get out of the box

Symbolic play, pretending an item is something that it is not, is an important part of our children's development. The age old example... You buy a new stove or other large item, and your children beg for the big box. It then becomes a car, house, boat, or any number of other wonderful things in your child's imagination. If you'll pardon the pun, they're thinking outside the box. I love how creative children can be. They are not bound by rules in their play. They can't even read the "rule book" yet. Later in life, these problem solving and adapting skills become useful not just in academics, but when life throws that curve ball at you. So as we prepare for the myriad of left over boxes this Christmas, don't forget to save a few to play in!