Gymboree Diaper Bag Companion: Toddler Play

by Wendy S. Masi, Roni Cohen Leiderman

Parents are natural teachers, but they often need inspiration to direct their babies' energies into interactive activities, as well as guidance on what games to play and how to play them. Toddler Play offers parents, older siblings, grandparents, and other caregivers kid-friendly skill-building activities that are easy and fun to do. Developed exclusively by Gymboree's play experts, each activity is based on ideas pioneered in the Gymboree Play and Music Programs.The one hundred activities in this book are for infants from 1 to 3 years and are grouped according to age-appropriateness. There are active physical games for strengthening growing muscles and improving coordination as well as quieter role-playing games for stimulating the imagination and developing early language skills.Each activity was conceived first and foremost to be development and learning naturally follow. Whether you're a first-time parent or a grandparent or you just want to expand your existing repertoire of activities and songs, Toddler Play helps you and your toddler grow, learn, and —most important of all—have hours of fun together.For more than a quarter century, Gymboree has helped parents and children discover the many pleasures and benefits of play. Based on established principles of early childhood education and administered by trained teachers, Gymboree's Play and Music Programs emphasize the wonder of play in a nurturing, noncompetitive environment complete with colorful, child-safe equipment. Gymboree has contributed to the international awareness of the importance of play and now runs its interactive parent-child Play and Music Programs inmore than twenty-five countries.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Plays, Childrens, Education

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the library on a whim a few weeks ago. We had our now 19 month old enrolled at Gymboree from the ages of 6 months to 8 months, so I am fairly familiar with their philosophies and games. This book is essentially a rehashing of the popular songs and activities that they use but have been modified for a home environment.

I think this would be a`great book if you had multiple children close in age, but with just one child it seemed to fall short. A lot of the activities would be a lot of fun with a group, so it could work great with a playgroup or moms' group. it is worth picking up if you are looking for some ideas, but there are definitely better books out there.

[Kristen MacGregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some great ideas in it for me to use with Serra- her new favorite is to be pulled around on a blanket, which I did actually get from this book. However, some of the examples were so simple and, I guess, obvious that they really shouldn't have been listed. I think they were stretching to make 100 play ideas. For example, they use singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" as an example. Honestly, who hasn't already thought to do that on their own? I didn't need a book for that... But if you're stuck on what to do with your toddler, look at this book- it will give you at least a few ideas- and they're organized by age!

[The Other Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a kid's kind of person. Even as a child, I didn't know what to do with other children. Becoming a parent has not caused me to suddenly know how to interact, entertain, and educate tiny humans.

This is a really decent book. It's laid out by age, and gives many well laid out activities to help the tiny human ignorant figure out a way to engage with the tiny human(s) in their life. Bonus, most activities in this book don't require extra items, anything needed can be found around the house.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! This book demonstrates how fun this stage of life is and gives tons of fun games for you to play with your "big kid." I love this book because it has full-color pictures that show the game or activity. The explanations and instructions are well written, and it has tips on early child development. There's plenty of ideas, so pick a new game every week. It is an absolute must for any parent's library.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although many of the activities listed in this book might seem obvious or natural, I think having them all in one place with fun variations on each theme make this book a good reminder for parents of toddlers. The tone is engaging and the layout accessible. It reminded me of all the terrific ways I can have fun with my child.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of wonderful age appropriate activities to do with your toddler. There are many things that I am currently already doing (common sense) with Elliot, but it has many that I am interested in doing. I am excited!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic. Full of great ideas and songs for stimulating and enriching your child. It might seem cheesy until you actually have to entertain a toddler all day. I should have bought it sooner.

[Abby]

Benjamin is a deprived kid. His favorite activity that I came up with on my own is the "Blanket Game", where he lies down and I throw a blanket up and down on him. It's brilliant. I like the blanket dragging idea, mentioned by Kristen, who I am wondering if I can also borrow this book from. :-)

[Lori]

Covers 12-30 month range. With activities and games. Looks like a nice format, short and sweet activities to try and includes just a tidbit to share with you why doing these things makes you such a great parent ;)

[Jessika Vaupel · Rating 4 out of 5]

TOO FUN! new ideas for every few months about keepint baby learning and growing and entertained ON A BUDGET!!

[Apzmarshl · Rating 5 out of 5]

my kidlets love the songs in here

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the activities in this book.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very original ideas...

[Rose]

649.5 Mas

[Nina I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. It gives great ideas for those days that you are not sure what to pull out. The kids both enjoyed looking at the pictures of the babies and toddlers.

[Fizzylizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for ideas and already-planned-out games and crafts, etc. I love the fact that it has pictures! LoL. I don't like instructional books without pictures. :-P

[Boston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of basic ideas, like "sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider," but I got a handful of good ideas. It was definitely worth looking through.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has some fantastic rhymes, songs, and movement activities I will be using during storytime.

[Amber]

1 copy available

Merged review:

2 Copies

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

good for the early years, but a little dated...still go to it when i am looking for some outside the box fun, rather than a toy!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really not that inventive, and many of these recommendations are product-based. Baby Play was a far better book.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for age appropriate activities for children.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas for songs and play!