Articles and Tips on Toys and Play from Scholastic	New articles posted each month!
	For more than 85 years, our parent company, Scholastic Inc., has created quality products and services that educate, entertain and motivate children and inform parents. These articles are from their award-winning website: www.scholastic.com. Note: These articles are most relevant for parents of younger children (ages 3-5) but offer insight and ideas appropriate for older children as well.
	5 Musts For Raising an Art-Lover from Parent & Child Magazine Ways to help your child develop an interest and appreciation in art at home. The Importance of Pretend Play By Ellen Booth Church Young children learn by imagining and doing. The process of pretending builds skills in many essential developmental areas. Trucks, Trucks, Trucks! By Megan McKinstry When your child discovers a new passion, he’s driving toward learning. So hop on for the ride. Make the Most of Make-Believe: Choosing Toys that Are Just Right  Inspire her self-expression by providing an assortment of goods that give her the freedom to let her mind take her anywhere she wants to go. Why Play Outdoors? By Eric Strickland Get outside! Your child will not only build her physical prowess, she'll boost social skills too. All About Blocks By Ellen Booth Church Have you ever wondered why blocks are such an important part of any good early childhood classroom? Read on! Four Toys that Promote Diversity from Parent & Child Magazine Encourage exploration of many cultures by providing pretend-play props that span the globe. Five Ways Toys Help Your Child Learn from Parent & Child Magazine Toys aren't all fun and games — they're critical for your child's healthy development! The Benefits of Board Games By Alvin Rosenfeld Playing games with your kids is a perfect way to spend time together — and build learning skills at the same time. Best Toys for a 3-Year-Old By Ellen Booth Church This is the time in life when children start to develop and strengthen their creative and critical thinking skills… Playing to Learn By Deborah J. Leong Ph.D and Elena Bodrova Ph.D Understand and promote high-level, language-building play. The Power of Pretend Play by Adele M. Brodkin, Ph.D. Young children's capacity and eagerness to engage in increasingly complex pretend play are vital signs of healthy growth — emotionally, socially, and cognitively