Can Toys Help Create Positive Role Models For Kids?

We all know that kids have active bodies and active imaginations. The more things they have to entertain themselves, the more they will stay out of trouble. Playing can be a great way for kids to exercise their minds and bodies. Using toys to simulate real life can help a child develop her imagination, while working collaboratively with others. So playing not only helps develop the imagination, but it helps with valuable social skills, as well.

Does it matter what type of toys the kids are playing with? When it comes to dolls it might. Since dolls are usually used to mimic real life, having a doll that portrays a positive image could have a more positive effect on how children portray themselves. Some studies have suggested that the unrealistic body image of Barbie, along with airbrushed magazine models, and super perfect Hollywood actresses, can be damaging to a young girls self image.

That is why a doll that helps to portray a more positive self image is a good choice for a young girl. The liv dolls are a new doll line that at least attempt to do this. Even though they are said to have flaws, they are slim and rather perfect looking, but they are a move in the right direction. They also focus a lot on fashion and the commercials and videos on Liv World are pretty shallow.

None the less, they do have some positive things going for them. They emphasize fashion and hairstyles, which is realistic, since preteen and teen girls are into fashion and hair. Most young girls who play with these dolls are aspiring teens, so this is fairly realistic. Another nice thing about these is they emphasize friendship and camaraderie.

The dolls are also supposed to be more like real girls, because they have flaws. One loves sports and skateboarding, but she is a Klutz. Another is way into doing her friends hair, but she can't see a thing without her glasses. It's a running liv doll joke, to not her do your hair, unless she has her glasses on. Another nice thing about this toy is they emphasize developing a girls talents, whether it's hair, fashion, skating, bike riding, or music, most kids have a talent or an interest they would like to develop.

The latest collection also comes with puppies. Each individual doll has her own puppy. Teaching kids to care for animals teaches empathy and responsibility. These are very valuable life skills and the world would be a better place if everyone learned these things at a young age. In the fall, there will be a new addition to the doll collection, named Hayden, she not only has a pet bunny, she even starts a foundation to help homeless animals. So these toys are even encouraging community service.

As our kids grow, we need to do our best to help them be responsible contributing members of society. The more positive role models and attitudes they see, will only help them to be better adults and better people in general.

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Create Your Own Christmas Stockings This Year

Christmas is a time to spend with your family, and perhaps reflect on the past year. Whether you have had a good year or a bad year, the Christmas season brings with it joy, happiness and excitement. A time to enjoy the company of your family - laugh, relax, and perhaps indulge a little.

One of the ways to bring the family closer together is to create your own Christmas stockings to hang on a fireplace or even on your Christmas tree. It is a fun way to spend some quality time with your kids, have a bit of fun whilst making your own unique Christmas stocking for the one you love. These stockings can eventually become a keep sake where they are used for years to come.

Christmas stockings can be bought ready made off the shelf, but they are very generic and don't really depict the personality of the intended owner. Why not try something different this year and create your own? You don't have to be one of those creative types or good at design.

Christmas stocking kits can now be bought from many online stores to help you create your very own personalized stocking. The great thing about these kits is that all the materials and patterns are supplied. This means that you do not have to buy materials from multiple stores, which could be costly, to just create one or two stockings.

Having all your materials in one package is a great way for the kids to still come up with their own unique design without the hassle of cutting material and fighting over who gets the last of the ribbon or cotton. Not having to use scissors means that even the very young can get involved.

One of the most popular stocking kits available today are made from felt. They are soft to the touch, look fantastic and are readily available. This means that no matter what design you are looking for, you will be sure to find that ultimate pattern. It is also fun to fill up the stockings with small gifts that do not cost much. Big presents are great to open up, but having small gifts in each of the stockings can be an appetizer to the big event.

There are some wonderful designs that can bring Christmas into your home to compliment your Christmas tree and decorations. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Having Santa Clause holding a bag of presents with a fireplace in the background and surrounded by excited kids is a lovely idea for perhaps Granddad's Christmas Stocking.
Perhaps Mom is a dog lover? How about presents under a Christmas tree with puppies curled up next to the tree. Perhaps one of the puppies is trying look inside one of the presents.
Kids love snow and with that comes the snowman. Using simple materials such as cotton and beads you can make a snow landscape with a big smiley snowman. Beads can be used for the eyes and cotton can be used for the snow and the snowman.

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