B a r b a r a s h e r I l L u s t r a t I o n s b y r a L p h

V
A R I A T I O N S
Find variations any time you go into a store that is not a toy store. Look
around and think, “Would my child enjoy playing with this object (and
would she be safe)?” For example, I saw some little toddler socks on sale
that were cheap and colorful. I bought them, filled them with sand, knot-
ted off the top and drew a face on the toe. They were great for throwing at
targets and for an easy game of toss.
W
H A T
’
S
B
E I N G
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E A R N E D
There are a thousand chances to be creative and imaginative with
these materials, and they all encourage long periods of focused and open
attention.
Creativity is the open ability to look at many aspects of familiar mate-
rials and put them together in new ways. Imagination is the ability of the
mind to conceive ideas or to form images of something not present to the
senses or within the actual experience of the person involved.
A child who focuses on decorating her cape with ribbons, cotton balls,
and bits of costume jewelry and pretends to be the Grand Wizard is being
both creative and imaginative!
Games for 3- to 6-Year-Olds
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Sounds Right
With just a little preparation, you can play this game that enhances your
little one’s attention and hearing skills. All you need are some film canisters
and some household materials.
T
Y P E O F
A
T T E N T I O N
E
N C O U R A G E D
Focused
M
A T E R I A L S
8 empty film canisters (free at photo developing stores) or clean,
empty, opaque pill bottles or toilet paper tubes, with the ends cov-
ered with tape and paper or foil
4 small household items, such as salt, rice, coins, buttons, pasta, sand,
pebbles, or dried peas, lentils, or beans