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Show ;1 4 v MM 1 "What's with the empty hand, old man?" ' i: t W V i " 4 - 7;." ' 4 S 5 - . - Jj i ; J ? ... - .u.mT '-.-V 1 "Well now ! Watch where your're grabbing." ACTIVE PHYSICAL PLAT IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN According to Pauline Nelson, Utah State University graduate assistant, there are four basic types of play in which children child-ren should become involved. Miss Nelson ,who works with Glen Jenson, USU Extension family and child development specialist, stated that active physical play is important for muscular development and health. The other types of play important in a child's life are imitative and dramatic play, creative play and social play. "The opportunity for expression expres-sion of ideas and developing new concepts can best be accomplished ac-complished with manipulative, constructive, creative and scientific scien-tific play," she stated. She feels that imitative and dramatic play help a child to understand the world around him, while social play helps the child to get along with others. "Social play teaches an understanding of fair play and sportsmanship," she added. She said, "In selecting toys for babiesi under 18 months, brightly colored, lightweight toys of varied textures are good choices. The toys should be washable, too big for the child to swallow and free of sharp corners or rough edges. A first toy might be a bright colored mobile attached to the crib so the baby can "play3' with his eyes. As he grows, blocks and push and pull toys are excel lent items for play." Miss Nelson .noted that a child from 18 months to three years needs active physical-play. physical-play. She stated, "He needs things to ride and climb on, such as a small tricycle, wagon, wag-on, trucks or animals that can be straddled. "The young builder will be delighted with a set of blocks of different sizes and shapes r.nd these are excellent for encouraging en-couraging creativity. Dress-up clothes, clay crayons and fin-gerpaints fin-gerpaints are also excellent for this age." From three to six years, a child enjoys acting out grownup grown-up roles. The USU student suggests sug-gests tha costumes and equipment equip-ment which enable children to act as cowboys, Indians, firemen, fire-men, policemen, doctors and nurses be a part of their toy collection now. For creativity, she suggest! paste, scissors, colored paper, wooden puzzles, picture books and records. "These items also encourage quiet play," she added add-ed . Expensive toys are not necessary. ne-cessary. Miss Nelson maintains that a parent can make do. For example, she says that giving, a child a little pan to put inside in-side a big one is still one of the best weys of helping him understand size differences and climbing the backyard apple tree is probably just as good for physical exercise as expensive expen-sive climbing toys. |