Bringing Out the Little Chef in a Child through Play Kitchens
Pretend play kitchens are the most popular pretend toys in the market. Not only are they fun, but children’s kitchens can open a whole new world of learning through imagination and interaction. Kids love to pretend even at an early age. As they play, watch as they mimic mommy cooking and cleaning the kitchen. When they pretend to cook in their toy kitchens, kids are actually honing certain skills that are essential in their growth and development – without them knowing it.
Play kitchens have been in the market centuries ago. Wooden kitchens for kids can be found in homes where there is a little chef wanting to cook something up for mommy, daddy, or a playmate. With this kind of toy, a child goes into mommy’s shoes and begins to think, plan, and act on the things she has organized on her own to create a good meal fit for a king and queen.
Certain developmental skills are built while a child plays with a kitchen set. Cognitive, linguistic, emotional, and social skills are practiced, honed, and acquired with the help of pretend plays. However, parents, teachers and other people surrounding a child are key factors into making a play kitchen become a high-quality play.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Toy Kitchen
Consider the Child’s Age
Toy manufacturers, including those who make children’s kitchens, provide information about age recommendations for every toy they distribute. In that way, parents or anybody can check what age brackets are allowed to play the toy safely. Most kitchen toys come with plastic or wood finish and are usually safe for children. However, toys for older children include small parts and are not advisable for the use of younger kids who are prone to putting things in their mouth now and then. To be safe, do not let a child, younger than the indicated age recommendation, play with the toy. It is still best to take the manufacturer’s age recommendation into importance.
Consider the Child’s Height
A child’s height should be considered when buying toy kitchen furniture. Toy kitchens are made to be played by a child and therefore its size needs to be just perfect for a child’s reach. Parents usually like to buy toys they think look good and have a lot of features. One thing they forget is to ask their selves if their children are comfortable playing with the toy. Can the children easily reach their kitchen utensils and appliances? Age permitting, children should have easily access to the toy if they are to play with it.
Consider the Kitchen Toys Accessories
Children’s kitchens are meant to be fun. But think of what fun they can get if all they have is a kitchen sink and stove with no pots, pans, plates, etc to go with their play. The more kitchen accessories, the more fun they can get. Of course, it is still important to consider if the accessories are safe and appropriate for the children’s age. Nevertheless, a toy kitchen needs to have the basic items including cupboard, oven, and stove. Toy kitchens usually come as a set, but some require you to buy accessories separately.
Consider the Play Space
A kitchen set which take up all the space in the playroom is not good. In the first place, children will not find it comfortable if they have to squeeze in the room to play with their toys. Before buying a toy kitchen, check the amount of space you have. Play kitchens, be it plastic or wooden kitchens for kids, vary in size.
Standard Components of a Toy Kitchen
Eating and Drinking Utensils
Plates, cups, glasses, spoons, forks, and knives are accessories that should be present in any play kitchen. These components are usually colorful making children more interested in setting up the table and preparing food. These components are relatively small so make sure that they are not too pointed or sharp. Kids usually put them in their mouths as they pretend to eat and drink with them so make sure they are safe to play with.
Cooking Utensils
Kids love to play with pots and pans as they pretend to cook. Though their toy kitchen stoves do not really have flames, they use their imagination and cook with their pots and pans. There is a risk of them putting their cooking utensils on top of a real cooking fire; parents have to make all safety precautions to prevent accidents from happening.
Storage areas
Cabinets or storage areas teach kids the value of organizing things. When they appreciate a nicely organized kitchen, they will sooner or later apply it in real life and help mommy clean up after every meal.
Kitchen Furniture Equipments
As children grow older, keeping their interest in their toy kitchens may mean buying them toy kitchen furniture equipments. Microwaves, ovens, refrigerators, coffee pots, and coffee makers provide additional activities to growing children.
Parents Involvement in Play
Parents are children’s best playmates. A parent’s responsibility does not end in choosing the right kind of toy and making sure of their kids safety. Research shows that kids who play with their parents end up being more creative and responsive. To make play time more active, parents and other adults need to play alongside children. There is no harm in rediscovering the child inside every adult. Join in and have fun at the child’s level while teaching children something new with the help of toys.
Once parents see that a child is determined to learn how to cook, children’s toy kitchens are good tools to help them start practicing their skills. There is nothing wrong with parents teaching children how to do things the right way, but parents must not forget to help their children be proud of their selves too.
They should tell them how good they were when they accomplish something or applaud them for a job well done. Imaginative plays are a lot of fun not only for kids but for parents as well.
Related posts: