Dr. Toy's Rx: What's Best for Primary Grades

Children grow quickly, rapidly moving through developmental stages. During Primary Grades they are actively expanding their interests in friendships, learning and outdoor play. Peers are very important. The types of toys their friends play with and their activities will influence your child. Children express their ideas, creativity, feelings, abilities and personality in play. They share the give and take and challenges of getting along. By encouraging your child to play with younger and older children will provide a full range of social experiences.

You can choose among many useful play products for five to eight year olds. Active toys develop large and small muscles. Consider skates, jump ropes, construction and adventure toys. Creative toys develop imagination. Explore musical instruments, varied art supplies, crafts, a dollhouse or train layout. Educational toys enhance learning in reading, writing, math, science or geography. Stimulate your child's mental abilities, challenge thinking and problem-solving with a chess set, strategy board game, science project, telescope or hobby.

Select toys that will challenge the child to practice skills, expand abilities and have fun independently, Many great choices are available from such companies as Alex, Aristoplay, Briarpatch, Curiosity Kits, Educational Insights, Ertl, Frank Schaffer Publications, Great American Puzzle Company, LEGO, Kenner, Leap Frog, Galoob Toys, Living Books, Manhattan Toy Company, Milton Bradley, Optimum Resources, Playmates, SEGA, Spizzirri Publishing, Tasco and Wild Planet.

Create a special place for study and play. Your child needs easy access to the wonderful products you purchase. Find new ways to store playthings so your child can take responsibility for putting things away. Shelving makes storage easy. Boxes or bags can hold a lot. Shoe boxes are useful for tapes, small pieces and art supplies. Large boxes can be decorated. A hammock is a good way to store stuffed and soft toys or dolls. A toy chest must have safety hinges.

Take some time each day to play with your child. They will enjoy checkers, a board game,puzzle or doing a craft together.Quality time means fun.

Let's play!