When you're raising kids, it's only normal to have a cluttered house sometimes. We totally understand all that parenthood entails. However, clutter shouldn't be tolerated no matter what. So where do we even begin to clear up the play area? Simple answer: minimize their toys. Less toys means less clutter. Don't give them too much to play with at a time.

How does clutter really affect your child? 

It causes them stress 

Clutter fills up your child's brain with a lot of stimuli, causing their mind to work harder to process everything that they see around them. This causes a distraction from what they are supposed to be doing. When they have too much unaccomplished work, they will get frustrated and feel inadequate. These negative feelings ultimately lead them to be stressed out. Also, an unclean environment hinders them from being able to relax--something they should be doing when they're feeling even a tad bit stressed out. 

It encourages materialism 

Having too much toys all cluttered around in their area of play imposes that belief that your kids can have the power to obtain everything they want. It gives them that false perception that having too much posession is a normal part of life and this outlook might be carried over as they grow older. They might adapt that desire to get too much of every material thing they have their eyes on. 

It blocks their creativity

Art is supposed to be free and messy. Is that really true? Contrary to popular belief, the best environment for a child to have their freedom to create and express themselves through art is in a place that is clutter-free. They are more capable to think and brainstorm when they can feel a sense of clarity in their surroundings. 

It affects their confidence 

Would your child really be proud and willing to have their friends over when their home is a mess? Yes, having too many things to play with might be fun at first but eventually the kids will start complaining about not having space to move around. At the end of the day, they're still kids and they can't be stationary for long periods of time. They need to move. 

Do you agree with these points? Do you agree that minimalism is a great approach to how your kids play? 

Play is all about having fun while learning! What makes playing so great is that whether it's organized or unstructured, its possibilities for fun and learning are still limitless. That said, there are several types of play that your children can do so they can better focus on their strengths and abilities.

See which type of play suits them best and take advantage of it as they try to further develop their skills. 

Constructive Play 

This type of play is all about teaching the kids how to build structures and manipulate materials in order to fit together. As a result, their cognitive skills are being used, challenging their ability to figure out strong structures and how to make use of any given material at hand as a piece of a whole. Blocks, Legos, and magnetic tiles are synonymous with this type of play. Also, even when kids are trying to assemble the roads for their toy cars or building a fort out of pillows, they're already able to adapt this type of play into their activities. 

Physical Play 

From throwing a ball to climbing safe structures to riding a bike, physical play is an important activity because it develops your child's coordination, balance, gross motor skills, and fine motor skills. It's a way for them to release all the energy they have bottled up inside so don't hold them back! Yes, it can be exhausting to look after them, but making use of their whole body and stored energy to play is supposed to be a vital part of their childhood.

Creative and Symbolic Play 

Unleash your child's imagination, creativity, and ability to express themselves as they embark on innovative activities while playing. Let them think outside the box as they do activities like arts and crafts, singing, acting, dancing, telling jokes. These things are important for them to be able to themselves and explore and process their experiences, ideas, and emotions, in a fun and engaging way. 

Fantasy or Dramatic Play

Similar to Creative Play, Fantasy Play allows children to stretch their imagination and use everything that they've learned thus far (vocabulary, numbers, etc.) to express concepts as they assume "real world" roles. Through make-believe, they can re-enact situations that enable them to make sense of their emotions. We suggest you also take time to talk to them after they play, reflecting on why they chose to re-enact a certain situation or play a certain character. Talk about their dreams, what they want to be when they grow up, what they have observed about their surroundings. 
Which type of play does your child enjoy best?

Do you think this will be an opportunity for them to figure out their strengths and what they want to do as they grow older? 

It's all too common for kids to make-believe when they play. At first, it may seem like it's not ideal for helping them get more in touch with reality, doing an imaginative play is actually a vital component for their development.

These are some ways your child can benefit from using this style of playing. 

It encourages independence and creativity 

When your child does pretend play, they have an opportunity to create stories and explore new ideas on their own. They also have the freedom to make their own rules, instead of simply following pre-set ones from other forms of playing. The more that they connect to the reality of the world around them, the more they are able to incorporate what they learn into their playtime. The way they merge the reality they know into their imaginative play encourages them too to become more creative. 

It develops their social and language skills 

This type of play is all about communication. The more that your child uses their words to come up with their story as they play, the more they get to hone their language skills and gain confidence along the way. Try to listen to them when they play--you'll get surprised by the number of new words they'll be using! When they're playing with others, they also get to become more social. Their interaction with others teaches them about important lessons like sharing, taking turns, and working with other individuals. They get to understand that these things are important in building relationships with others. 

It enhances their physical development 

Aside from requiring verbal skills, pretend play is also very much a physical activity. It's a great way to keep your kids active and help them develop their motor skills. Evidence even suggests that role play involving more physical actions (as rowdy as they can get--provided that it's well monitored and doesn't go far) can help the development of a child's frontal lobe which is responsible for regulating behavior. This is because the cause and effect of their rough actions can help them realize when an action is appropriate and when it isn't. 

Does your child love imaginative play? How do you encourage them to continue with that style of playing? 

Bring out the board games and give your child the chance to enhance their social skills. Board games are full of so many opportunities for children to practice social skills they will use out in society.

These are some things your child can benefit from as they enjoy playing with board games! 

It teaches about waiting and patience

Most board games involve having to take turns to make a move and get progress throughout the game. Your child is then introduced to the concept that they have to make use of their turn and then wait for others to finish theirs also before getting another shot to play. It teaches them that the game isn't just about them but also about the peers who are playing along.

It helps with controlling emotions

Board games give children the opportunity to work on their emotional awareness. Considering the consequences of their actions, enjoying a win and accepting a defeat, making tough choices, listening and communicating effectively, to being a good sport, board games challenge a child's ability to tap into their emotions as a human being who is being prepared for the world.

It boosts their language skills that are necessary to become social beings 

If your child is a reluctant reader, board games can be a sneaky way to teach them how to read many helpful words and sentences. It also expands their vocabulary. Let them read aloud the instructions or mechanics of the game and they won't be as hesitant and timid to follow as they would if they were reading off of a book. That's because in their mind, they're only playing and having fun.

It helps them value teamwork 

Adjusting to teamwork is a critical requirement to honing one's social skills, and board games are certainly a good way to encourage kids of different ages to team up and work together. Your child will realize that they are a part of a bigger puzzle and that they need to do their part in order for the whole puzzle to find its completion. It involves respecting other people and realizing that more often than not, every single person can function better by working and getting along with someone else. 

Your child can enjoy fun, social skills-boosting board games as a member of the Kiddos Toys Club! Know more about how to become an official member! 

Play is one of the most important aspects of a child’s life; a pivotal part of their growth. Aside from their happiness, there are many benefits of play for children that you, as a parent, should know about. Keep reading to learn about some of these benefits.

Play keeps your kids healthy and fit 

Young kids who have a chance to physically play tend to lead more active lifestyles into adulthood. Studies show that even playing for one hour per day as a child has led to a more than 40% drop in chances of being overweight by the end of the school year. 

Play is more than meets the eye

Play can be both simple and complex. It looks like it's just something done for fun but it has many facets: symbolic, sociodramatic, functional, and games with rules-–to name just a few. Even researchers are constantly impressed by its many aspects: how children learn through play, how outdoor play impacts children’s health, the effects of screen time on play, to the need for recess in the school day.

Play is your child's context for learning

Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through simply sitting down and writing on worksheets. For example, in playing restaurant, children can have fun, yes. But at the same time, in that pretend play, they can also practice writing and drawing with their menus; hone their math skills with setting prices and taking orders. Play provides rich learning opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem.

Families bond better when playing 

When you play tag, toss a Frisbee, or join in a dance party, you're creating memories your child will treasure someday--memories of times you spent laughing and simply enjoying each other's company. One of the big benefits of family time for kids is being allowed to be in charge. Kids love to feel a sense of power and mastery, so it's critical to let them take the lead when you play.

Encourage your children's time for playing by providing them with awesome toys they'll enjoy! KIDDOS Toys Club gives you a unique opportunity for this. As a member of the club, you get to receive monthly bags of toys from award-winning brands. But the best part is that you can just return them once your kids are over with playing with them! No clutter in the house and your kids are constantly entertained and learning! Join the KIDDOS Toys Club today! 

Did you know that the opportunity to play with musical toys before they can even walk or talk can help benefit the developmental growth of your child?

Here are some reasons why you must make musical toys a part of your child's play routine. 

It speeds up brain development

Music appears to accelerate brain development in young children, particularly in the areas of the brain responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception and reading skills. Likewise, music can be responsible for the formation of an accelerated exchange of information between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The processes of perception, recognition, thinking, and decision making are possible only through the interaction of two regions, each of which has its specialization. 

It boosts cognitive and sensory skills 

It is thought that the patterns and rhythms of music help the brain to become faster and more efficient at transmitting information. Babies and toddlers who are exposed to music perform better in areas such as language development, speech, listening and reading skills.

It helps with language development 

With music instruments, your little one is flooded with songs and rhymes that provide the opportunity to imitate both rhythm, pitch and syllables even before they are able to make formal speech sounds. You can try singing songs with sign language and easy actions too! The symbols, gestures and eye-to-eye contact involved in signing with your baby provide a strong foundation for his or her language development.

It's built upon gross and fine motor skills

Using a variety of instrument sizes and types, gives them the ability to improve their physical skills in gross and fine motor skills. For instance, banging on a drum helps build gross motor skills, while making use of the fingers to play a toy piano helps with fine motor skills.

It encourages self-expression 

The little ones don’t always have the vocabulary they need to express themselves and can get frustrated when they are unable to verbalize their feelings. Musical toys give them an opportunity to express however they are feeling in the moment and can help release any pent-up energy. Not to mention, they get a whole lot of fun from it! 
What kind of musical toys do you want your kids to try?

Check out our music-inspired featured toys from our partner brands! Your child can enjoy these and more when you sign up as a member of the KIDDOS Toys Club! 

Chosen to help develop skills like fine and gross motor skills, balance, socialization (and more!), toys designed for children with special needs are incredibly fun and functional in meeting a child's specifications.

Sensory Toys 

Children with special needs are often drawn to items in the environment that have a sensory component. A sensory toy or item is one that stimulates a specific sense in one or more ways. This can be helpful for a child with special needs, as their sensory systems often crave certain input or sensory stimulation in order to feel organized or calm. 

Building Toys

Basic blocks and other building toys are incredibly versatile and can grow with your child. Your child might start by simply lining them up but can easily upgrade to building structures, tunnels, roads, and more as they get older. Most importantly, these basic toys are ideal for building symbolic play skills and social collaboration—especially when you play along with them. 

Water Toys 

Water play releases energy, it can be both invigorating or relaxing for young children. It increases their ability to concentrate on one activity when presented as a tranquil and repetitive activity. Gentle water play allows them to unwind, order their thoughts and relax. Other than that, it will increase their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through actions like pouring, squirting, scrubbing, stirring and squeezing. It also encourages role play and crucial social skills like cooperation and sharing.

Puzzles 

Puzzles are fun, challenging, inexpensive, and readily available. It can help with your child's independence and confidence. While they may get frustrated from time to time, you can help them keep trying and persistence, as you know, is a very valuable lesson for anyone. Finishing a puzzle certainly gives a huge boost to their self-confidence and self-esteem too! 

Art Supplies 

There is perhaps no better way to introduce children to what they can do than by encouraging exploration of the arts. Art is healing and meditative for children with special needs, inspiring a different kind of space for free and creative expression. When you provide them art supplies and give them time for arts, they gain self-confidence and an ability to work from part-to-whole.

Sensory play is any activity that activates one or multiple senses, and all kinds of play have the potential to become a sensory activity. There are many toys available to encourage sensory stimulation and development with your baby. Different colors, textures and sounds that are prevalent in your baby's toys will help them to grow more and more each day.

Introducing the right toys into your baby's playtime is certainly essential!

It supports cognitive development 

Sensory toys help bridge nerve connections for developing brains. New and frequent experiences create connections that improve a baby's ability to do more complex learning activities. Moreover, the use of sensory material creates hands-on, self-directed, and self-centered play, and it encourages discovery and development. This approach appeals to children who have different learning and thinking styles.

It helps with calming and mindful exercises 

Babies can often become easily overstimulated, anxious, or frustrated. In that sense, sensory toys are great for calming your little one.  After some sensory games, they generally become calmer, and sometimes even sleepy. A great example of this is water play during bathtime! You may have noticed that after a bath, your little one is especially tired and calm. Along with other types of sensory activities for babies, in general, sensory play helps to regulate discomfort, anxiety, restlessness, and agitation. Sensory play is a great pre-bedtime activity as well!

It enhances your child's memory 

Like most skills, memory is best honed through repeated activities. By interacting with different textures, smells, and even tastes from sensory toys, your little one benefits from sensory play learning outcomes such as building both cognitive and motor memories.

It teaches about solving problems 

Babies love to squish, pull, pour, stir, tap, rub, push, sniff, listen to, transport things--things one can do with sensory toys. And these are activities they can continue to do as they get older.

Have you tried sensory activities for your baby? What benefits have you noticed?