There are delightful books about trains for expanded play. Some trains connect magnetically, and that may bring up something else to talk about, as well as making it easier for the train to stay on the tracks. You can surround the track with a town built from blocks. Chances to talk about longer, shorter, higher, next to, in front of, behind, over or under come spontaneously as conversations about the construction evolve naturally. Sharing, delegating, planning, evaluating, improving and improvising are all intrinsic parts of playing with blocks.
Children can even make drawings to preserve the ideas that emerged from the block play.
Playing with dolls, puppets, and stuffed animals offers chances to practice being a grown-up. This make-believe play can ignite the creation of written stories or plays. When you choose toys for your child or your class, think about what else you can do beyond the advertised use. Of course you will consider safety, developmental appropriateness, and durability. Evy Fischlowitz Sussman, currently a primary school teacher in Minneapolis, has over 30 years experience in Early Childhood education.