moonandme.com

I began this day watching my two daughters with their wooden train set. If you get to know me, you will know that I LOVE TOYS, especially of the wooden variety.  (You will also learn what I do not like, but that is for another post and another time.)

  I visited the Strong Museum last September, during their remodel and became fascinated by the displays of “old toys”. I love old toys and collect old Fisher Price sets. I have my old sets of simple, easy to manipulate, Little People. You know, the ones that are a choking hazard? Yes, my dd’s play with the old sets, with supervision.

If you get time and want to make the trip to Rochester NY, please do, it will be well worth your time. The Strong Museum is the National Museum of Play! I attended a workshop on play at the museum and spent way to much money in the gift shop but it was very worth my time and energy!

In Fredonia, we are very fortunate to have a women who is also very devoted to play. She created Just My Imagination Workshop and while it is not currently running due to funding, Shannon is an inspiration to me and those who have been part of her dream!!! If you live near a children’s museum, try and take advantage of it!  The time spent will be well worth the drive and money!

For me, I never really had to be told that play was important to the development of children becuase I lived the experience. My parent’s valued play and while I occasionaly have to remind my Mom that newer/more high tech doesn’t mean better, over all, I learned about play becuase my Mom played with me! When I see children playing with high tech toys that do all the playing for the child, I feel so sad. I am mad at the companies that once sold good quality open ended toys but now sell plastic, (what is Diane Levin’s term…play deficit…I will look it up in a moment) do-everything-for the child.  I own only a few of these toys and try to keep from promoting the sales of these toys by buying from others. In the previous post you will find a link for Three Sisters Toys, check them out. There are many other companies that believe and value play but there are many that do not. Please consider supporting other companies that really value play. In a future post, I will upload articles that I have written on play and electronic toys. (rant over)

 

 

Posted on January 2nd, 2007 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized