I was very honoured to be interviewed along with my friends , Moon founder of mompreneurasia.com and Elaine – founder of Today's Motherhood for Sunday Times Lifestyle featured 6 June 2010.

The article featured mums who make friends , share information and get connected to other mums online. Like the 3 of us,  our link was  the internet. I am glad that through online medias with our online businesses , we are able to reach our to more mummies and create a network that is able to share information and advices around.

Dear parents,  i recently received an email from a representative on behalf of Health Promotion Board to bring attention to parents that Hand Foot Mouth Diseases is on the rise as there were 721 cases of HFMD  reported last week, crossing the epidemic level of 679.

Sgmummy as a portal for parents with young parents, we like to share with you how to spot if your child has signs of HFMD , what to do to prevent your child from contracting HFMD and what is your course of action if your child has it.

HFMD on the rise in Singapore – Parents and schools encouraged to work closely together to keep HFMD at bay

Parents must work closely with caregivers and schools to keep the disease at bay

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is on the rise in Singapore, with many cases arising from childcare centres, who have stayed open during the school holiday season.

HFMD is widely considered to be a mild virus. However, as there is no cure, it can be extremely inconvenient for children (and parents, indirectly). Prevention is the only way to tackle this pesky disease.

Vigilance and strict hygiene measures

All parents should keep vigilant, ensure that high levels of hygiene are met in the home and be themselves, excellent role models of hygiene practices for their children.

Schools and parents must work together to keep HFMD at bay. Several schools are proactive in this area, enforcing strict hygiene practices, high sanitary levels and enforcing strict protocols and regular health checks in their school facilities.

Working together to fight HFMD to keep children happy

The Health Promotion Board promotes awareness of this disease and how to combat it. Parents must work with caregivers, such as grandparents and domestic helpers, who look after children at home. Caregivers must be vigilant and quick to identify the signs and symptoms of HFMD and inform their child’s school immediately.

The signs and symptoms of HFMD are:

1.       2 – 3 days of fever

2.       Sore throat and runny nose

3.       Rash (flat or raised red spots, some with blisters) on the hands (especially the palsm), feet and occasionally on the buttocks, arms and legs

4.       Mouth ulcers

5.       Poor appetite

6.       Vomiting and diarrhea

7.       Tiredness and weakness

Parents must remember that a child is infectious throughout the entire duration of the illness.

How to help your child
The Health Promotion Board advises on the following tips on how to help your child:
1.       Immediately bring your child to the family doctor or nearest polyclinic
2.       Ensure your child  gets plenty of fluids frequently
3.       Change to soft diet
4.       Ensure that medication is taken as prescribed

Keep calm and do not panic if your child has the symptoms
To be in control of the situation, make sure you are aware of what to look out for (signs and symptoms), what to do next (send the child to the doctor and inform the school immediatey) and keep your child at home for the entire duration of the MC and when your child is fully healed (do not take your child to the playground, where other children may get infected) and get plenty of rest.

For more information on HFMD, you can refer to the Health Promotion Board website http://www.hpb.gov.sg.

For other tips for kiasu parent like myself

• Always keep a sanitiser in your bag.  Spray your children hands and your hand after play or as often when you are outdoors
  
• Use a disinfectant that is safe to clean your kids  toys, books and belongings. i even disinfect their school bags when they got back from school.
  
• Build up their immune system with healthy food, ample rest and lots of water throughout the day. Eat lots of fruits and vegetable and a healthy diet. sugary stuffs like cakes and chocolates are a no no

• Engage in outdoor sports if possible and try to avoid crowded places like the shopping mall

Straits Time report – 2 July 2010

Rachel – a new mum won a newborn photoshoot in the monthly Lucky Draw by Origins Jamu Massage proudly sponsered by Colorful Photography. Here is what she has to say about her experience

" Overall, We enjoy the shot. It was a good experience.. Both Photographers were very friendly, we hit it off very well, they were patient and flexible, able to accomodate to baby change in tempermental and were willing to wait when my baby turn super irritated because of sleepyness."

Baby Darryl Portfolio

For the 1st DVD i bought this Sing to Learn Chinese DVD Part 1. The songs were catchy and there were chinese words flashing across with the songs. My daughter was able to follow the tune and learn the words at the same time. I realise after some time , she fell in love with this DVD and she learnt new chinese words through singing and looking at the words each time.

Coming from an English background, our common language was also english and mandarin was something that i am rather fair in. By sitting down watching the DVD with my girl, it has become one of our main activity to learn and bond at the same time. I do remember sometimes, i do not even know the words myself and this learning aid indeed improve my mandarin as well….

Friends, try out this Sing to Learn DVD and make learning fun and enjoyable for your child and yourself.

A rule of the Thumb : Children Learn Best When they are having FUN 

This lady share with christine she tried this program Pregnancy Miracle by Lisa Olson using ancient chinese system along with the holistic approach to get her conceive.  she was quite skeptical at first but determined and desperate to have children she decided to try it out. Surprising her body system reacts well  to the program without the side effects of the IVF treatment.  After using this program for 3 months she finally conceive naturally.

Friends, if you have also the same encounters or has plans for a baby , You may like to start looking at this program tried and tested by many around the world. It may save you a lot of time on your journey for parenthood.

I am glad christine shared this with me and i hope through my sharing, you may be able to benefit from it personally or helped someone you know.

Cheers

Yesterday, my hubby and me went for  a 3 hour spa in Batam, a very nice cosy and private resort i stumbled accidently surfing the internet. The resort is called Tempat Senang – meaning a very relax  place our driver told us. We have been to many spa  in Batam but this is one of the best i feel so far and also a very reasonable price of SIN $80 for 3 treatments of choice for 3 hours.  We love spa, particularly me which i never fail to visit a spa if i travels, that one reason why i love the sand and the sea. These are some pictures we took . It has an amazing 7 private room each equipped with a unique theme for the decoration. If you can spare a few hours, take a half day and visit the spa and relax and recharge yourself, reconnect with your loved ones and i am sure you will enjoy the pampering  and the few hours of dozing during the treatments

The private resort

Cosy reception that make you feel home

Our Spa room

Shower area with overhead shower head

Dinning area or chill out area

Small private swimming pool

Bali Room with a jazzcuzi

Tree house Room with a hanging tree bed

Maybe you can explore this short getaway place and tell jasmine the owner my recommendation. Hope she remembers me…

Hope this will spice up your family life

I like to share and dedicated this to all Parents, Mums and Dads -to-be….  Enjoy !!

Check out more videos here

Toys are more than just fun and games for kids.  Most toys provide at least some opportunity for children to learn.  The best toys engage a child's senses, spark their imaginations and encourage them to interact with others.

Babies and Toys

Babies are eager to learn about the world around them, and they have much to learn.  Every new shape, color, texture, taste and sound is a learning experience for them.  Giving your baby toys that are safe and stimulating will help him discover his senses.

Rattles and toys that make music are favorites of infants.  Toys with contrasting colors are fascinating to babies and stimulate their developing vision.  As they grow, infants can use toys to explore object permanence and cause and effect relationships.  They also need objects such as blocks to help them build motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Toys for Toddlers

Toddlers can play with a wider variety of toys than they did when they were smaller.  They might still enjoy some of the toys they played with as babies, and that's fine.  The same blocks they played with a year or two ago can provide them with new and different educational opportunities as their knowledge expands.  But they also need toys that are designed with kids their age in mind.

Shape sorters are great for toddlers.  They teach them how to match similar items and provide parents the opportunity to teach them the names of the shapes.  Lego blocks provide an opportunity to learn more about colors and symmetry while they develop their motor skills.

Toys for Preschool and School-Aged Children

When children reach preschool age, it's time to start learning about letters, numbers and language skills.  There are lots of toys that encourage this type of learning, from simple alphabet puzzles to high-tech electronic gadgets.  These can give your child a head start by introducing her to the things she will be learning in school.

Kids who are in school can supplement their learning with fun and educational toys.  Giving them the opportunity to have fun while practicing the things they are learning in school will increase their retention of those things.  And when your child finds an educational toy she really likes, she will be more likely to play with it, reinforcing the things she has learned.

Children can learn a lot from playing.  When you give your child educational toys and play with them with her, it gives her a chance to bond with you, learn, and have fun at the same time.  And making education enjoyable will help your child retain the things she learns and develop a positive attitude toward learning.

The best toys are those that require imagination and can be used in a variety of ways.  Here are ten toys that are good for keeping your child's attention.

1. Blocks – Blocks are a staple for kids and they never seem to outgrow them.  They are one of the simplest types of toys around, yet their possibilities are limited only by the child's imagination.  Younger children can also use them for such learning activities as counting games and experimenting with basic addition and subtraction.  Blocks provide numerous learning opportunities and keep kids busy.

2. Dolls and Stuffed Animals - Children love to pretend that their dolls, action figures and stuffed animals are real people or animals.  This can provide them with hours of entertainment.  They may even play with two or more at a time, making different voices for each one.  That's not only fun for them, it's fun for you to watch too.

3. Play-Doh – You probably played with Play-Doh when you were a kid.  Chances are that if you did, you have fond memories of it.  Similar to blocks, Play-Doh allows children to make anything they can imagine.  The factories and tool sets you can buy to go with it are nice but they are not a necessity.

4. Wagons - A wagon can be used in numerous ways.  Kids can use it to transport their toys from one place to another  but that's only the beginning.  It can serve as a vehicle for their stuffed animals or dolls, a pull-along "tray" when they're playing restaurant or even as transportation for the child himself with you pulling it.

5. Art Supplies - Budding Picassos can spend hours making new masterpieces.  Art is a great way to keep kids occupied because it fosters creativity and self-esteem.  And you get the added bonus of new refrigerator decorations.

6. Musical Instruments - Most children love music.  The only thing better than listening to it is making it themselves.  If real musical instruments are not an option, there are toy drum sets, xylophones, kazoos and more that kids can play with.  They could even get other kids together and form a band.

7. Housekeeping or Gardening Tools – Kids love to imitate adults.  A kitchen set, toy vacuum cleaner or a set of gardening tools can help them do so more accurately.  You could enlist them to help you when you're doing housework or yard work.  They will stay occupied and feel a sense of accomplishment.

8. Sandboxes – A sandbox full of toys provides a wealth of opportunities.  Kids can learn a lot by playing in sand.  They can use sticks to make designs, add water and make sandcastles, or make trails with their toy cars.

9. Dress-Up Clothes – Playing dress-up lets kids put together outfits and pretend to be anyone or anything.  You don't have to buy a dress-up set.  Just get out all of the old clothes you can find and let their imaginations run free!

10. Balls – Balls not only keep a child busy, they also encourage physical activity.  There are numerous ways that children can play with them, so they never get boring.

Most children have little trouble expressing their creativity.  Just ask any mother who has had to clean crayons and markers off of a freshly painted wall.  Providing toys that allow your child to get creative encourage imagination and allow her to learn by doing.

Creativity isn't just about artwork.  It can be expressed in a number of ways.  Here are some of the best toys for encouraging creativity in your child.

Building Toys

Blocks of any kind are great for kids of all ages.  They can be used to build almost anything your child can imagine.  Legos allow kids to make more durable masterpieces, but it's important to get the big ones for children who still like to put things in their mouths.

There are also other types of building toys, such as the magnetic K'nex, that allow greater flexibility and different ways to build.  There are even kits that allow older kids to build their own remote control cars.

Art Toys

Drawing is a favorite activity for many children.  You can encourage your budding artist by giving her toys that make it easy to express herself.  Washable markers make messes more bearable.  Magnetic drawing boards, Etch-a-Sketches, and other toys that allow drawing without using crayons or markers eliminate the mess altogether and are great for travel.

Finger paint is a favorite of young artists, but it can be messy.  Letting your kids indulge in it once in a while is good for them, and with some preparation you can avoid any permanent damage.  Smocks and lots of newspaper will protect their clothes and your table.

Musical Toys

Music is a wonderful learning tool for children, and it's even better when they make it themselves.  You can find durable toy instruments for even the youngest budding musician.  Babies love plastic tambourines, maracas and xylophones.  Toddlers and preschoolers can play a kazoo or recorder.  If your child expresses great interest in the piano, beginner piano lessons might be a good investment.

Children who love to sing might enjoy a karaoke machine.  There are also microphones that do special effects so your little singer can sound like a pro.  And there are lots of sing-a-long CDs, DVDs, and toys available.

Craft Kits

There are all sorts of crafts that kids can do.  Kits that come with everything needed for a specific craft project make crafting easy.  You could buy individual craft items and let your kids' imaginations take over.

Creativity comes naturally for kids.  Giving them toys that help them express themselves is a great way to encourage them to do so.  Kids who are allowed to be creative often have a greater interest in learning and as a result they are more likely to do their best in school and life.

While challenge is a very good thing it is important not to go overboard with it.  Doing so will just cause the child to become frustrated.  He might give up on the task at hand and even develop distaste for the entire subject.

So how do you know how much challenge is too much?  Sometimes it is difficult.  It is important to keep activities attainable while still making sure that the child is in fact learning new things.  Here are some ways to do that.

* Electronic educational toys often allow parents and children to choose a skill level.  Make sure that your child is working on a level that is appropriate for him.  If you're not sure, watch while your child goes through the levels starting with the lowest.  Determine the highest level he has mastered and have him work on the next one.

* Most computer learning games automatically go to the next level when a child has mastered the previous one.  If there is an option to save the game at each level, try to make sure that he does so.  Then, instead of going back through things he already knows each time he plays, he can start out on a level that is a challenge for him.

* An older child's schoolwork might be a good indicator of what he has mastered and what he needs to work on.  If there is an area he has trouble in you could expand on it at home.  If he appears to have mastered everything you may want to talk to his teacher about giving him more advanced work to do at school or at home.

* If your child has educational toys that he doesn't play with try to determine why.  He will probably just tell you that he doesn't like them, but it could be that they are either above or below his individual level.  If you can get him to try them while you supervise, it could provide some valuable insight and help you make better selections in the future.

Working on a level that is comfortable for your child yet provides a challenge is crucial to his educational success.  Too little challenge will cause your child to become bored and too much could cause frustration and low self-esteem.  Always remember what is good for one child might be very different from what is good for another child of the same age.  Taking cues from your child will help you decide what level is the best for him.

So how are they able to be involved in my work?

1. They count stocks for me. My kids know how to arrange the stocks in order and while doing so, they learn counting and also foster order practice.
2. They stick my labels on my stocks. Pasting the stickers stimulate their motor skills and they learnt how to stick the label in the right matter so that the wording appear readable. Through this simple "play" , they are expose to alphabets characters and also learn position ( center / left / right)
3. My kids loves stamping. All my receipts are stamped with the company chop and they always volunteer to do the stamping. They feel that it is so much fun and simply love this task.  This again work on their motor skills
   
4. Punches . It is always an interesting hobby for them. They get to punch my invoices, stock card and all.
5. Sticking. Indeed 2 mini post officers in my home… Sticking stamps on the envelope as become their daily activities. (plus it a great way to prevent them from sticking stickers all over the house)
6. Wrapping. My kids love to help when i am wrapping stocks. One will hand me the brochure and the other a name card. Together they will fight over who scotch tape is longer and stick it on the parcel. While doing so, they learn how to wrap things and what are the materials required. Sometimes they  use the scissor and does cutting too.. left over bits and pieces are used to make paper crown or braclets for the girls

Through involving my kids with my work, it actually prepares them when they goes to society because they see what is adult work. My kids know when i am at the laptop that mummy is working and my stocks are not to be messed with because it is mummy's work. Becoming a work at home mum does require effort and persistance. Involving your child makes the journey easier and makes bonding stronger too and yes your kids learn so much more from you.

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Blocks are one of the most basic toys you can find.  It may seem they don't really do anything and in their simplest form they're just little wooden cubes.  But to a child, they represent a world of possibilities.

Blocks are great toys for children of all ages.  Infants love soft blocks to look at, squeeze, chew on and drop.  Toddlers like to put blocks in boxes and pour them out or pile them on the floor.  Preschoolers can build towers, houses, animals and more with blocks.

Blocks are a great way to keep your child occupied, but they also have lots of educational benefits.  Here are some ways that children learn from blocks.

Social Development

Blocks are fun for one child, but two or more make them much more interesting.  Young children enjoy playing with blocks in groups.  It is a great way to encourage children to learn to share and cooperate with others.  As your child grows, she and her playmates may learn to work together to build things.

Physical Development

Small children can gain hand strength from blocks.  They are also one of the best toys for developing hand-eye coordination.  Babies like to drop or throw them.  Toddlers will attempt to arrange and stack them and eventually learning to balance them.

Intellectual Development

Alphabet blocks are one of the best educational toys money can buy.  Most of them are brightly colored and feature letters of the alphabet and numbers.  Young children can begin to sort them by color and eventually they will learn the names of the colors.  Then they can begin to learn the letters and numbers.  Once your child has mastered his letters, the blocks are great for quizzing him on which letter makes which sound.

Blocks are also excellent for introducing math.  They can put the numbers in order to practice counting, and they can count the blocks themselves to learn how to count objects.  Eventually they can use them to experiment with addition and subtraction.

Creativity

Building is quite the creative process for children.  It's a great feeling when they learn to balance several blocks on top of each other.  From there they will begin to build simple structures.  Then they will move on to elaborate houses, schools and even castles.

Lego blocks provide more flexibility in building.  They also allow kids to move their creations to other locations.  While regular building blocks are better for smaller children, Lego blocks are a good replacement when they seem to have outgrown them.

Kids can learn a number of things from blocks.  Because they are learning through participation, they will retain the knowledge more readily.  What more could you ask for out of an educational toy?

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For some parents, these feelings of bonding takes place minutes right after birth while some may takes a few days or slightly longer. If you do not feel the bond right after birth, it is normal.

" I remembered when i had my firstborn, i was very excited when i was expecting , always wanted to see my child soon. Right after delivery when the nurse handed me my baby, honesty i do not feel the strong bond to my child at first sight. I was probably too exhausted from the delivery and had a sudden shock that i was holding on to a newborn. I did not even shed any tears of joy and i merely look at her and see if she was fine. I only felt the bond when i started to breastfeed her. It was a moment of pure joy that someone so beautiful and pure was created and belongs to me. Suddenly i recalled the times i felt her kicking inside my womb and  there was a feeling of protecting this little life. Until today, this little life has grown and sometimes she makes my heart boiled. But deep inside i know that no matter what happens, i will always have intense love and protection for her  "

Bonding requires time. Give your self some time to adjust to this new life. You cannot force bonding, it will comes naturally over time. As you sees your child everyday and taking care of her, you will realise that when you see her little smile, your heart fills with great happiness and love. That bonding …!!

if you find that yourself detached yourself from your baby after a few weeks after birth, it could be a sign of postnatal depression that is delaying bonding. Do consult a health professional or your doctor and seek help as soon as possible.

There has been much debate about which toys are the best for children.  Some argue that high-tech toys provide the best educational opportunities, while others say that simpler toys that require imagination and creativity teach a child to think for himself.  But most children end up with a mixture of both types of toys and perhaps that approach gives them the best of both worlds.

Electronic Toys vs. Non-Electronic Toys

Electronic toys keep a child entertained with lights, sounds, and pictures.  Small children can learn about cause and effect from them.  When they push a button, they get a specified response from the toy.  When they push a different button, they get a different response.

Electronic toys often reward a child with a funny sound or other response when they do something correctly.  This built-in positive reinforcement is good, but it should also be accompanied by positive reinforcement from parents.  Often it is not and that is one of the reasons that some experts prefer non-electronic toys.

Non-electronic toys are often more flexible than electronic ones.  They can be used in a variety of ways.  Take Play-Doh or alphabet blocks, for example.  They require imagination and creativity, but they can be used to make almost anything the child wants to make.  They also have added benefits of refining fine motor skills and providing opportunities to learn colors, letters, and numbers.

Toys That Encourage "Grown-Up" Behavior

Kids love to do what Mom and Dad do.  Whether it's cleaning the house, mowing the lawn, or working on the car, they are often eager to help.  Things like toy kitchens, tool sets, and toy vacuum cleaners let kids "work" with their parents.  These kinds of toys are great because they encourage responsibility and build self-esteem while also building motor skills.

Violent Toys

Most parents won't allow their children to watch violent shows on television.  These shows could scare the children and they promote behavior that is not acceptable.  But many do not realize that war toys can have similar effects.

Most experts say that children should not be allowed to play with guns or other toys that promote violence.  There is the potential for many negative effects.  These toys send the message that violence is acceptable and conflicts should be resolved by fighting.

It may not be readily apparent, but the toys that a child plays with can have profound effects on them.  Providing a child with toys that encourage learning in a healthy way can be a huge asset to your child's development.  Children who learn at home develop skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.

Becoming a dad is filled with anxiety and excitments. Here is to share on preparing yourself for this new role in life.

1. Meeting your own needs :
Finding way to meeting your needs is important for you and your wife. This will ensure that you have the energy and drive to be a source of protection for your wife and baby, enjoying their company and providing for them

2. Be prepared for postpartum blues:
Man can also suffer from postpartum blues. It is often related to feeling left out or being ignored because your wife is paying more attention to your newborn. It is not unreasonable to have feelings of envy, frustration and resentment. But leaving those feeling unchecked and unexpressed appropriate is unhealthy. Share your struggles with your wife but do not make demands on her. Or confide in other more experienced and trusted fathers

3. Be Involved with your baby right from the start
Some father may think that they do not have much to offer an infant except to bring in the money to feed the extra mouth. however spending time with your baby, playing with him , taking him to the park, singing and reading to him , bathing him are also ways to help you overcome postpartum blues and bond with your baby.

4. Expect and Accept the changes in your life
You probably had more time to do things on a whim and a fancy before you baby is born. Now that your routine has been disrupted – you will always need to consider your baby when making plans. Learn to go with the flow. Being willing to make sacrifices will certainly aid you to adjust better during this potentially trying time.

if you need advice on fathering in Singapore.  You can go to http://fathers.com.sg

Read other experiences from our readers

http://sgmummy.com/the-best-promotion-in-life-daddy/

http://sgmummy.com/from-the-deepest-heart-of-a-new-dad/

Christmas is a season of Joy and Forgiviness. Bring joy to others and particularly for people who are in need. Forgive those who has offended you in the past year. Just spread your love and do a little more this year and make this christmas an unforgettable, memorable and  fulfilling one.

Do your bit and start from here (click the picture)

Here is a short video song specially for you. Have a blessed Christmas !

* The age on the box is not always a good indicator of how appropriate a toy is for your child.  That doesn't mean that you should ignore it completely, because it usually represents the ages that the toy has been deemed safe for.  But a toy that is safe for a certain age group is not necessarily appropriate for it's educational level.

* A toy that is good for one child may not be the best choice for another child of the same age.  Children learn at different rates, and while many toys are made for the average child of a certain age range, your child could be ahead or behind.  Rather than relying solely on numbers, take cues from what your child is comfortable with.

* Babies need toys that are safe and stimulating.  Bright, contrasting colors, unusual textures and interesting sounds are good things to look for.  Toys that make noise or light up in response to the baby's actions provide an opportunity to learn about cause and effect.

* Toddler toys should allow the child to develop his motor skills or learn about shapes, colors, animals and other basic things.  Those that incorporate both motor skills and intellectual development are even better.  Social skills are also beginning to develop at this stage, and items that your toddler can share with other children are a good way to encourage this.  But it's important to remember that young toddlers often prefer to play alongside other children rather than with them.

* Preschoolers are ready to learn about letters and numbers.  There are all kinds of toys that can help with this, from alphabet blocks to talking books.  Finding something that your child enjoys playing with that teaches these things will be a great asset to him.

* Some toys are good for a wide range of ages.  Building blocks and simple wooden puzzles with large pieces, for example, can grow with a child.  He could learn different things from them as a baby, toddler and preschooler.  Some electronic toys are designed to teach children different things at different ages as well.

Finding the right toy for your child's age is not as difficult as it sounds.  The trick is to be less concerned about numbers and more concerned about your child's developmental level.  As long as a toy is safe for your child, if he is having fun and learning from it, that is always a good thing.

Older children learn at school but they can also continue to learn through play.  Physical activities improve motor skills.  Toys and activities that encourage them to use their imaginations can help them develop cognitive skills.  And group activities enhance social skills.

Motor Skills

Motor skills are some of the first skills that children learn.  Gross motor skills are those that involve using a large number of muscles to make big movements, such as rolling over, crawling, running and jumping.  Fine motor skills consist of smaller movements, usually those of the hands and fingers.

Gross motor skill development can be encouraged through play.  Hopscotch is a great game for developing gross motor skills.  Playing catch or team sports are also beneficial.

Many toys are good for developing fine motor skills.  Blocks and puzzles are two of the simplest and best.  But almost any small toy can encourage the refinement of fine motor skills.

Cognitive Development

Many educational toys concentrate on cognitive development.  This includes things like remembering, problem solving and decision making.  These skills are essential for success in school and all other aspects of life.

Any activity that requires imagination has the potential to encourage problem solving and decision making skills.  Games such as Memory and Bop It can help a child develop his memory.  Adults might even benefit from playing them with their children.

Social Skills

Social skills are learned through play with other children.  Sharing and teamwork are two examples.  These skills begin to develop in the preschool years.  Proper development of social skills lays the foundation for good relationships with family and peers.

The same blocks and puzzles that help children develop fine motor skills can be used by a group of children to promote the development of social skills.  Children can work together to build something or solve the puzzle. They can share blocks with each other.  They can discuss ideas about how to best solve the puzzle.  They learn to enjoy one another's company.  Competitive games foster healthy competition and good sportsmanship.

Kids need opportunities to play both alone and with other children.  This will ensure that motor skills, cognitive skills and social skills all have a chance to develop and flourish.  It will also add to the variety of play experiences, helping to prevent boredom.

Playing plays an important role in every child's development.  Access to educational toys maximizes the learning opportunities that play has to offer.  Active participation from parents allows for both bonding and learning.