For a little one, play is as natural as eating or sleeping. This activity is very important in the development of a toddler – it is getting to know the world, facing it with the whole body, all muscles, and senses. Anything surrounding a little person can become a toy. It will be interesting as long as it allows the young experimenter to discover something new. Fun is to be used to experience the world, meet various needs and master a specific skill. This is where Good Wood comes in handy.
IMAGINATION
The Good Wood rocker for children can be a ship on stormy water, a spaceship, a pirate’s nest, a galleon, an inaccessible prison, a racer, a theater, a huge castle … new places, vehicles and hiding places. And you? Do you remember your childhood games? Haven’t you built your lookout? I’m sure you can! Now you know that a rocker can be a perfect frame for such a structure. What else can be used in this type of games? Almost everything! A pillow, blanket, mattress, rug and stuffed animals will come in handy. Home appliances such as a colander, a wooden spoon, a plastic bottle may also be helpful. Best of all, everything is at hand! What about the inhabitants of our building? Princesses usually live in castles, and terrible pirates sail the ships. You surely know perfectly well that kids love to change. Maybe you have old clothes in your closet that could be used as a princess’ dress or a mantle of a dangerous corsair?
MOVEMENT
Another type of play with Good Wood is all kinds of physical activities: rocking, rocking, balancing, climbing, sliding, crawling. For this type of play, not only a rocker, but also a ladder will be useful. You can invent games endlessly. With the help of Good Wood, you will create a home playground for children and satisfy their need for exercise (adults can also play!). You can create a completely different obstacle course every day. In addition to our equipment, cushions, a rope and a piece of floor will be useful. An interesting proposition to support the motor coordination of your children will also be all kinds of ball exercises, e.g. tossing it while rocking or scoring goals at a goal made of a rocker. This is a great challenge for older kids, bursting with energy and the need for constant movement.
EFFICIENT HANDS
This is not the end of Good Wood’s possibilities. The child not only feels the need to move, but also naturally strives to develop manual skills. Kids want to exercise the efficiency of their fingers and therefore they are happy to reach for everyday objects. Fun to clean up? Nothing easier! Hang a piece of string between the rocker skids, add clothespins, and your toddler will be happy to hang the laundry. Rockers and a table top make the perfect table for a small artist: you can stamp, paint, draw, cut, paste, color on it … With this type of play, we not only support the development of fine motor skills, but also exercise creativity. You will certainly need colored sheets, glue, scissors, markers, chalk, old newspapers or paints.
YOGA
Another, a little more sedate idea for great fun and development is yoga. Yoga with Good Wood will be great fun not only for the child, but also for the parent. Here you will need a rocker, a ladder and (absolutely!) A comfortable outfit. Yoga includes stretching and breathing exercises, among others. You don’t have to be a yogi, our guide ( www.goodwoodpoland.pl/joga ), where you will find photos and descriptions of exercises that the child can do (alone or with a parent). Let it be your time together – moments spent on building relationships, and most of all having a GOOD FUN.
The toddler exercises, and at the same time is a butterfly, a tree, a warrior … He uses his imagination. Remember that a child does not have to assume perfect positions – nothing is forced! The most important thing is that it draws from the natural inner resources of joy. Have fun together, enjoy it!
INTELLECT
Finally, a few more words about play and its impact on the youngest. It may not be obvious, but playing with the rocker also has a positive effect on the intellectual abilities of our children. Why? During free play, the child learns to set a certain goal (for example, reaching the top of a rocker) and strives for it – this is how he shapes his will. He makes a decision, acts, and finally achieves what he wanted by conquering his little Mount Everest. It gives the toddler joy and satisfaction, and shapes his self-esteem. Spending time actively (preferably outdoors, and when it is not possible, for example with a rocking chair), the child oxygenates the brain. This has a positive effect on memory and the ability to concentrate, and thus supports intellectual development.
We already know that a rocker is a great idea for fun. We know that play is a big little thing and can have a wonderful impact on our children’s development. If, however, I were to answer the question of how to have fun, I would simply say “okay”! (Because the most important thing in all this is joy).
You can find our proposal of games with the use of a rocker here:
inspirer
Joy in motion!
– Magda