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Top 10 Play Tools Every Parent and Therapist Should Own

It’s National Play Therapy Week and as a nationally recognized Registered Play Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I want to bring awareness to play this week as it is vitally important for a child’s growth, cognitive and emotional development, and overall mental wellbeing! And now, with the big role the pandemic has played with children’s mental health, play is needed more than ever! I am sure it does not surprise you how much I value the power of play. I am a proud member of the Association for Play Therapy and also teach university level Play Therapy courses to Master’s and Doctoral level students. Play is my expertise and I incorporate into my everyday routine professionally and personally.

 

 

Play is so instrumental in helping children build social and emotional skills, relieve stress, build language and communication skills, and learn core strategies on how to take turns, share, and follow directions. Play is also critical for brain growth and allows children the freedom to get lost and discover who they are. Play is a fundamental way for children to express themselves, explore creatively, and use their imagination. Without saying a word, a child can create an imaginary world for themselves and get lost in their own creative space. Play is especially important for a child who doesn’t have the language to express themselves verbally, but can play as a way to communicate and relate to others in their world.

Over the last decade of working with thousands of children with various diagnosis and also with children who don’t have a specific diagnosis, I have found there are certain toys and tools that are most beneficial to play with that I believe every parent and therapist should own! This list of toy tools are ones that ALL children benefit from!

 

Medical Kit

A medical kit is necessary for many reasons. Every child needs to go to the doctor at some point in their childhood as early as infancy through adolescence. Whether it’s a routine well check, a sick visit, or even a trip to the emergency room to have a procedure or surgery, children need to practice being sick, taking care of others, and desensitize themselves from the fear of going to the doctor. Playing with a medical kit helps foster trust and comfort with going to the doctor and alleviates anxiety and fear of having a shot, being sick, and taking medicine. Here is the one I own that I recommend! 

 

Puppets

Puppets are my favorite play tool. I have used puppets for so many reasons over the years. I have had children who are diagnosed with adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, autism, or even selective mutism where puppets have helped them therapeutically heal. I have worked with children with trauma, grief and loss, and even those going through a divorce that benefit from puppet play. I even use puppets with my own children, when I teach, and in my parenting workshops. Puppets foster comfort, trust, and communication. Children can talk to a puppet much easier than they can talk to an adult, whether it’s a parent or a therapist. It’s brings a sense of belonging and friendship to children who want someone to talk to with no judgment. Here is a link to a set of puppets I recommend! 

 

Dollhouse

I love the use of a dollhouse at home and in my office. Children love to reenact their home environment and or like to create a new environment with their imagination. Either way, the child can overcome and heal from difficult home situations and or escape and create a more desirable environment that will help them cope with less desirable home environments. Dollhouses also come in very handy when a child lives in two different homes with two sets of parents and siblings. Dollhouses can be expensive, but here is the link to an affordable one that I recommend!

 

Dress Up Clothes

Children love to use their creativity and imagination to become a firefighter or princess for a day. Through this type of fantasy or symbolic type of play, children can develop a persona that helps them deal with conflict, fears, anxiety, and sadness by dressing up in a costume of some kind. For example, if a child has trouble meeting new children in real life, but then dresses up in a cape and sunglasses, it can make it easier for them to socialize and be in social environments because they have created their own superhero power. Children can also benefit from dressing up when they are trying to learn and practice role playing and pretend play. For example, a child may benefit from dressing up like a firefighter and using a hose to spray down their house to learn a new role or feel empowered and pretend they are a hero for the day! And lastly, children love to have fun and reenact actions from their favorite characters from their favorite shows, life events, theme parks, etc. Here is the link to the Melissa & Doug firefighter costume we own!

 

Punching Bag

A punching bag is an extremely important play tool to express anxiety and or anger. The mental and physical release of punching the bag externalizes the emotions onto the bag instead of keeping it inside of their body. This way, children can use this as a positive and effective coping mechanism instead of possibly hitting another person like a peer, sibling, or even engaging in self harm. A punching bag also comes in handy for children with ADHD or a child with a tremendous amount of energy that needs a replacement behavior to release their energy. It’s a fun exercise tool, too! Here is the one I own that I recommend!

 

Sensory Bin

I can’t say enough beneficial things about sensory bins. Sensory bins are helpful for children to learn how to self soothe, familiarize themselves with textures, practice motor skills, and self regulate. Whether it’s filled with play sand, dried rice, water, dried oats, dried beans, dried pasta, or water beads, sensory tables are so much fun! You can make them educational, playful, and themed! I recommend getting a large plastic bin and filling it with a variety of textures and items like pom poms, buttons, feathers, magnetic letters, small puzzle pieces, foam blocks, clothespins, shells, small toys like dinosaurs or cars or insects, miniature construction vehicles, cups, funnels, tongs or a spoon, toilet paper or paper towel roll, and an ice cube tray. 

 

Stuffed Animals

Stuffed animals bring so much love and comfort to children. Stuffed animals can even be a child’s most prized possession or best friend. Stuffed animals can help a child self regulate and even help them sleep better during naps and at bedtime. A child can communicate with their stuffed animal without judgement and receive unconditional love and support from this loyal friend. When a child is sad, hurt, grieving, or mourning, they can cry and express their emotions to their stuffed animal. When a child is happy, they can share all of the good things about their day with their stuffed animal or even take their stuffed animal to explore the world with them, giving them a sense of belonging and social confidence. Stuffed animals can also help children through a life transition like welcoming a new sibling, dealing with a parental divorce, a death of a loved one, or transitioning to a new school. Children love taking their stuffed animals with them to the doctor, on vacation, to school, and to bed at nighttime.

 

Play Telephone or Mirror

Similar to the puppet, having a play phone gives a child the opportunity to talk to anyone they want, real or imaginary. Playing with a mirror or play telephone helps a child with creativity and expression of self. Maybe a child wants to call a parent that travels a lot or lives in a different home. Or maybe a child wants to call a friend that they moved away from that they miss and just want to say hello. Maybe they want to call an alien or their favorite Disney character and have a conversation with them. Whatever the reason, children can use the phone to talk to someone that they may not be able to talk to in real life. This type of play can also give them the opportunity to tell someone something that might be too hard to say to their face in real life. Children can practice what they want to say to someone in real life by using the mirror or phone first. A mirror can have the same benefit, except, they are able to talk to themselves instead of someone else. It can also help with language and communication skills, too! Here is the one I own that I recommend!

 

Tent or Tunnel

Children want a space to escape and feel safe. Everyone needs some independence, and especially in these challenging times during the pandemic when all family members are home all day everyday, finding time alone can rare but absolutely vital to better emotional, social, and mental wellbeing. A play tent or tunnel can give your child the autonomy and or safety they desire. It gives them a place to hide if they need it. It gives them a place to self regulate. And it gives them the opportunity to use their imagination and play games with hiding, seeking, and rescuing themes!  Here is the one I own that I recommend! 

 

Baby Doll with Accessories

The act of taking care of a baby is very nurturing for a child. Whether they change a diaper, feed them food, or give them a bottle or pacifier, they are helping to take care of a baby. They can reenact their own upbringing or help themselves feel nurtured even if they didn’t get that type of nurturing as a baby. This type of play also teaches a child responsibility and helps prepare them for when a parent has a second child. Playing with a doll can help prepare a toddler or young child what it’s like to take care of a baby and help prepare them mentally and emotionally through play of the new life transition! I love these dolls since they are available in four different skin tones. 

 

Play Food

I have never met a child that doesn’t like to play with pretend food. And I have to admit, playing with pretend food is so fun! Food is also a nurturing type of play. Children love to pretend to prepare and cook food as well as serve and feed others with food. They love the act of taking care of someone else. Plus, this type of play can be done individually or help initiate group play with different roles. Playing with food let’s your child explore, learn, and be exposed to a variety of food. This is beneficial because it may even be used to help them eat those vegetables they usually push to the side of the plate and into their mouth at their next meal! Some play food can be pretty cheaply made, so here is the link to a 70 piece set I recommend! 

 

 

#playtherapyweek2021

 

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links but all items have been purchased and owned by me. My opinion about each toy is my own.

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Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children.

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TODAY.com Parenting Team Parenting Contributor

About Dr. Kim

Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children. Read More…

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🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had t 🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had today! 🇺🇸

As soon as we woke up I started educating my children, specifically my daughter, on what the inauguration meant and why today was such a special day in history. We both were glued to the television as we watched @kamalaharris be sworn in as the first Black South Asian woman Vice President and @joebiden be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. We also were powerfully moved hearing @amandascgorman - the youngest inaugural poet in history recite “The Hill We Climb.” 

My daughter was so excited to participate and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the county and she was so proud to see and be a part of history in the making. I haven’t been to Washington D.C. in about 8 years but I promised I would take her one day when the pandemic is over. 

In the meantime, I have a fun fact for you! Did you know that President Joe Biden and I both graduated from the same university? Yep! We both went to @syracuseu 🍊 And in fact, @joebiden is the first @syracuseu alumnus to become President of the United States! 

📸: @chrissywphoto #inauguration #inagurationday #inaguration2021 #joebiden #kamalaharris #presidentbiden #syracuseuniversity #syracuse #syracuseu #historyismade #madamvicepresident #mommyandme #46thpresident #sandiego #sandiegoblogger #momblogger #parentingblogger #motherhood
This time of year is notorious for dry air, allerg This time of year is notorious for dry air, allergies, and sinus trouble. #ad 

And since I work from home, it can get quite noisy and distracting with my husband and two children here, so sometimes I get my best work done in the comfort of my own bed. And the best part is that I can have my new @crane_usa “4 in 1” cool mist humidifier on at all times with essential oils to help with overall wellness and since it comes with a sound machine I can block out the other noises in the house! 

And at night, it helps my sinuses as I sleep, especially when the dry air of the heater is on, and it has a nightlight so my kids can see where they are going in the middle of the night when they inevitably need water or a hug! 

This is our 6th #cranehumidifier style and it’s my favorite one yet! Check out my stories for a closer look! 👀 #happyhealthyhumidity 

#humidifier #coldandflu #humidifiers #peaceandquiet #workingfromhome #workingmom #working #coldandfluseason #coldandflurelief #winter #winterstyle #wintertime #wintervibes #winter2021 #wahm #wahmlife #wahmlifestyle #workfromhomemom #workfromhomelife #workfromhome #workathomemom #workathome #workathomelife #newmom #babyshowergift #sinusrelief
{New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude {New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude” 🌱✨🌸

Throwing it back to one of the first mommy and me photos I ever posted on my feed because I’ve been teaching my daughter about gratitude since she was this little, possibly even younger (she is two here for reference)! 

Gratitude is such an important virtue and must have trait to build a child’s character. It also shows therapeutic benefits when you show gratitude to others, so why wouldn’t you want to make it a priority to teach and instill in your children? 

In this blog, I have suggestions for how to teach children gratitude broken down by ages and stages from infancy to teenage years, while also including some conversation prompts, and links to my favorite gratitude journals for busy families that we use here at home! 

Find the direct link to read in my bio and stories! I also published similar articles on @todayparents and @redtricycle if you follow me there! #drkimblog
DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️ I am DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️

I am that mom who wants to do it all and when I get overwhelmed or start suffering from a major case of burnout, I feel guilty if I take a break instead of giving my body and mind permission to slow down or even stop. 

As moms we often feel guilty if we take a break or believe we are perceived as weak if we ask for help. I have learned that the more I ask for help and the more time I take for myself, the better I am for my children. 

Guilt is an emotional response to something you perceived you did wrong, but when you experience unnecessary guilt, it’s counterproductive to healing and helping you with what you need most. So give it a try and let me know how you are going to take a break and not feel guilty about it this week below in the comments! ⤵️ #drkimparentingtips #theparentologist #drkimparentingadvice
DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when yo DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when you were little - and still do! 🙋🏼‍♀️🐱#ad

I am so excited to have all of these new items from the @erincondren Hello Kitty collection that launched today to keep work fun, playful, and reminiscent of childhood - something all adults need a little more of, am I right? 

The collection is all about organization, kindness, and friendship. My favorite piece of the collection is the “Daily Kindness and Joy Journal” that boldly says BE KIND, BE NICE, REPEAT on the front cover but I am also pretty obsessed with the Hello Kitty x Erin Condren Pencil Case and Vegan Leather Padfolio! 

Swipe to see my business attire on top and activewear on the bottom work style! 😉 And head to my stories to see it all up close and for your convenience I have everything linked for you http://liketk.it/35XZC and make sure to follow me at THEPARENTOLOGIST @liketoknow.it  for more of my favorites!!! #liketkit #erincondren
{New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and {New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and Role Play Ideas for Children with Autism” 🧩 🧸 🚂 ⚽️ 
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For the last 3 years I have spent my career therapeutically helping families and children of all ages on the Autism Spectrum. Play has been a fundamental way for many of my clients to communicate if they are non-verbal. And some of my clients have had to be taught how to play with a toy or another person. The play ideas listed on the blog can be used with children with or without special needs. Play is a universal way a child can explore their world in a way that makes sense to them and cultivate imagination, creativity, and fun! As a Registered Play Therapist, I love the work I do and couldn’t be prouder of the progress my clients have made with play over the years! #drkimblog
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{New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control {New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control of Your Eczema” #ad 
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These winter months have been so dry and my eczema has been flaring up. Can anyone relate? For decades I have used a variety of treatment options from over-the-counter ointments and lotions to doctor prescribed steroid medication. In today’s blog, I am partnering with @mediqcme to share more of my story and struggles with atopic dermatitis as well as some new treatment options! If you or a loved one suffer from eczema or atopic dermatitis it’s a must read! 
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Plus there is a survey at the end of the blog you can fill out and opt in to be entered to win 1 of 10 VISA gift cards! 🙌🏻 Link in bio and in stories! #itchyskinhelp #drkimblog
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{New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get {New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get Your Kids to Do What You Want” 
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As a Registered Play Therapist, play is the foundation to the way I help children conceptualize and conquer the world. Play is second nature to children and the way they respond to many of life’s obstacles. Sometimes as parents, it is easy to get into a power match with your children, especially when you want your children to comply with a request and they won’t budge. When this happens, we need to change the way our adult mind thinks and switch it to the way a child thinks. Instead of giving them a punitive consequence, try these play recommendations that can be used with children as young as toddlerhood all the way to adolescents! #drkimblog 
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#playtherapy #playtherapist #therapistsofinstagram #playoutsidethebox #learningthruplay #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #learningisfun #parenting #parentingtips #parenting101 #parentingteens #parentingtweens #parentingtoddlers #parentingadvice #parentingexpert #parentingblogger #parentingblog #newblogpost #ontheblog #momswhoblog #parenthood #toddlerproblems #toddlermom #behaviortherapist #behaviortherapy #positiveparentingsolutions #positiveparentingtips #positiveparenting
{New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effect {New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effectively in 2021” ✨ 
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It’s is usually around this time that I start thinking of the goals I want to accomplish for the year. And whether you believe in making resolutions, affirmations, or goals, it is time to be proactive!! On the blog, I outlined an organizational system I use year after year to help me accomplish my goals. And I hope they work for you!! 
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What are some of your goals you want to accomplish this year? 
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#2021 #2021goals #goals #goalsetting #goalgetter #goalsettingtips #goalsetter #goalsetting2021 #goalcrusher #momhustle #snowday #snowman #newgoals #newgoals2021 #mommyandme #letthembelittle #letthembekids #letthemplay #playoutside #playoutdoors #playoutsidethebox #familyday #familyfun #familysnowday
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