Tips and Ideas for Teaching Through Play

Label Common Items: Simply naming the items that your play kitchen includes is one way to expand vocabulary. Point to an item such as a spoon and pair it with the name “spoon” to teach the names of different items. This helps with expressive communication for children who are just finding their voice.

Receptive Skills with Common Items: Ask your child to point or show you where the different kitchen items are – “show me the spoon,” “hand me the ketchup” or “point to the oven” are different ways to phase it. This helps with receptive communication.

Examples of Common Items included: plates, bowl, spoon, knife, sink, oven, microwave,, phone, refrigerator, chalkboard, clock, cabinets, coffee maker, pots, pans, oven mitts, grocery bag, and more!

Label Actions: Narrate what you and your child are doing. For example, “you’re cooking pancakes, yum! I’m washing dishes.” Have your child do the same. Ask him/her “what are you doing?” or “what am I doing?”

Receptive Skills with Actions: Have your child show you actions. You can phrase this by saying, “show me łŠŽÇŽÇ°ìŸ±ČÔČ”â€ or “open the cabinet so we can put the dishes away.”

Examples of Actions to teach: cooking, washing, baking, drawing or writing (on a chalkboard), talking (on the phone), etc.

Learn Prepositions: You can teach your child prepositions by labeling the prepositions – “the spoon is Ÿ±ČÔČőŸ±»ć±đ” or “the plates are on top,” etc. You can then switch it around and ask your child, “where are the spoons?” and teach them to answer using the correct preposition. Practice their listening skills by delivering an instruction such as “put the spoon inside the sink.”

Examples of Prepositions: inside, outside, on top, above, in front, behind, next to, over, under, etc.

Fill-in-the-Blanks: a prerequisite to answering questions is filling in the blanks. Going back to the basic skills on expanding vocabulary, you can use simple phrases such as “this is a _____” and hold up a spoon or point to the clock.

Functions of Kitchen Items: Teach your child about the functions of kitchen items by labeling what they are used for. For example, the sink is to wash dishes or wash your hands. The oven is to heat up food. The refrigerator is to keep food cold. This can be done by using the fill-in the blank method (“the refrigerator keeps food ____”), or if their language is at a higher level, simply ask, “what does a refrigerator do?”

Examples of items to learn: oven, refrigerator, clock, cabinets, sink, microwave, stove, pots and pans, spoon and fork, cups, etc.

Pretend Play: Using their own imagination or imitating what Mom or Dad does in the kitchen is a great skill for children to have. They can make up stories while playing in the kitchen, pretend they’re cooking or preparing a feast, make cookies or bake for a bake sale. Pretend play can be so diverse and literally be anything!

This post was written by Jenna Almirol at . Jenna has a BA in Psychology and a MA in Counseling Psychology. She currently works full-time as a Clinical Supervisor, primarily with children diagnosed with ASD.

Play is one of the most basic yet most essential components of childhood development. Pretend play is the lens through which children learn about the world; it’s immensely critical to their social, physical, emotional, sensory, and cognitive development. What can we, as parents, do to encourage our kids to play? Easy—just support it!

What that support looks like can take on many forms and much of this depends on your child’s age and current stage of development. As your child’s brain grows, their play becomes more and more complex—think of a toddler compared to a kindergartner. Toddlers will play near each other, but not really with each other. Older children will engage with other kids and play interactive games with rules, compromise, and elaborate storylines.

Styles of Play for Different Age Ranges

There are four main styles of play. Most children will progress through the different types of play in this order:

0 – 24 months

• Solitary play: Playing alone.
• Example: A child is picking up blocks and clapping them together to make noise.

24 – 36 months

• Parallel play: Playing near other children but not with them.
• Example: Two children are both playing with blocks but building separate towers.

3 years +

• Interactive play: Play that begins to engage with other children.
• Example: Children are building a block tower together.

4 years +

• Cooperative play: Interactive play that is more elaborate and complex.
• Example: Children are building a block tower that is then incorporated into a game of princesses and dragons.

These various styles of play help build social and emotional development as well as cognitive development in children.

Types of Play

An important aspect of encouraging pretend play is to consider how the adults can get involved or whether they should sit it out and let kids run the show. In the world of play research, this is called structured versus unstructured play—both are important and necessary.

Unstructured Play

Unstructured play is free play. Send your kids outside and let them run wild. Pour a container of blocks on the playroom floor and walk away. Fun, freestyle play is the name of the game here. This type of play has so many benefits for your child’s cognitive development.

Unstructured play gives your child the space to take risks and experiment. It promotes independence and agency while allowing your child to learn to navigate an ever-evolving social dynamic with other children. Your child’s executive functioning skills get kicked into action with continued problem solving—all in the name of fun!

Structured Play

Structured play, on the other hand, is play with a purpose. It’s still fun, but there’s an underlying goal of teaching and learning. Structured play is a way of intentionally teaching children about the world through play. For example, instead of just dumping out that bucket of blocks, you would sit down with your child and engage. You can teach your child about colors and numbers, properties of physics by building a tower with a strong base, and set some rules that emphasize turn-taking and sharing.

Not only does structured play allow you to spend some quality time with your little one, but it also provides the benefit of teaching your child important skills. With your guidance, your children will discover new ways of playing with toys, improve their language and communication skills, and even develop their physical strength, balance, and coordination!

Now remember, while you do get to be involved in the play time, try your best not to take over. It’s important to ensure that your child is still given the freedom to let their imagination soar. If your child wants to build a train station that then gets eaten by dinosaurs, go with it! Your job is to incorporate the learning into whatever storyline your child’s imagination creates.

What Is a Parent’s Role in Play with Children?

When children are young, their minds are like sponges—seize this moment and take advantage of the time to teach. This is the perfect opportunity to span the generations and get parents and grandparents alike engaged with children. Not only does this build relationships within your family, it allows your child to experience many different styles of teaching and learning.

One the most common questions that I get from my families at the doctor’s office is how do I best play with my kids? For so many parents, especially first-time parents, there’s so much that can be learned!

The first two questions that you, as a parent, should be asking yourself are:

1. What should we play with, and how do we play with it? Not all toys are made equal, and it’s important to identify what the strengths of each toy are.
2. What can your child learn from this play experience? Not to mention, what can you learn from this experience of playing with your child?

How to Choose the Best Pretend Play Toys

When choosing which toys to buy, consider these questions:

• What is the age and developmental stage of your child?
• What are the next skills that your child should be learning? If you’re unsure, ask your pediatrician!
• Does this toy specifically meet these needs?
• How can my child grow with this toy?

Great Toy Ideas for Pretend Play

Here are some great ideas to get you started! Remember: not all toys need to be fancy. Some toys are thoughtfully and intentionally designed to meet the developmental needs of your child. In contrast, sometimes you don’t need a specific toy at all—just open up your kitchen cabinet!

Water Play

Kids love playing in water, and it’s great for kids of any age and developmental stage. Water play paves the way for physics experiments galore!

For toddlers, let them splash and pour water between containers:

• Talk out loud about what you are seeing, feeling, and hearing
• Use descriptive words
• Do repetitive activities

Little ones need to see and do things over, and over, and over. With older kids, you can ask them what if questions. For example, “What will happen if we pour water from different heights? Which height will make the biggest splash?”

Teach them about volume and displacement of water. Make hypotheses about which objects will sink and which will float. The bath tub is great for these types of experiments and so are im”çŸșapp’s beloved water tables! One of the great things about these water tables is that there are so many teaching tools built in to help your child learn and explore!

Role Play Ideas for Kids

Play houses, kitchens, and workshops may be the perfect pretend play toys for kids 2 to 3 years and up! The possibilities are endless, and your child’s imagination will soar.

One of the primary cognitive developmental skills that children will master over these early years is imaginary play. The second is language. Pretend play and the creation of imaginary worlds will focus on both!

Pretend play for toddlers focuses primarily on mimicking or copying behaviors that they see adults doing. When working on this social development skill, your focus should be to teach children what to do. In other words, pick up a baby doll, feed it, rock it, sing to it, put it to sleep.

Use a toddler play kitchen to “cook” and make food for everyone in the family. Talk about the food being hot or cold and use descriptive words, such as hungry and full. Incorporate animated gestures into your conversation: rub your belly and lean back in your chair to show your child you are so full!

As kids get older, their imaginary play becomes more and more complex. Characters develop, and suddenly, you’re the little sister or the grandpa. Allow your child to assign roles and develop the storyline. Your job is to play along, talk out loud about everything you’re doing, and have fun!

Pretend Play Toys

Need to find the perfect playhouse? Look no further—im”çŸșapp has artfully developed so many pretend play toys, such as playhouses, kitchens, and workshops. Choices abound!

Play is critical to your child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. Get down on the floor with your child and have some fun!

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What are your favorite ways to get your child’s imagination engaged? Comment below!

Dr. Keili Mistovich, MD, MPH, is a mom, pediatrician, and fierce advocate for children. She earned a Doctor of Medicine degree and Master’s of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Keili graduated from the Pediatric Residency Program at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and was on the clinical faculty at Pitt. She also cared for children at the nationally renowned Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Dr. Keili is now a co-founder of Greater Cleveland Pediatrics, a new practice with a unique and personalized approach to patient care for all families.

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We live in the age of technology. It’s hard to go a few minutes without looking at our phone or tablet to check our email or aimlessly scroll through social media.

As parents, we’re the ones setting examples for our children. So, more often than not they begin to mimic our actions, especially when it comes to screen time. Screen time is any time that is spent in front of a screen, whether it be TVs, computers, tablets, or phones. Naturally, the more screen time your little one has, the less play time they have. It’s important not to forget that children should get at least one hour of physical activity every single day.

There can even be negative side effects that correlate to too much screen time. Psychologist, discussed how increased screen time can actually cause permanent damage to children’s developing brains. Parents traditionally encourage concentration, communication, and learning. But with increased screen time, these abilities are hindered.

If you want to help maximize your child’s brain power, it’s critical that you help them develop good habits! This includes setting limits to screen time and encouraging physical activity.

Need some ideas on how to start encouraging play time instead of screen time? Here are some of our im”çŸșapp family favorites.

Play With Them

One of the best ways to get children to be active is to do something with them. If you want them to spend time outside, go outside with them and encourage healthy habits. Play with them on the playground or go for a walk! Live in a region where it’s too cold to be outside? Consider bringing in some of their favorite toys indoors so there are always positive alternative options to screen time. When your little one sees mom or dad playing, they will be more motivated to break away from the screen and join you.

Embrace Boredom

Being bored doesn’t have to necessarily be a bad thing. Boredom can often be the perfect solution when it comes to encouraging creative play. When your child is left to come up with a screen-free way to occupy their time, you’ll be amazed by the ideas they come up with. Finding different ways to have fun encourages your child to embrace a level of play that is both educational and fun.

Keep Some Old Toys

While clutter is no one’s idea of a good time, sometimes it can help promote play. Children can often revisit playing with toys that you may have thought they have outgrown. Having items around that promote imaginative play, encourages different play possibilities. If there are no items to play with, how do we expect children to play? So next time you think of purging their previously loved games or play kitchen, think about ways these toys can be used to encourage play time.

Just Say No

While it might not always be ideal, don’t be afraid to say no to screen time. This doesn’t mean that you have to quit technology altogether, but it is important to teach your children about the importance of moderation. Don’t let them try to bargain when they want additional screen time. Stand your ground, and they’ll quickly get used to finding other ways to occupy their time.

Lead by Example

It’s apparent that our children mimic what we do. So, if they always see the adults in their lives using screens, they are more likely to do the same. If you want your child to embrace the idea of putting down the screen, it’s important to lead by example. Put your phone or tablet down when you’re with them and make yourself present. This helps send the message that relationships and time with others are important and should not be ignored.

When in doubt, remember that the less screen time children have, the better. Decreasing time spent in front of electronic devices means more time spent exploring and building relationships with those around them!

And then, bam! Your baby turned one and was suddenly shaking their head no, spitting out, swiping away, throwing down, and refusing to eat anything. Anything! Ok, except maybe pasta with butter. Every. Single. Day.

In a nutshell, your adventurous-eating pride and joy inexplicably transformed into a—horror of horrors!—picky eater. (Cue scary music.)

No fret. We’re here to help. But first, you need to understand why this is happening.

After turning one, a toddler’s intake need for food slows down. (After all, on average, they’ve already gained about three times their birth weight in the first year alone.) Not only that, they’re getting used to a whole new set of textures, smells, and tastes. They’re more interested in playing than eating. And they’re undergoing a newfound sense of independence, assertion, choices, and the notorious power of that dreaded two-letter word “no.”

That’s when you need to step back, take a deep breath, and see what you can do to gently nudge your toddler picky eater to start trying more adventurous foods again. Here are our suggestions!

Make it Into a Game

Inject laughter and happiness into mealtime. Play games that are fun and will, hopefully, get your child to eat a few more bites than usual. There are so many creative ideas out there, from the “” game (where you put some food on a spoon and pretend to fly it away) to the “” game (where you tell your child not to eat anything on their plate, just watch it for you). Your comical and exaggerated theatrics will work (just about) every time!

Plant a Garden Together

When kids get an opportunity to actually contribute in a hands-on way to their food source, chances are much greater they’ll not only be proud of their hard work, but they’ll be willing to eat the produce, too! Choose a plot as large or small as you have room for. (Or join a if your yard isn’t big enough.) what you’d like to grow, from , to and . The trick is to keep it simple and try new things. A sun-kissed tomato or strawberry picked right from their very own garden will always taste better!

Play Pretend Cooking

Just the act of pretend cooking will draw your youngster into the exciting world of food. You can role play with them and ask what they’re preparing for you in their play kitchen. Maybe make them the chef of their very own restaurant. Discuss the menu and how they plan to “cook” your special meal. Just the mention of ingredients and food prep may be enough to dispel any apprehensions they may have about “real” food and meals. In other words, the less scary, the better.

Prepare Meals Together

When your toddler has a hand in preparing the family meal, they’re much more likely to eat it. (At least we’re pretty sure they will.) The trick is to involve them in every stage of the planning, from menu creation and shopping, to cooking and even . They can assist in basic food prep with your help, including stirring pancake batter, tearing up lettuce for a salad, adding ingredients to a bowl, and assembling a pizza. Try that make it easy for them, too! The whole idea is to get them to handle, smell, and touch the food they’re going to be much more willing to eat.

Arrange Food in Funny Shapes

Seriously, what better way to get your picky eater to sit up and take notice than with a dish that features food arranged in the funniest, kookiest way? Suddenly, you’ve got their attention. You’ve got their interest. And chances are pretty good you’ve got their willingness to give it a try, too! Giggles guaranteed. Check online for lots of that will help you get started.

Hide the Good Stuff

There are the usual/bland ways to prepare veggies and fruits for your kids (when “yuck!” is a normal response). And then there are the sneaky creative ways to prepare them that might
just might
get them to eat them. Pick up a on this very subject, or just download and print our free recipe card for tasty zucchini muffins (slyly renamed Green Speckly Muffins). They just happen to be how one of our own peeps gets her grandkids to eat their squash. Hey, all’s fair in this game!

Venture Out to Restaurants

Do not—we repeat, do not—be afraid to occasionally take your little human to a big-human eatery. (But please be considerate of your co-diners and try to choose one that’s .) There are many to be found, from your local mom-and-pop diner, to at upscale restaurants all over the world! This is yet one more way to open your child’s eyes (and their taste buds) to trying something new and totally delicious. You just never know.

Download the FREE recipe card for Speckly Muffins !

Some bunny gave us a few clues to get your hunt off on the right foot! Golden Eggs might be found in the following categories on im”çŸșapp.com:

• Playhouses
• Combos
• Pretend Play
• Coasters
• Wagons
• Play Kitchens
• Swing Sets
• Climbers

Maybe the product you’re reallllly hoping to find in your Easter basket doesn’t have a Golden Egg? Have no fear! Take 10% sitewide with code EGGS10 during the Golden Egg Hunt*!

The eggs are hidden and ready to be found, so HOP to it!

*20% off discount only applies to products with a golden egg on the main image. In order to receive the discount, you must enter the coupon code found on the product page at checkout. 10% off sitewide discount excludes clearance, pre-order and select combo items.

Grand Walk In Wood Kitchen

Your little cook will sautĂ© the day away with our newest addition! The Grand Walk In Kitchen is a premium wooden play kitchen that features a look-through refrigerator and oversized oven that matches the modern design of today’s kitchens. Your little chef will be able to clean up after dinner with the goose-neck style faucet. The extended breakfast bar creates added space to enjoy their morning meal. In addition, this play kitchen provides a ton of storage for their play food, dishes and so much more!

Extreme Coaster

Turn your backyard into an amusement park with the im”çŸșapp Extreme Coaster! Your kids will have a blast climbing up the stairs to reset the coaster car to take a ride back down the track. Your thrill seeker will ride the day away in the coaster’s easy-entry car that allows for balanced mounting and riding. Because the Extreme Coaster is extremely durable, it can be left outside year round.

Grillin’ Up Goodness Wood Grill

Your grill master will be able to grill all year long with the Grillin’ Up Goodness Wood Grill. Little chefs can use the clicking knobs to fire up the grill. While their main dish is cooking, they can use the attached side burner to prepare their appetizer. Your little one can keep an eye on their meal with the look-through window to make sure their dinner isn’t overcooked! After they eat their delicious meal, they can store all of their spices and utensils in the oversized cabinet.

For more age appropriate toys for your 4-year-old, shop our Holiday Gift Guide by age here.

Midtown Modern Wood Kitchen

Whether your little chef’s favorite color is pink or blue, we have the perfect present for you. The Midtown Modern Wood Kitchen features realistic clicking range knobs to allow little ones to “pre-heat” the oven for Christmas dinner. The oven, fridge and microwave doors include a “window”, just like today’s modern kitchen appliances that Mom and Dad use. Last but not least, the premium wood finishes give this kitchen a truly unique look for an enhanced role play experience.

Clean Sweep Wood Laundry Center

We know how great it is to see your child’s playroom or bedroom neat and tidy. With this wooden laundry play center by im”çŸșapp. Little ones will be able to do all their laundry just like Mom or Dad! The wood finish features bright, fun colors to give this play set a modern look. Your kiddo can toss their clothes into the washer and turn the clicking knobs to “set” the temperature! Plus, the included laundry bin allows for additional storage or as a hamper for dirty clothes.

Thomas the Tank Engine Up & Down Roller Coaster

We’ve taken the classic and transformed it into the character Thomas the Tank Engine! This coaster features over nine feet of up and down coaster track for endless hours of coaster riding fun. The Thomas the Tank Engine roller coaster car features a high seat back, coaster hand-rail and foot rests for a secure coaster ride. Along with non-slip steps and recessed wheel wells!

Jumbo Art Easel

This kid’s double-sided art easel comes with a white board and chalkboard for twice the coloring fun! This sturdy, artistic play set encourages kiddos creativity and allows for them to develop fine motor skills through drawing, writing and coloring. When they’re finished creating, they can store their art supplies in the large storage bins and built-in storage pockets.

For more age appropriate gift ideas, or to shop our Holiday Gift Guide, please visit our website.

How many times have you thought about what to get your 2-year-old, but can’t figure out what the perfect present might be? Probably more than you’d like to admit. Well, have no fear, im”çŸșapp is here! We’ve put together a gift guide for your tiny tot that will make their two’s terrific.

Whisper Ride Cruiser

Whether your little one’s favorite color is pink or blue, it’s the perfect gift for you! The Whisper Ride Cruiser makes trips around the park, neighborhood or zoo an enjoyable cruise. Complete with life-like decals and interactive features, this ride-on resembles a real car! The Whisper Wheels make pushing around your racer an easy, quiet ride.

Disney Princess Chariot Wagon

Let your little ones arrive to Christmas in style with the Disney Princess Chariot Wagon from im”çŸșapp. They’ll be riding just like their favorite princesses with built-in cup holders and molded-in seat backs. Our Whisper Wheels make for a quiet and smooth ride around the neighborhood or park. The chariot shade canopy provides shade for your little royalty, but can be also be removed!

Dash & Go Coaster

Get ready. Get set. Go! The Dash & Go Coaster lets your toddler dash downhill in a trendy, bright coaster car. The raised seat back, foot rests and large-grip handles make for a fun, safe ride. The coaster set also stacks for quick and easy storage!

LifeStyle Custom Kitchen

Your little chef can cook up a Christmas Eve meal in a kitchen that looks just like Mom or Dad’s! The Lifestyle Custom Kitchen is designed to match today’s dĂ©cor trends. Featuring a compact design, it is perfect for your toddler’s bedroom or playroom. They’ll be cooking all day with the fun electronic sounds that resemble the sounds of real appliances. The faux “stainless steel” oven, refrigerator and microwave look great, but also provide storage! For help on selecting the perfect kitchen, click .

im”çŸșapp has even more toys to choose from this holiday season! You can shop more age appropriate toys for your toddler via our Holiday Gift Guide here!

7 Benefits of Play Kitchens

Play kitchens have always been one of the most popular children’s toys to ever exist. In the beginning, these kitchens may have been little more than a plastic oven and work surface with bits of fruits, vegetables and a few cooking pots. Nowadays, there are more options than ever before, with that include all the utensils and accessories that could even put your own kitchen to shame!

However, before dismissing these creations off as simple toys, these sets bring about a whole series of , teaching and educating your child in important life skills and personality traits that can help and guide them through the rest of their lives. From improved math skills to food knowledge, here is my list of the top seven benefits that play kitchens can encourage within your children.

1. Encourages Teamwork

How often do you see a child more happy and excitable than when they are playing with their friends or siblings? Kids love to . With a play kitchen, your children are inclined to distribute certain roles to one another that will reward them with the completion of the task of cooking an imaginary dinner. For example, if you have one child doing the cooking, another cleaning up and another putting everything away, this is a fantastic example of teamwork, a skill that will remain with them throughout all stages of life.

Consider the LifeStyle Deluxe Kitchen. This multi-featured play kitchen is capable of entertaining up to four or five children at time. This allows each of them to adopt their own crucial role in the kitchen, giving the chance to try and work together while working around each other, passing each other food and other equipment needed to get the job done.

2. Molds Vital Organizational Skills

As all parents will know, organizational skills are one of the hardest concepts to teach. However, with a play kitchen, it’s easy to demonstrate and share examples of why it’s both beneficial and smart to be organized and plan things out. In this scenario, with all the tools, accessories and cutlery, if your child doesn’t stay organized, how will they be able to find what they are looking for? By keeping everything in its place, your child will know exactly where everything is, promoting the value of being organized.

For example, take a look at the Elegant Edge Kitchen. This multi-tiered kitchen is overflowing with features, functions and storage space that it’s vital that your kids stay organized. By designating each piece of equipment to its own cupboard or housing and by keeping all the food in safe and organized manner, your child will quickly learn that by tidying things away and keeping things neat, they will have a much more enjoyable time.3. Teaches Responsibility for Belongings

Kids are renowned for breaking things. In most cases, it’s not intentional but at a young age, it’s hard to teach a child about the value of money. A play kitchen, however, for most kids, is one of the greatest play sets available, quite possibly their most valued toy. By telling your children that they have to look after and care for every aspect will help to teach them this valuable lesson. Even down to the little details of cleaning up after they have finished so it’s ready for use next time is a lifelong skill that will benefit your child no end.

4. Helps with Counting Skills

As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. Whether your child is beginning to learn or already knows how to count, a play kitchen is great practice that draws no negatives. While playing in the kitchen, whether they are and portions or trying to figure out how many people need a seat, there are so many opportunities for your child to improve their all-important counting abilities.

For example, the Dream Kitchen comes with over 130 play food pieces representing all kinds of food in many different shapes and sizes. If your child has received ‘orders’ that one person wants three carrots, two peppers and so on around the table, your child’s counting abilities are constantly tested in a friendly and encouraging way, enabling them to efficiently develop their skills while having fun.

5. Aids Social Development

Children love pretending. Imagination is one of the driving forces of and there’s no exception when it comes to play kitchens. This is because, when imagining, kids can mentally become whoever they want to be, creating empathy with those types of people and giving them a real insight into other people’s lives. For example, even if your child has never been aware of what it’s like to work in a kitchen; by trying to serve up all the meals in an allotted time, they will receive a genuine insight into the world of a chef, a priceless development skill that gives them a glimpse into the big wide world.

6. Teaches the Importance of Sharing

It doesn’t matter whether you have a small or big play kitchen, the element of sharing will remain the same. Whether your child is , there are always going to be times in which they will have to share the food and tools. Despite being one of the more difficult traits to teach, this is such an important skill for your child to learn at a young age and will benefit them no end in life, especially during the younger educational years.

7. Encourages Teamwork and Communication

Your child may play with many kinds of toys. From play kitchens, dolls, cars and even imaginary friends, communication is always a key element that runs consistency throughout all of them. The sooner your child begins to learn about how to effectively communicate with people, the faster the skill will improve. Better still, if you incorporate shopping lists or waiter orders into the play kitchen, this can be a huge motivation for your child to learn to read and write.

Due to the larger size of the Grand Walk-In Kitchen, communication is the key to success. Each child, whether siblings or friends, can have their own position in and around the kitchen where they will be able to communicate with each other, as well as using teamwork, in order to have the best time possible. This is such a great opportunity for parents to get involved, enabling them to positively encourage these life lessons.

By giving your child the freedom and tools to explore new concept through the toys they love, they can learn vital life skills that will benefit them throughout their lifetime. Alongside these skills, you’ll be encouraging personality traits such as trust, confidence and even a more outgoing and , all of which are essential for a healthy, happy child.

About the Author:

Sandra Cobain is the editor-in-chief of , a website geared towards helping parents find the best stuff (whether it’s toys or parenting advice) for their kids. She’s also a child psychologist and mum to two zestful kids. She recently wrote a comprehensive post titled .

The has upscale “slate” finish appliances, a farm-style sink with “spring” faucet, and real working lights – yes, the fridge and oven actually light up so little chefs can watch their meals cook and see if they have all the needed ingredients in stock! The lights in the refrigerator and oven activate when the doors open and close.

It also includes a 78-peice accessory set, magic burner that activates the “popcorn machine” and “blender,” a granite-look countertop, and a coffee maker with little pods.

The im”çŸșapp Ambassadors had a chance to test out this kitchen. Check out the video below to see the kitchen features in action!

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below. This prize is valued at $349.99. This giveaway open to residents of the 48 contiguous US states, ages 18+. Ends 10/10/16 at 11:59 PM EST. Good Luck!

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Giveaway is open to residents of the 48 contiguous US states, age 18+. Giveaway will close at 11:59PM ET on 10/10/16. One winner will be selected and contacted by email to claim the prize. Winner will receive ta im”çŸșapp Grand Luxe Kitchen shipped to the address of their choice.

Tots can master their culinary skills with the !

The holidays are quickly approaching, which means family gatherings, gift giving and holiday treats! Do you have a at home? Wouldn’t it be fun to “make cookies” with your little one in his or her play kitchen? We came up with an easy holiday craft for this week’s FriDIY!

FriDIY: Pretend Cookie Cutters

1. Gather your materials
   • Foam paper
   • Toilet paper roll (1 roll will make approximately 4 “cookie cutters”)
   • Scissors
   • Glue
2. Cut the toilet paper roll into 4 cylindrical pieces
3. Cut (4) 1″ x 5.5″ strips of foam
4. Fold one strip in half (hot dog style) and run a line of glue down the fold
5. Wrap the foam around one of the toilet paper roll pieces
6. Let dry
7. Repeat for as many “cookie cutters” as you’d like
8. “Make cookies” with your little chef!

Manufacturer’s Note: This DIY is to be completed by adults. Dispose of any Styrofoam remnants before play. Please make sure children are the recommended age to play with the product(s) featured in this blog post. Adult supervision is required.

Explore the spacious and friendly features of the Friends & Fun Kitchen!

Little bakers have a to bake sweet treats in!

On each ‘s page, you may have noticed we have listed the height, width, and length dimensions to better assist you during your decision on which play kitchen to purchase. However, we have received questions surrounding the height of the counters on our play kitchens. Therefore, we decided to create a scale to reference and compare the highest point, width, length, and height of the counters of each play kitchen to help you decide which kitchen is perfect for your child!

: This realistic wooden-looking clubhouse is a child’s dream come true! PAL (Play on Words) awarded My Clubhouse with their in 2012. It is award given to toys based on products that encourage language, spark fun, and invite creative play. My clubhouse has plenty of features such as a peephole, chalkboard, picnic table, and secret hiding compartment.

: The perfect modern ride-on with 360 degree steering. The Easy Steer Sportster was award the . This is an independent program that involves testing of parent/child products in the market. The testing goes on for an eight week period and is conducted by volunteers consisting of parents, children, and educators. The volunteers judge the quality of the toys and reaction children have to the products.

In addition, the Easy Steer Sportster also received the . Toys are tested and evaluated by families for two months. Testers are given a journal to document the initial reaction and satisfaction of the toy and continue to take notes on the long term reaction. The Easy Steer Sportster is unique for its whisper wheels which provide a smooth ride, cup holder for parents near the handle, and the handle folds under for easy storage.

: This fun and multi-function slide was award the The fort attached to the slide is a great hiding and hang out area for kids. Parents can still see into the fort through the mesh. This way they can keep tabs on their little ones.

: The pretend washer and accessories are perfect for kids that want to imitate their parents. Because of this, it was award the. The My Own Laundry helps children to use their imaginations and pretend they are washing clothes, ironing, and hanging them. The accessories such at the hangers, iron, and spray bottle help the washer to come alive even more.

: Staying cool and entertained during the summer is easy when kids when the Big Splash Waterpark. Between easy assembly and tons of enjoyable features including, a waterslide, waterwheel, multi-level pool, two swimmers, and a diving board- the fun never ends. For these reasons, the Big Splash Waterpark received the .

: With a large design, bright colors, and realistic accessories, it is no surprise why children and parents alike enjoy the Creative Cooks Kitchen. It received the . The Gold and Platinum Awards are very special because only 1 in 10 toys merit these awards. Only 8% of toys on The Noise on Toys receives gold.

: With silent wheels, plenty of room, seats flip into flat bed, seat or table, and six cup and snack holders make the

All Around Wagon is a perfect wagon for children. All of the wagon’s qualities helped it to receive the

In addition to receiving this prestigious award, the All Around Wagon also received the

: This easel is educational, artistic, and hours of fun for children. The All Around Easel for Two inspires creativity in kids. The All Around Easel for Two won the Parents and children that tested the easel appreciated that many children could play with the toy at the same time.

We are honored by these awards and want to send a special thank you to The Noise on Toys, Play on Words, and the National Parenting Center.

Stay tuned for new Spring 2013 products hitting the shelves soon!

Time to Play has nominated the All Around Easel for Two and the Creative Cooks Kitchen for their 2012 People’s Play Awards. Time to Play travels the world discovering the newest toys, video games and entertainment products. Each year, Time to Play has the People’s Play Awards where consumers select the toys and games that their families are would enjoy receiving for the holidays. The Time to Play editorial team reviews and selects the nominees for each category. There are twenty product categories.

Both the All Around Easel for Two and Creative Cooks Kitchen came out fall 2012. In addition, the Creative Cooks Kitchen was already featured in a at TimetoPlayMag.com. These products feature role play and creative play which is essential for a little one’s development.

Here are the awesome features of the All Around Easel for Two:

• Vertical writing surfaces encourage development of proper writing skills and creativity too!
• Features a chalk board on one side and a magnetized dry erase board on the other
• Includes a clip to secure artwork, two removable and easy to clean storage bins and a 94 piece foam magnet letter & symbol kit

Check out the fantastic features of the :

• The colorful backsplash, farmhouse sink and working shutters are a perfect backdrop for creative play!
• Electronic Stove top, microwave and phone create a realistic experience
• Kids feed their pets and empty the recycling bin, just like at home!
• The large storage in the fridge and freezer along with cabinets and bins make for easy clean-up!
• Several kids can play together in this spacious kitchen, cooking up their latest concoctions
• Includes a 39 piece accessory set

Make sure to vote for the All Around Easel for Two and Creative Cooks Kitchen by clicking .

What do you think of the All Around Easel for Two and Creative Cooks Kitchen?

July 4^th Arts & Crafts

Arts and crafts projects can be messy. So when deciding a project, make sure you focus on a project that does not require a lot of materials and is not tedious. Either take the project outside or designate an area inside, such as an , to complete the project. The faster it is to create the craft, the better because the children will not become bored. The same goes for making delicious food.

Here at im”çŸșapp, we discovered an arts and crafts project from FamilyFun Magazine, which will be a ton of fun for the kids. The will be the perfect centerpiece at your July 4^th party. You could even place it at the kids’ table. It is a cute idea because the kids can create the face they want on their robot and take pride in making a helpful centerpiece for their party guests.

Have your little one assist in stirring the batter or adding the sprinkles. If your little one is too young to assist you in the kitchen, bring their into your kitchen so they can “pretend” bake alongside you.

Additional holiday treats:

(Familyfreshcooking.com)
(Recipe.com)
(Familyfun.go.com)

Have a great 4^th of July! If you decide to do a project or baking activity with your children or grandchildren, send some pictures to thestep2team@gmail.com and we will share them on Facebook!

Check out more craft ideas and recipes on the im”çŸșapp “” Pinterest board.

Here are a few reasons why both boys and girls can benefit from a play kitchen:

• A toy kitchen set usually comes with many elements, including play food, a play microwave, a stove, play pots, kitchen utensils, storage for the play sets, ovens and oven timers. Using these various tools and accessories can spur children to think about what they want to make for dinner, which child is going to do the grocery shopping, who going to set the table for dinner, and what side dishes are going with the main entrĂ©e. They may want to decide what to serve for dessert and how long it needs to be in the oven to bake.
• Kitchen sets for kids are also a great way to entertain kids while adults are preparing a meal. Because kids often want to mimic what their father, mother, or grandmother is doing, a children’s play kitchen is the perfect diversion.
• Pretend play that involves an element of work is also advantageous. Because a ready meal does not magically appear on the table, play kitchens help children thinking about what goes into the preparation of food. After all, someone has to make a grocery list, go out and buy the ingredients, fix the meal, and clean up afterwards. If more than one child is using the play kitchen, they must work together and decide who is doing which tasks. They can also ‘pretend entertain’ and have guests over for dinner. This can potentially teach them the importance of hospitality and how to treat guests when they come over.
• Gone are the days when a woman’s place was in the kitchen. Today, men and women often share the responsibility of cooking and food preparation. Or perhaps the man might be more inclined to cook and experiment with ingredients, while the woman enjoys the more scientific process of baking. Interest in food, flavors and seasonality is not limited to women; some of the world’s best chefs are male. Play kitchens are wonderful gifts for boys and girls.+
• Don’t believe our play kitchens are the best? Lisa L. can vouch for us ~ “I looked all over for the perfect play kitchen for my girls and when I saw the Lifestyle Grand Walk in Kitchen, I knew it was the one. We have been very pleased with the kitchen and have even recommended it to friends.”