The Fisher Price Play Kitchen Makes Learning Fun For Kids

Most boys and girls enjoy playing with kitchen toys, and while they are busy having fun, they are also learning valuable life skills. You will often find a Fisher Price play kitchen in the play area of a kindergarten classroom, daycare or other educational setting for preschool children. Educational professionals use kitchen playsets as an opportunity to teach children about the four basic food groups and the importance of preparing healthy meals. Kitchen play items can also be used to teach young children math skills. For example, a teacher or daycare provider can have children set a table for four, counting out four sets of plates, forks, cups, etc.

Playing With Your Child At Home

Children can benefit from having their own Fisher Price play kitchen at home. They love to pretend they are cooking, serving dinner and washing the dishes. While preparing a pretend meal for their playmates, siblings, parents or even stuffed animals, they are enhancing their social skills by practicing how to interact with others. This is the perfect time for parents to teach their child about manners and to help them to learn when to say please, thank you and your welcome. Parents should supply their child with plenty of play food, dishes and utensils, so they can have the opportunity to act out a variety of different scenarios during playtime. Most kids love to have a few items from around the house for their kitchen. Add an empty dish soap container or a cereal box to make them feel like they are in charge of a real kitchen just like mom and dad.

The Importance of Group Play

It is important for young children to learn how to get along well with their peers before they enter into kindergarten. Children who have not received enough socialization may not know how to share, and may yell or push their classmates when they get upset. Bring your child to organized playgroups, parks or other indoor and outdoor play areas so they can play with other children around the same age and become acquainted with appropriate social rules. Indoor play centers are excellent places for children to practice the skills they need for kindergarten. Encourage your child to join other kids who are playing with a Fisher Price play kitchen, dollhouse or other group activity, so they can practice sharing toys and taking turns. A toddler can begin to learn how to interact with others while a preschooler can enhance both their social and creative skills.

The Benefits of Creativity

Highly creative children who act out the fairy tales or stories they have read or heard tend to have large vocabularies. While playing with their Fisher Price play kitchen, and holding a pretend picnic or Dora the Explorer party, a child is learning that different choices lead to different results. This helps to make them better decision makers and problem solvers. Children with healthy imaginations also tend to cope better during challenging situations. One study conducted at Case Western Reserve University showed that young children who are highly imaginative continue to be creative and exhibit good problem solving skills as they grow older. Parents can help their child by doing their best to encourage plenty of imaginative play each day.