Dr. Toy: After School Fun
Our society seems to be based on the need for instant gratification. The media is filled with this message. If we want our children to develop into responsible, successful adults, they need to learn about delayed gratification.
After school children like to do a lot of different things. Often, homework is not one of them. You can help them learn valuable lessons about delayed gratification by providing something fun to do after their homework is completed. A great thing to do is take them on or arrange for trips or special activities. When you can't do special activities use these suggestions for sitters or for the times you are home with your child.
Puzzles, blocks, or building toys such as Legos offer fun and learning. Like games, they challenge the child, develop thinking strategy and are a great way to have fun. Blocks made by Didax can be used for homework, keep track of chores and much more. You will discover many ways little blocks can help your child learn the value of math.
If your child is curious about science and wants to learn more telescopes, microscopes and computers offer a wide range of stimulating activities. Be sure to review the proper usage of sensitive equipment of any kind with your child so they will be prepared to use it correctly. You can obtain pointers from Tasco on the care of delicate equipment.
A good variety of interesting, fun and challenging after school activities are included in these products selected from Dr. Toy's 100 Best:
Didax Educational Resources
Ready for Math Kit
4-8 yrs.
$19.95
1-800-458-0024
Helps your
child understand numbers with 100 interlocking, counting cubes and clever activity book.
Your child discovers the "Trip Around Town" approach to learning counting,
comparing, ordering and classifying.
Frank Schaffer Publications
My First Skills
3-7 yrs.
$14.95
1-800-421-5565
Four fun
filled learning experiences in one box including colors, shapes, alphabet and numbers with
12 easy to hold pieces along with suggested activities.
Learning Materials Workshop
Curvilinear
3-8 yrs.
$39.95
1-800-693-7164
This set offers
flexible, clear tubing along with blocks and dowels in natural wood and primary colors
that allow child to curve, twist and compare.
Tasco
Big Screen Microscope
8-12 yrs.
$99
1-305-591-3670
This model offers expanded
viewing or projection on a screen complete with slides and directions for proper usage
plus other tools.
Tyco
Magna Doodle 3-in-1 Play Center
3-8 yrs.
$30
1-800-FOR-TYCO
Great new play center
offers space for doodling, drawing and building. Three surfaces provide magic erase
screen, smooth desk and a sturdy play center with 12 colorful blocks.
Ohio Art
Faballoon Balloon Maker
8-12 yrs.
$26.93
1-419-636-3141
Fabulous balloons turn
into gifts, centerpieces or hanging decorations. Everything needed for 8 balloons plus
pumping unit, wand, decorating pen, shredded paper and a color creativity guide. Great for
birthdays.
Duncan
Pict-A-Gons
5-12 yrs.
$12.00
1-800-356-8396
Brightly colored interlocking
hexagonal plastic pieces fit together easily. This picture building set can be snapped
together to form pictures.
Creative Teaching Press
Learn to Read
4-8 yrs.
$12.95
1-800-444-4287
These books help
parents teach their child to learn math. They're designed to make learning the basics
easier.
Wild Planet
Megascope
5-10 yrs.
$18.00
1-800-247-6570
Great value for the young
naturalist ready to explore the outdoors. Combines telescope and microscope. Includes
collection bottles to closely examine (and then release) insects and other specimens.
Let's play!
