Toys do not need to have bells and whistles to entertain them. Let them entertain themselves. Simple, quality toys lend themselves to more creative, imaginative play.
Studies show that children with an active imagination who engage in pretend play are happier, healthier, and mentally healthier.
Children utilize play as a tool to understand the big, confusing world around them, to act out scenarios, to escape from reality, to make sense of everything they cannot control.
Let them play. Let them be little. If you need to schedule time for them to just play, do that. Even better, get down on the floor with them and make funny voices for the toys, but allow them to "lead" the play. Let them guide where it goes. You can ask questions like, "what should we do next?" or "how do you think we should play."
Children are rarely in control in this world (except for that temper tantrum in Target!). By letting them take the lead of the play scenario, they feel in control, become confident, relax, and engage fully with you.
I have 20+ years of teaching in the early childhood field. These are just a few random thoughts that I have on the subject of play. I am going to be better about posting. The blog has taken a backseat for a while - through Etsy chaos, family medical issues, and...well, Life.
Have a fun and playful day!
Mel