Archive for the Parenting Category

Develop Your Child’s Imagination Through Toys

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

If you’ve wandered the aisles of a toy store recently you might be forgiven for scratching your head a little bit. After all, today’s children’s toys are a combination of super hero movie promotions, microprocessors, and video games. Classic toys like baby dolls, building blocks and toy soldiers are buried beneath the piles of flashing gimmicks. But are these modern electronic toys really good for kids?

Electronics and video game play is something that should be enjoyed in moderation. Classic toys, however, are intellectually engaging and stimulating for young minds and can be played with for hours on end.

Despite their complexity, in fact because of their complexity, electronic toys are very limiting for children. If you take basic, but inventive, toys like Kathe Kruse dolls and give them to a little girl she can make them whatever she wants to make them. The same claim cannot be made of so called “educational” electronic toys like the Leap Pad.

There’s a reason why generation after generation has enjoyed the same basic toys. A set of Kathe Kruse dollhouse dolls that’s purchased today is not fundamentally different from the dollhouse toys sold one hundred years ago.

When it comes to toys a child’s imagination is the only battery that’s required.

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Choosing a Baby Name

Monday, May 30th, 2011

If the due date calendar says you are entering your third trimester it’s probably time to start thinking about names. If you haven’t decided on a name yet there are a number of ways you can research and find the perfect name.

Internet – There are thousands of websites out there that can help you find the perfect name for your newborn. These sites let you sort names by letter, meaning and even popularity. If you have a meaning in mind, you can find a name that represents that trait.

Books – There are thousands of baby name books. While you can buy them at most bookstores, it may make more sense to check them out from a library. These books will probably only be used once or twice so it rarely makes sense to purchase them.

Recommendations – Ask friends and family for advice and recommendations. They will often have good suggestions that may turn out to be the perfect name.

If you are searching for popular baby boy names or girl names, using the Internet and books can make sure you find a great name for you new baby.

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