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JANUARY 2016 HOMES PLUS 7 (StatePoint) — From the nursery to the playroom, playtime should be safe and fun. But experts say that beyond these considera- tions, these spaces should incorporate elements that promote early childhood development. "Infancy and preschool years are a crucial time of children's lives, when they are developing new motor, cognitive, language and social skills," said Dr. Lise Eliot, early brain develop- ment expert and panel member at VTech, which specializes in electronic learning products for chil- dren. To encourage growth and enrich children's play expe- riences, Eliot and VTech offer these tips: ■ Include books in the playroom and read often to your child. Doing so will demonstrate well before the school years begin that reading is not just for class- room, but also a recreation- al activity that can and should be done for fun. Look ahead by adding books that will be age- appropriate in the future. ■ Development happens extremely rapidly, so seek out learning toys that grow with children. For example, the Sit-to-Stand Ultimate Alphabet Train, which teaches letters, numbers, colors and vocabulary, can be used for floor play or a ride on. Once babies are on their feet, it can be trans- formed into a walker or a wagon that can be pulled, helping to build motor skills. ■ Kids are never too young to develop an appre- ciation for music. Babies can start by playing with tambourines, maracas, toy keyboards and other fun musical toys. Child-sized instruments can improve hand-eye coordination and rhythm. ■ Create safe zones in your house where kids can have free rein to play and explore. "The more oppor- tunity children have for physical exertion and exploration, the better for the development of both their minds and bodies," Eliot said. ■ Foster language and social skills by spending time each day playing together. The interactions you share are key to cogni- tive and emotional develop- ment as well as social and emotional growth. Research has proven that early two-way conversa- tions with babies and young children are critical to their own speech and reading development. To encourage social skills and prepare young children for pre- school, set up play dates with friends. For more playful ideas, parenting tips and informa- tion about early childhood development, visit www.vtechkids.com/mile- stones. Creating a space to aid early child development Statepoint Creating a safe zone in your house can help encourage young children to explore and play.

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