Playing is a serious business for children! It is about so much more than just having fun or staying busy. One of the most important things that happens when kids play is that they are building the foundations of the life skills that will help them grow into healthy and productive teens and adults.
A teacher's top skill-building toys from Melissa & Doug
As a kindergarten teacher, some of my favorite toys for building life skills are:
1. Magnetic Responsibility Chart
Life skill: Establishing Routines
Why I love it: Having strong routines is important for child development, and also for building success as an adult. The Magnetic Responsibility Chart helps kids remember to do things like brush their teeth and load the dishwasher in a fun way as they earn reward magnets when they complete each task--turning mundane tasks into a game!
Life Skill: Collaborating and working well with others
Why I love it: Pretend play is the BEST way for kids to practice getting along with others and problem solving. Playing through the scenarios they create together and working through potential disagreements helps them develop those life-long collaboration skills that are necessary in school and future careers.
Life Skill: Innovation and Creativity
Why I love it: Not only are these blocks vibrant and colorful, but there are endless ways to use them. They are great for free play, but one of my favorite ways to use this in my kindergarten classroom is to give my students challenges. I like to give them an idea such as “build a rocket ship” or “use the blocks to create a person or animal.” For older kids, you can add to the challenge by setting a timer or restricting the number of blocks they can use. You could give them other types of building materials to use--don’t be afraid to mix them up! The more options they have, the more creative they can be!
4. Super Smile Dentist Play Set
Life Skill: Practicing Healthy Habits
Why I love it: Let’s face it--bedtime/morning routines can be a struggle sometimes! This toy helps children understand the importance of brushing their teeth while they play! It may also help build excitement about visiting the dentist for those kids with a bit of anxiety in that situation. They could even bring the toy along with them for the dentist to use to help explain the process of teeth cleaning.
5. Shape Sorting Cube or for more of a challenge, Take Along Sorting Barn
Life Skill: Persistence
Why I love it: I often see kids getting upset or embarrassed when they get something wrong. It takes a lot of teaching and reteaching to help kids understand that mistakes can be a GOOD thing because it is an opportunity to learn something new. Playing with toys like this from a young age encourages kids to keep trying until they get it right.
Check out other toys that can help develop life skills like these here!
