In a toddler’s world, toys and playing is of utmost importance.  Children don’t really care if the toy has educational value they just want it to be fun and exciting.  When buying a toy for a child, a parent sometimes places too much emphasis on the toy itself and not on the value of play the toy provides.  Parents want the best for their children and, in the search of those perfect educational toys, end up spending way too much money for what the toy really has to offer for educational value.   More emphasis needs to be placed on the act of playing itself.    

While selecting toddler toys, a parent has to keep in mind that just because a toy is touted to be educational doesn’t necessarily make it one.   Every toy a child is exposed to is educational in one way or another, but how many times have parents brought home an educational toy they think a child will be fascinated with only to find that the child seems to get more enjoyment with the box than the toy that came in the box.  Many times it is the act of playing itself that holds the educational value.  It’s important to remember a parents’ own creations for their child can sometimes represent the educational value in a toy or object. Children love to mimic.  They love to pretend and do exactly what their parents are doing and learn in the process.  How many times do parents hear their children say “Mommy can I do that?”  They want to shadow everything that is being done.  When the bed is being made they want to help.  When the furniture is being dusted they want to help.  When the car is washed or flowers planted in the garden they want to help.  “Help” in a child’s mind means play.

One of the best things you can do as a parent is stage a space that will allow a child to mimic what you are doing.   When my children were toddlers they always wanted to be in the kitchen with me which I loved but they always seemed to be underfoot.  They even had to sit on the kitchen counter, two inches from what I was doing.  To help alleviate the problem as well as keep them out of all the drawers and cabinets I didn’t want them in, I created “their drawer”.  In “their drawer”, I included many of the same objects I was using so they could work (play) with me and do what I was doing.  Not only could I keep my eye on them, I could fix dinner and not worry about them getting into something I didn’t want them to.  “Their drawer” provided them the ability to play safely while allowing me to do my work.  If you don’t have the space in your kitchen to provide your child with “their drawer”, a box or basket is a fine substitute.  You might even let your child help you select some safe items to place in “their drawer” so they take some ownership in the process.  If you don’t have a lot of extras in your kitchen, you might stop at a thrift store or Dollar Store and add to their inventory for very little cost.

A few basic items you might place in “their drawer” include…

• Measuring spoons which also encourages counting and size such as “which one is bigger and which one is smaller”, wooden spoons, spatulas, whisks, different size stackable bowls, stackable plastic measuring cups which helps develop hand-eye coordination and basic spatial skills and the concept of “in and out”, plastic cups, bowls, plates and utensils, empty margarine containers with lids and any unused Tupperware type products.
• You might even want to throw in a few of their toys relating to a cooking experience such as pretend food.
• If you are courageous enough, you might even include a box of oatmeal on occasion providing them with a healthy and safe substance they can utilize to fill their containers using their own utensils.  Oatmeal is relatively easy to sweep up and can be used again. 

“What’s for dinner?”  Ask any creative child and you’re bound to hear some very delectable meals when they are given the opportunity to exercise their own creativity.  When they are all done with their “work” don’t forget to let them know how yummy their creation is followed by... "What's for dessert?"