Great Toys!

A great toy celebrates a child's imagination.  Not Pixar's, not Disney's, not Mattel's.  I developed curriculum from the book "Simplicity Parenting" by Kim John Payne last year.  I highly recommend the book.  There is so much great information in it to guide parents, especially as they foster play.  I often use this story to illustrate the difference between playing with a scripted toy and a non-scripted toy.  Emma has been coming to ECFE for years.  Emma loves dolls and enjoys checking them out of our toy lending library.  If Emma plays with a "Dora, the Explorer" doll, you will see Emma play the show.  Dora comes with a script and kids recreate the last episode they saw.  Emma loves one doll in particular in our library.  She has named her Marissa and she "adopts" her whenever she gets the chance.  Emma has created Marissa's story, where she lives, how old she is and her whole family history. Emma is the director of her own play. When a child is in charge of the story, you will find quality play that develops their imagination....a wonderful thing! What makes Marissa special is the fact that she has no show, no clothing line, no accessories.  She is a plain, beautiful, generic doll and Emma loves her!