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

~ Dr. Stevanne Auerbach Ph.D. (Author), Dr. Toy (Author) "Tracing my own pathways in play I gratefully acknowledge many individuals who assisted in shaping my rationale for thinking, writing, observing, and evaluating playthings..." (more)
Key Phrases: Play Tutor, Galt Toys, Little Tikes (more...)

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

Product Description

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!

See all Editorial Reviews

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: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #248,951 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 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

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.

6 of 8 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 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.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful playtime tips, April 26, 2000

By	Linda Tucker (Hempstead, NY) - See all my reviews

As the grandmother of two-year-old twin girls, I found Dr. Toy's Smart Play an excellent guide to understanding how the right toys at the right time can help twins and higher multiples develop the skills they need at the moment, and throughout their lives -- sharing, cooperating, and building self-esteem. As a freelance writer, I'm happy to continue promoting Dr. Toy's advice in relevant articles I write for parenting magazines.