClub http://tinyurl.com/c9v7tz #playpanel

Follow Parent Club by clicking on the Google Friend Connect button on right sidebar at bottom

• Disclosure: I’m part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.  Winner will be randomly chosen.

Giveaway now closed - thanks for entering.

Fisher-Price #playpanel | WIN

Over at fisherpriceplay.ca (yes, that's me and Thing 3 pictured there) you can enter to win a spa certificate along with Fisher-Price toys (valued at $400) just by sharing your child's milestones.

And while you're there you can read my little post about Milestone Moments and Moms.

Spot me if you can!: that picture the Fisher-Price "Meet our Moms" is running in t.v. commercials on some of our favourite channels over the next few weeks...spot me if you can on Treehouse, W Network and CMT.

Fisher Price #playpanel is LIVE

The Fisher-Price Canada site is now LIVE...and I share this not only because I like Fisher-Price (which I do...come visit our toy box...you'll see how much I like it)...but also because I am featured as 1 of 8 Canadian Moms on the Fisher-Price #playpanel.

http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/

Go...surf over...see if you spot me.

What's Parent Club New

To keep it real.

And transparent.

And authentic.

And because I really can't keep secrets.

Here's what's Parent Club new...

❋ I'm 1 of 8 Canadian Moms handpicked to be on the Fisher-Price #playpanel. (Thing 3 and I were at a photo shoot for this a few weeks ago...keep an eye out for our picture on the Fisher-Price website as well as possibly your local toy store).

❋ I'm 1 of a select group of Canadian bloggers to be a #LMDConnector (that's Life Made Delicious Connector - whipped up by your friends at General Mills Canada)

❋The most famous Theresa Albert will be sharing food & nutrition tips in a Parent Club column on a regular basis. (watch for her column next week!)

❋ I am 1 of a select group of Canadians on the Crayola Mom Advisory Panel.

❋ Look to my everythingbaby contributions over at everythingmom.com

❋ Watch for an upcoming article in Oh Baby Magazine

And that's the news.