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Household "Toys" That Teach
Fun and Learning for Little Ones from Items Around the House
By Katherine Bontrager
Most of these tasks can be geared up or down, depending on the child's age. However, there are certain games that 1-year-olds find particularly appealing. "They love to experience object permanence, to discover where things go," Corder says.
Caverly agrees. "Social, emotional and intellectual development skills, such as fostering attachment and object permanence, [are] promoted through playing 'peek-a-boo' with the wash cloth," she says.
To build on this experience of object permanence, Corder suggests finding a snap-top container and cutting a round hole in the center. "Slip balls through the opening and then pull off the lid to reveal where they've disappeared to," she says.
Caverly says this game works with playing cards, spoons or even juice can lids. "Problem-solving skills and fine-motor (small muscle) development are enhanced," she says.
Before recycling those cardboard boxes, let younger children have their way. "Kids love anything they can use their bodies for, be that putting shoeboxes on their feet or crawling into boxes and making them houses," Bongiorno says. "They also love blankets. Just hang a blanket over the table and let them be 'hidden' under there with their toys. Little ones just like different spaces. Letting children pull all the pillows off the couch, hang blankets over tables, explore cardboard boxes – it all encourages imagination and great open-ended play."
Other items to save include greeting cards and cereal boxes. Caverly says both make great puzzles. "Cut the front of a cereal box or used greeting cards into peces, according to the developmental level of your child," she says. "Gradually make the puzzle more difficult by cutting it into more pieces. Then cut up several greeting cards and have the child find the matches."
