http://www.sheknows.com/ Tue, 27 Nov 2012 01:30:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/849155/holiday-gifts-for-kids-that-inspire-the-imagination These creative holiday gifts will encourage and inspire your child's imagination and provide endless hours of entertainment. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/849155/holiday-gifts-for-kids-that-inspire-the-imagination Parenting Family Fun Toys and Play Kori Ellis Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:53:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/971123/simple-ways-to-find-more-playtime School, homework and chores are important, but don't forget to make time for your kids to enjoy plenty of playtime, too! http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/971123/simple-ways-to-find-more-playtime Parenting Age by Age Preschoolers Vicki Clinebell Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:17:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/971165/the-importance-of-play Want a smart, creative and healthy child? Playtime activities are vital to mental and physical development, so encourage more play for your kids! http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/971165/the-importance-of-play Parenting Age by Age Preschoolers Vicki Clinebell Thu, 20 Sep 2012 16:26:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/971393/fun-preschool-activities-that-bring-tv-and-books-to-life Does your preschooler like to watch TV? Does she always have her head in a book? Bring those worlds to life! http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/971393/fun-preschool-activities-that-bring-tv-and-books-to-life Parenting Age by Age Preschoolers Whitney Coy Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/970509/breaking-kids-out-of-their-comfort-zone Parenting is sometimes a challenging endeavor. You feel all of your child’s successes and failures as if they were you own. You even feel your child’s sense of anxiety if she is shy or reluctant to try new experiences. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/970509/breaking-kids-out-of-their-comfort-zone Parenting Parenting Tips & Advice Parenting Advice & Columns Guest Author Mon, 09 Jul 2012 01:29:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/964569/6-ways-to-teach-during-play Children are naturally interested in the world around them. Learn how to encourage their natural curiosity and instill a love of learning with educational games and activities. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/964569/6-ways-to-teach-during-play Parenting Naomi de la Torre Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:44:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/964611/how-different-styles-of-play-encourage-child-development Child's play is serious business and the way your child plays has a lot to do with his or her development. Make sure to help your child to take part in several different styles of play for a well-rounded toddler. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/964611/how-different-styles-of-play-encourage-child-development Parenting Whitney Coy Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/949893/go-out-and-get-dirty When you think of your own childhood, how many of your memories are of time spent inside? It turns out our parents were onto something; encouraging our children to go outside and get dirty is good for their overall development. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/949893/go-out-and-get-dirty Parenting Parenting Tips & Advice Parenting Advice & Columns Nichole Beaudry Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:41:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946415/signs-your-baby-is-ready-to-play For their first few months, babies don’t do much but eat and sleep. Around 4 or 5 months, though, they’ll start to be a lot more active . Watch for these signs that your baby is ready to play. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946415/signs-your-baby-is-ready-to-play Parenting Whitney Coy Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:29:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946201/baby-playtime-pointers-for-6-9-months By now you know your child’s personality and you’re ready to help foster her sense of humor and fun. Your 6- to 9-month-old comes with plenty of action and intelligence, and there are plenty of games and toys that can foster that sense of wonder. Here are a few tips for playing with your developing child. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946201/baby-playtime-pointers-for-6-9-months Parenting Christina Caldwell Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:28:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946199/baby-playtime-pointers-for-3-6-month-olds After 3 months, your baby is slowly starting to develop a unique personality and, as a mother, you’re starting to get to know your new bouncing bundle. A great way for you and your baby to bond is playtime, and after 3 months, your baby is a bit more aware of what’s going on in the world. Here are a few ways to play with your 3- to 6-month-old baby. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946199/baby-playtime-pointers-for-3-6-month-olds Parenting Christina Caldwell Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:27:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946197/baby-playtime-pointers-for-newborns After spending nine months in the womb, your baby has finally popped out, full of energy and playfulness. Spending quality time with your newborn is important, but it’s also crucial that your child learns to have fun. Here are a few playtime pointers you can use to get to know your new baby’s play personality. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946197/baby-playtime-pointers-for-newborns Parenting Christina Caldwell Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:08:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946449/what-makes-a-great-baby-toy The amount of baby toys and baby toy brands available on the market can be overwhelming to the savviest of shoppers. As a parent, you want to provide your little one with the right tools that best aid development. Here is a list of five toys you can count on to stimulate the senses and delight your child. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/946449/what-makes-a-great-baby-toy Parenting Age by Age Baby & Toddler Toys & Play Christy Pogorelac Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/851001/best-toys-of-2011 We have checked out dozens of toys this year and here are some of our favorites for little boys and girls. Read on to find out our picks for the best toys of the year for 2011. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/851001/best-toys-of-2011 Parenting Family Fun Toys and Play Kori Ellis Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844897/how-to-create-a-positive-learning-environment-at-home To help your children excel in life, you need to creative a positive learning environment in your home. Begin instilling a love of learning in your children at a young age. Encourage active play and follow these tips to build a nurturing, learning environment at home. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844897/how-to-create-a-positive-learning-environment-at-home Parenting Age by Age Preschoolers Kori Ellis Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844895/lessons-to-teach-while-playing-with-blocks Toddlers and preschoolers love playing with blocks. In addition to developing motor skills and hand-eye coordination, block play can also help foster creativity, enhance problem-solving ability and build other cognitive, emotional and social skills. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844895/lessons-to-teach-while-playing-with-blocks Parenting Age by Age Preschoolers Kori Ellis Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844891/ways-to-incorporate-learning-into-play Play isn't all fun and games. Both free play and guided play can foster creativity and learning in young children. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844891/ways-to-incorporate-learning-into-play Parenting Age by Age Preschoolers Kori Ellis Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844887/the-importance-of-play Kids are born to play -- it's instinctive. Play is fun and exciting, but it's also much more than that. Play helps develop a child's imagination, creativity, problem-solving ability and social skills. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844887/the-importance-of-play Parenting Age by Age Preschoolers Kori Ellis Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:03:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844855/tips-for-beating-toy-boredom Look around your toy-cluttered home and you may be seeing too much of a good thing. Fewer toys can actually fight boredom, if you choose wisely for more creative and fun play times! http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844855/tips-for-beating-toy-boredom Parenting Age by Age Preschoolers Vicki Clinebell Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:19:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844845/ideas-for-making-play-more-fun Parents can encourage imagination and creativity by playing with their kids. It's a great way to make playtime more fun for everyone! http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844845/ideas-for-making-play-more-fun Parenting Age by Age Preschoolers Vicki Clinebell Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:59:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/804133/the-importance-of-playtime-for-your-little-one You ensure your baby is securely buckled up into his carseat for the half-hour drive to go shopping. You give him plenty of treats for the hour ride in his stroller through the mall. You plop him in his highchair in front of an educational DVD for the hundred and first time. If this sounds like you, then you are forgetting one very important activity: unstructured playtime. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/804133/the-importance-of-playtime-for-your-little-one Parenting Age by Age Baby & Toddler Toys & Play Kim Grundy