Dr. Toy's Smart Play: How To Raise A Child With a High PQ (Play Quotient) [Paperback]

Dr. Stevanne Auerbach Ph.D. (Author), Heather Jackson (Author), Dr. Toy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1998

We've all heard of IQ but do you know your child's PQ or Play Quotient?

A child's ability to play does more than provide for fund and diversion; it is critical for his or her emotion and intellectual growth, an teaches everything from social skills to analytical thinking. For the developing mind of a child, learning to play is paramount--but is your child getting the most out of playtime?
Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., more affectionately known as Dr. Toy has dedicated a lifetime to the importance of play and gives you specific advice on which toys to buy and what kind of games to play to emplower your child's overall development. You'll learn:

How to become your child's play Tutor
How play can strengthen maturity levels and confidence
The pros, cons, and facts of gender specific toys
Guideance for the gifted and special-needs child

Plus practical advice on
Evaluatin a toy's safety, learn which toy manufacturers Dr. Toy recommends
Craft supplies you should always have on hand
Dr Toy's 100 Best Children's Products
And many more invaluable ways to make playtime a growing experience!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Play, especially active, creative, and educational play, helps children develop such basic social and academic skills as concentration, problem solving, communication, and cooperation. Factors such as safety, durability, flexibility, and age appropriateness complicate the challenge parents face in choosing the right toys for their children at the right time. Auerbach applies her scientific but not preachy expertise to that challenge. She relies as much on common sense and parenting insight as on scholarly research to suggest toys ranging from brooms and plastic cups to books and watercolors to amuse, stimulate, and activate children. Individual chapters describe developmental progress from infancy through age 12, advising age-appropriate toys and products as well as items for children with special needs. For backup to the book, Auerbach, familiar to many for her syndicated column, "Dr. Toy," maintains a Web site for toy evaluation. Kathryn Carpenter

About the Author

Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D, is the director of the Institute of Childhood Resources, founded in 1975. She has written many book, and has a weekly syndicated column, "Dr. Toy," for King Features Syndicate, and a popular award-winning web site, www.drtoy.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312180896
• ISBN-13: 978-0312180898
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,384,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stevanne Auerbach is also known as Dr Toy (TM). She has written 15 books on toys, childcare and parenting. Smart Play Smart Toys guide to play from baby to older children is available in USA (and translated in 12 countries); first novel, "The Contest" published in book and electronic formats; newly revised edition of Choosing Childcare- the first guide of its kind is revised and ready to again assist parents; 5 books on child care Child Care A Comprehansive Guide 4 Volumes and Confronting the Child Care Crisis have now been released for childcare planners and advocates from author's guild back in print books; everything is found on www.stevanneauerbach. Check Dr. Toy's Guide, www.drtoy.com first site on toy information which offers useful, timely guidance for all ages. Dr Toy writes reviews of toys, articles and conducts interviews. See facebook and Linked in; She is also a playful grandmother.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Toy's SMART PLAY How to Raise a Child with a High PQ, January 5, 2000

By 

Melissa Garcia (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr. Toy's Smart Play: How To Raise A Child With a High PQ (Play Quotient) (Paperback)

I would like to say that this is definitely one of the most informational books on children's play habits that I have ever heard of. Dr. Toy explains why it's important for kids to play, what they learn through play and makes very detailed suggestions for appropriate playthings for children from birth to pre-teens. Forget about asking some department store associate for suggestions! A must-have for any parent or grandparent.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide for all parents to bring up your child better., October 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dr. Toy's Smart Play: How To Raise A Child With a High PQ (Play Quotient) (Paperback)

This book is organized very well and easy to read. I found everything I want here. It tells me that the steps of children growing up, the right way of playing with the child according to her different needs and valuable resorces for the child with special needs. All suggestions and methods I need to bring up my son are in this book except the nutritions. This is the best book I would like to recommend to all parents. Great book! Thanks Stevanne.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book could save your child's childhood, April 13, 2002

By 

Bernard Dekoven "Major Fun" (Indianapolis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Toy's Smart Play: How To Raise A Child With a High PQ (Play Quotient) (Paperback)

Even though Smart Play is written by someone who calls herself Dr. Toy, the book is much more about smart parenting than it is about toys.

Yes, the book has a great deal to tell us about toys. But it's really not for parents who are looking for things to keep their kids occupied, busy, out of what remains of their parental hair.

Toys, in Dr. Toy's remarkably informed view, are tools for good parenting. The right toy is the one that helps the parent connect to their children, and vice versa.

In many ways, this is a great book for grandparents, because it takes the perspective of a grandparent to realize how incredibly valuable it can be to take the time play with your children - for the growth of the parent as well as the child.