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Dr. Toy: What's Right for Older Kids
Between age nine and eleven children experience rapid social maturation and physical growth. They are in transition. No longer so young their interests grow more sophisticated.Despite the changes they still need to have a good balance of activities at home, school and play. Children will expand their talents and interests if they are encouraged. At this age, friends are a significant influence on a child. However, with your encouragement their talents and interests will expand. The older child likes to make things, work on projects and see results. Gift ideas include hobbies, crafts, or construction sets. They like computers, cameras, typewriters and scientific materials. Other possible gifts include sports and creative arts equipment, stuffed animals and collections. Also consider books, board and video games, and tapes. This is a time for your child to discover and expand their interests and talents. They can pursue music, art, dance, and writing. The child's ability to concentrate for longer periods of time will be reflected in their interests after school. Provide time for them to spend alone and be productive. Children will find products by the following companies interesting: Alex, CASIO, Discovery Channel Multimedia, Duncan, Hero Arts Creative Rubber Stamps, Philips Media, University Games, Wild Planet and Yes! Entertainment. Children appreciate positive alternatives. When children are constructively occupied they are happier, more satisfied and more productive at home and in school. Reading, playing games, flying a kite, throwing a Frisbee and doing a hobby help make your child smarter, more social and more self confident. Just as friends and individual pursuits are important, as they grow older children need to interact with their parents. So find some fun group activities to do together that allow everyone to win. Play is the smart way to learn. Through play children learn best .
Let's play!
(c) l995, 1996, 1997 Stevanne Auerbach, PhD San Francisco, CA.
This article may not under any circumstances be resold or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author.
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