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Stop by and say "hello" at Recess, the new blog of Constructive Playthings.

Graduation...Not Just for Seniors



This cake is the cream
of the crop...colorful
 and perfect for the occasion!

High school graduation is right around the corner, but what about the much-less-advertised preschool graduates who are about to cross the stage, flip their tassles, and get their diplomas? These young graduates may be smaller in size, but that doesn't mean their right of passage should be any less of an occassion. Check out these ideas great for gifts, the ceremony, or any post-graduation celebration!


 

 

White Cap & Gown
XX-11102

Our caps and gowns are currently on sale! We offer them in black and white. Click the picture to the left to see the full selection!








It's all in the details. Our sister site, US Toy, has some great party supplies too! Here are our recommendations:




Confetti Cannons (TU207)

Graduate Centerpiece (OD396)

Graduation Stickers (MX206)

Get those bodies moving!

Active play is so critical to children’s health, growth and development. Children’s brain development is directly related to moving their bodies.  Studies show exercise in children improves memory and spatial navigation.  The ideal physical play incorporates play with social interactions and problem solving.  As these connections develop, a child's fine and gross motor skills, socialization, personal awareness, language, creativity and problem solving are improved.

"Recess" and "outside time" are typically the most favorite time of the day for children.  During this time they run around with each other burning off energy, engage in conversations free of adult interruption, attempt new skills to challenge their bodies and minds, and master the skills they have already accomplished.  Studies show these experiences increase self-esteem, self-respect, and self-worth.  Children need playgrounds that challenge their skills and provide opportunities to learn new ones.  In turn, they encourage physical strength and mental strength.  Furthermore, it is important as teachers to view the outdoor playground as an extension of the classroom.  With this in mind, capitalizing on their “recess” or “outside time” provides children with the necessary experiences to develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills.   Professionals recognize the social skills that children develop on the playground become lifelong skill sets and are carried forward into their adulthood. Independent research concludes that playgrounds are among the most important environments for children outside the home. Most forms of play are essential for healthy development, but free, spontaneous play—the kind that occurs on playgrounds—is the most beneficial type of play.  We are so proud to offer a multitude of playground equipment and apparatus at Constructive Playthings.  We have featured some of our most popular exclusives to incorporate into an existing playground or utilize these practical pieces in your new playground design.


We know you are on a budget! Schools, daycares, and early childhood education programs are each watching their dollars. Respectively, we selected quality companion pieces for teachers and children to enhance “recess” and “outside time” without breaking the bank and still maintaining the spirit of the outdoor classroom.These educational products provide sensory stimulation, physical challenge, and enhance mental curiosity. Check these out and add them to your outdoor play space today!

                                                           

          

Kindergarten here I come! Or should we wait?

“Helping all children start school ready to learn is critical to their future success and to the well-being of society as a whole. Children who start school behind their peers are unlikely to catch up. Children who enter kindergarten with limited word reading skills are the most likely to develop later reading difficulties and require remedial education.”
-Research and Policy Committee of the Committee for Economic Development

This quote has the ability to instill shear panic, doesn’t it? It forces us to ask ourselves the tough questions. Have I done enough to prepare them? As educators and parents we are all too familiar with the debate of kindergarten readiness. Send him early, he’s the youngest of four, he has to be ready. Hold her back, she could benefit from another year of preschool, she is so shy. Elementary schools as well as federal programs like Head Start choose chronological age by a certain month to determine when it is time for kindergarten. This societal norm is a powerful source of anxiety for many teachers, parents and children.

This reality is obviously too complex to solve in this article, however there are a few things to know to help support your decision. When thinking about kindergarten readiness we can focus on four areas of development cognitive, language, physical, and social/emotional. Additionally, self-help skills are critical. Together all of these aspects can provide a glimpse of our children and a step closer to answering the burning question…Is he/she ready for kindergarten? If not, what can I do to narrow the gap?

Cognitive and Language Development incorporate thought process, problem solving skills, reading, reading comprehension, writing and imagination.

What to look for:

1. Are they interested in books and reading. Remember what reading means at this age. It includes making up stories using the pictures as their springboard, retelling a familiar story, holding the book and turning pages and making up tall tales that grow day by day with their imagination.
2. Writing is an important aspect; however a developmentally appropriate lens is imperative to guarantee joy and positive experiences for teachers, parents and the child. Know their first and last name and attempts to write them, identify some letters, some numbers, identify labels and signs in familiar places to them and pretend to write.

Physical Development includes both fine and large motor movement and mastery. Active play is inclusive to this as well. Studies show using their bodies enhances their brain development.

What to look for:

1. Draw with crayons, markers, and pencils with control and copy simple figures and shapes.
2. Put together puzzles; build structures with blocks, lincoln logs, tinker toys, and Legos.
3. Climb play structures, run, jump, and skip. Engage in organized activities like soccer, gymnastics and dance.

Social and Emotional Development is inclusive of mood management, self-awareness as well as the awareness of others thoughts and feelings, self-motivation, empathy, and cooperation with others.

What to look for:

1. An understanding of their feelings and the feelings or others. Know the difference between thinking, feeling and acting; and understanding their actions have consequences in terms of others' feelings.
2. The ability to handle and manage difficult feelings; control impulses; and handling anger constructively.
3. Listen to an adult and follow simple directions and sit still for short periods of time (20 minutes or less).
4. Set goals and persevere towards them with optimism and hope, even in the face of setbacks.
5. Put yourself "in someone else's shoes;” take someone else’s perspective; and show that you care.
6. Make friends, handle friendships; resolve conflicts; cooperate; and collaborative with others to learn.

Self-Help Skills
Taking care of personal needs is not only practical; it’s a sign of independence and growth. The experience of independence provides opportunities for increased self-esteem and self-worth by increasing their sense of pride in themselves and their accomplishment.
What to look for:

1. Use bathroom without assistance and wash hands.
2. Eat without help, using utensils.
3. Dress themselves and work snaps, buttons, zippers and tie shoes.
4. Recognize their belongings (such as a jacket or backpack).
5. Clean up after themselves. Pick up toys and return them to their correct storage place.

At Constructive Playthings, we have products specifically designed to support teachers and parents helping children be ready for kindergarten. These products are a companion with your individual assessment. We know they provide the chance to enrich their experiences, increase their confidence and provide the opportunity for mastery.

Manipulative Kit for Light Table

Hands-on Standards Set

Kindergarten Transition Backpack

Getting Ready for School File Folder Games



Light Tables: Education Illumination

Parents are concerned about their children receiving the best education. They want them to learn their numbers, alphabet, shapes, colors and so on in the best manner possible. Luckily there is a piece of furniture that helps aid in a child’s education. A light table is not meant for easy lifting. It actually assists in a child’s learning process because they will truly enjoy the experience of a light table.

The light box comes with two light tubes that distributes even light throughout the clear, acrylic tabletop. There is no need to worry about spending too much time on the light table, because it will never overheat and burn your child’s fingers. It stays at an even temperature throughout the learning process. It even has a carrying handle so you can easily share the experience with friends.

Included in the Light Box is a Light Box Accessory Set, with 147 colorful tiles, 136 compatible bricks and two tri-color viewers. There are all kinds of accessories to assist in the learning evolution of your child. The light table provides the ultimate experience to let the imagination run wild and expand your child’s sense of wonder.

“Redshirting” Begins At A Young Age

At this time of the year, the push is on to “round up” children for kindergarten. State Education departments and individual private schools set the age requirement for starting kindergarten. Although those dates can very by months, the great debate begins as to whether those with the youngest birthdays (and those closest to the cut-off dates) are ready to begin kindergarten.

The term “redshirting”, taken from the sports arena to designate a freshmen tagged to sit out a year before playing, has made its way to the kindergarten arena. Children, especially boys, are being redshirted, or held back from starting kindergarten, in order to make them one of the oldest in their class, instead of one of the youngest.

It would be handy if a giant crystal ball existed tht could tell parents whether it would benefit their child to hold them back a year. But judging an entire childhood by looking at its first four to five years is difficult. With some children, the decision is easy. The maturity level, social skills, or cognition is lacking. Holding those children back a year to mature and develop just makes sense. But what if the child is your average developing child for their age? The decision becomes more clouded.

What are the benefits to delaying the start of kindergarten? Starting a child at age 6, rather than 5, allows them to be one of the oldest and possibly the smartest in their class. They won’t have to compete with other children that are months older. Being a year older than peers suggests those children should be the leaders in their class. This applies not only to the kindergarten year but in the rest of the school life as a whole. That added year also gives another year of size growth. So not only now but later, when sports teams are formed, gives those children a year’s height and growth above their peers.

What, then, are the consequences of “redshirting” your child? Data shows that nearly a quarter of kindergarteners start at age 6. To not hold back those youngest children means that now they will be competing with children up to 18 months older. Studies have shown behavioral problems in children who are older and may be bored in classes that are just too easy for them. Some research suggests there are more dropouts from children who are held out. But none of the research is wide-spread or overwhelming for either side.

Educators weigh in on both sides of the debate. Some suggest holding back all of the youngest children, including those with birthdays up to three months before the cut-off date. Others advocate starting all children old enough for kindergarten and deciding at the end of kindergarten whether the child is ready for the first grade. Starting children based solely on their birthdate may be the only option for low income parents, who may not have the luxury to pay fees for another year of preschool. Federally funded programs, such as Head Start, aren’t available once a child becomes age eligible for kindergarten.

Spring has arrived and so has the “round up” of youngsters for kindergarten. It might be best just to judge each child on their own merits. Look at attention span, motor skills, socialization, overall behavior, independence, and an interest in learning. Is the child curious, inquisitive, and able to take care of themselves? Odds are, the struggle to decide may be more dramatic than these young children’s kindergarten year. Let’s hope so.

Preschool Tumbling Mat

Preschoolers have endless energy and love to move--run, roll, crawl, scoot, slide, scrabble, wrestle, and on and on until they are worn out.  A Preschool Tumbling Mat provides endless opportunities for little ones to release their energy without getting hurt.  The activity mat helps contain the active play to one area, particularly helpful in a crowded classroom or even in a home.  The preschool tumbling mat is designed for rolling, doing summersaults, and practicing some of the tricks the budding gymnasts have seen watching the Olympics or other gymnastic events.  This is even a save place for little boys to wrestle, keeping them from rolling into furniture or other barriers where they would get hurt.  The mat serves to designate a specified area for floor play, whether it is gymnastics, wrestling, or just rolling around.
     
The mat measures four feet by five feet and is big enough for two children at a time to exercise and demonstrate their tumbling skills.  The royal blue cover is heavy; sixteen gauge vinyl, which can be wiped clean.  The solid foam fill is one inch thick, soft enough to help protect the children from bruises and scratches.  Both ends have handles which make it easy to move the mat or to hang in on the wall when not in use.
   
  Research reveals that preschoolers can learn and improve their motor skills through practice.  Gross motor activity increases strength, balance, and coordination, all skills that make for a healthier, well-developed child.


Since many health experts have determined that children face an obesity epidemic, activity and exercise is important in very early childhood and throughout life.  If children learn how much fun exercise can be, they will choose to lead a more active lifestyle.  In addition, if they develop strong muscles and coordination, they will be more apt to participate in physical activities because they will be skilled and find these activities fulfilling.


Exercise also increases metabolic rate, important for children and adults.


     Drawing children away from TV and video games will increase their chances for an active healthy lifestyle.  These habits develop early in life, so it is imperative for schools, daycare facilities, and homes to provide fun, safe physical activity for toddlers and preschoolers.  Instead of scolding children for being active, requiring them to sit down in time out, or sending them to their room to be quiet, why not offer safe, manageable physical activity?