CBN: Skip the costly electronic games and flashy digital gizmos. Pediatricians say the best toys for tots are old-fashioned hands-on playthings that young children can enjoy with parents — things like blocks, puzzles — even throwaway cardboard boxes — that spark imagination and creativity.
“A cardboard box can be used to draw on, or made into a house,” said Dr. Alan Mendelsohn, co-author of a new report on selecting toys for young children, up to around age 5.
Many parents feel pressured by ads promoting tablet-based toys and games as educational and brain-stimulating but there’s not much science to back up those claims, Mendelsohn said. Their main misconception: “The toy that is best is the one that is the most expensive or has the most bells and whistles or is the most technologically sophisticated.”
Simpler hands-on toys that parents and young children can play with together are preferable for healthy development, said Mendelsohn, a pediatrician at NYU Langone Health in New York. more here
I could have told them that and I’m just a mom and grandma.
And when you’re done with the box give it to your cat, cats love boxes.
The good ‘ol days https://youtu.be/veMiNQifZcM
There have been plenty of times my kids and grandkids have played more with the box something came in than with what was in the box. Hey, they’re kids.
My 12 year old recently got a new computer since his old one let the smoke out. After he got it setup, he was fighting with his 15 year old brother over who was in the box. At least they don’t customize it with Sharpies anymore.
I killed thousands of Indians out of an old cardboard refrigerator box…the Germans and Japs didn’t fair any better Then I went into space…..GOOD TIMES!!!!
All I got was a rock…not even in a box.
If I had only called it ‘my pet’…. I could have made millions and been a contender.
(sigh)
Obama has an empty box since Reggie left and Mike won’t touch him.
The rolls that wrapping paper comes on make the best swords for sword fights. Even with the wife.
If I didn’t wake up with a hard-on, I wouldn’t have nuthin to play with.
@Calif rez – I had about 1 wrap left on the tube, turned it a little and taped it for a gift to our then 3yo granddaughter. My wife thought that was stupid but the grandkid loved it. She played “doot-te-doot” on it for hours.
I was maybe 7, cut the flaps off a dryer box, laid it on it’s side. Drew a tank, twice, and would climb inside and crawl it forward.
Didn’t survive the rain, tried to bring it in, Mom would have none of that.
Boxes are the best! LOL. I still save the small sturdy ones I decorate for holidays. I turn them into baskets or other stuff. LOL. I’m frugal. Sue me.
(Just know you won’t get anything but a decorated container.)
One of the best toys ever invented was Colorforms.
A child could create ad infinitum with geometric shapes,scenery,cartoon characters ,etc.