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Do toy kitchens hold any special value for kids?
How are they different from any other toy? And how can they help you as a parent in the development of your child?
Play kitchens, also known as kids’ kitchens or simply, toy kitchens, belong to the role-play category of toys. In pretend play, kids mimic adults.
Experts have said this imitative play helps a lot in a child’s growth and development.
Here, we want to look at ways a play kitchen can help your kids.
It helps them to develop an interest in Life Skills
Well, we start with the obvious. All those imaginary recipes and dishes are not for nothing. Play kitchens can help your child develop a keen interest in skills like cooking. The last time we checked, culinary skill is still one of the most important anyone could have.
When kids play with their kitchens, their interest in cooking is somehow ignited. You see them combining different ingredients for their pretend meals. They develop confidence when it comes to food preparation which may be helpful as they grow older.
A kitchen playset is also the perfect tool to teach your child about other life skills such as cleaning, budgeting and nutrition.
It boosts their creativity and imagination
While pretend play allows kids to imitate adult, it doesn’t limit the extent they can use their imaginations. So don’t be surprised when your kid serves you purple milk, or prepares strange recipes in her kitchen.
This also applies to play accessories that kids have not seen before. They easily formulate uses for these pretend toys.
Many child psychologists agree that using the imagination in this way fosters cognitive development and can help kids reach their highest intellectual potential.
It facilitates reduced screen time
Parents who know the value of true physical play will give anything to make sure their kids don’t spend much time with TV or mobile phones. Play kitchens offer plenty of options in this regard. A child can create a different scenarios that will occupy his time positively.
Your boy can prepare imaginary meals for the family now and the next minute, he is a celebrity chef. Your girl can tell you she is busy doing her play dishes and the next instance, she is preparing treats for her dog.
Many play kitchens come with lots of engaging features that your child can play with them for hours on end.
It helps with fine motor skills
Many parents don’t know that playing with a toy kitchen is a form of physical activity for kids. A child-size play kitchen involves kids stretching, bending and walking.
These activities help with the development of the muscles kids need to perform daily functions. A toddler’s regular play-time with a toy kitchen may also help with their eye-hand coordination and can help them navigate obstacles in the home.