1. Play is what children do to make sense of the world around them and to practice roles. Experts say that children should be allowed to direct their own play, explore issues, and in turn develop their passions and come to terms with their fears.
2. Pretending is how children think things out and discriminate between real and imaginary. When parents help children pretend, they assist in the development of their children's social strengths, emotional stability, and overall intelligence.
3. Children love to play house, reenacting family and the roles of each member. Play kitchens offer the options needed to set up an imaginary house - to expand on their play possibilities, add accessories to play kitchens.
4. Add colorful plastic pots and pans and dishes to toddler play kitchens, and they'll create anything from imaginary soup to a teddy bear tea party. Make sure the items you select for toddlers are non-toxic and free of small parts that can be swallowed. Select a material that can withstand routine dipping into hot, soapy water for a healthier environment
5. What could be more educational than an accessory package that introduces children to ethnic foods? On evenings when you are preparing Chinese or Italian food, the same menu can be prepared in the play kitchen for a better understanding and appreciation of different foods.
6. More parents are putting emphasis on healthy eating and fewer trips through the fast food lines. Purchase healthy play food accessories that introduce children to the 5 basic food groups, teaching them about nutrition from an early age; some sets even include a children's activity guide.
7. The play kitchen reinforces family roles and responsibilities, but there are other avenues to explore - add grocery sets to your play kitchen accessories list. Children set up pretend markets where they go to purchase items to stock their play kitchen cabinets, while learning about nutritious selections.
8. Even a play kitchen needs appliances: toasters have push-button action for pop-up toast, pretend butter, and a butter knife; children can whip up pretend smoothies with blenders that include pretend fruit, spoon, and a set of cups. These appliances come in eye-catching colors and are made of safe plastic.
9. Playing house is not complete without toy brooms, mops, and vacuum cleaners to teach kids how to keep a tidy kitchen. Add a play ironing board and iron, and their day will be packed with pretend chores.
10. Older children will love having real foods like cookies, crackers, raisins, and small boxes of cereal in their play kitchen cabinets. This is not a good practice for toddlers who put everything in their mouths and might not be capable of distinguishing play food items from the real food.
