Play is a powerful learning tool. When children are engaged, they naturally focus and learn. Neuroscientists have shown that actual brain development happens when children are having fun. You don't need lots of times to play games with your child, just an easy idea and a good mood. PLAYFUL MOMENTS can give you over 50 ideas for spontaneous play.

"Gentle ways of enriching babies intelligence and laying a foundation for mastering coordination, language and dressing skills"

"Your book is wonderful—full of great information presented in a very user-friendly format-- and one we will suggest to professionals for use in their work with families.-- Claire Lerner, LCSW-C, Director of Parenting Resource, ZERO TO THREE

BULK ORDERS

500-1000-copies 3.95 ea

Pleases contact Barbara directly for bulk orders and shipping.

Not available on Amazon.

"Barbara Sher's new book Attention Games is just the sort of fresh contribution we need right now in a culture gone mad with labeling kids as 'ADHD.' Her simple games and activities are wonderful for helping kids of all ages focus their attention while learning new things, thinking in new ways, and exploring the world around them. Parents, if you believe your child is inattentive, think Attention Games first, and Ritalin later (much later!)."

Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D. author of The Myth of the A.D.D. Child: 50 Ways to Improve Your Child's Behavior and Attention Span without Drugs, Labels, or Coercion, and ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom.

"Attention, please! These sensory-rich activities are sensational! They will encourage kids to relate purposefully to others and participate wholeheartedly in the world around them as they focus intentionally on novel experiences and ideas."

Carol S. Kranowitz, M.A., author of The Out-of-Sync Child

If you want to focus children's attention, you first have to capture their interest. Attention Games is filled with interesting and child-tested activities that can help children of all ages become better at focusing and paying attention. By sharing the upbeat, joyful activities in Attention Games, you can enhance your child's intelligence, boost his confidence, increase his ability to concentrate on one thing for long periods, and show that you care. Developed by Barbara Sher parent, teacher, play therapy specialist and pediatric occupational therapist these activities are specially designed to encourage kids to expand their powers of attention in ways that will help them throughout their lives.

Developed by Barbara Sher over the course of thirty years as a parent, teacher, and play-therapy specialist, this collection of 101 delightful, easy-to-follow games helps children use their bodies to master essential mental skills and concepts. You and your family can play virtually anywhere, with any number of participants, and without special preparation or equipment. So gather the children in your life and get ready to have fun as you open their minds and hearts to new experiences and knowledge.

SPECIAL SECTIONS HIGHLIGHT:

• Encouraging movement and thinking
• Improving motor and social skills
• Enhancing language and math skills
• Fostering parent-child interaction
• Building on children's love of fantasy, action, and rhythm

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FROM THE CRITICS:

Children's Literature - Marcie Flinchum Atkins:

"This book for teachers and parents is divided up into five different sections. The five sections feature games that enhance visual-spatial skills, verbal-language skills, math skills, kinesthetic skills, and interpersonal skills. Each section is further split into games for different age levels. The games use materials that are common items that most people would have in their homes.

Some games are good for a parent and a child to do together at home. Some games would work in a small classroom setting with teachers and students. The book features activities that can be quiet games to play indoors, but it also has lots of more active games to play outside. This book is full of diverse games that have a purpose.

Recommended for parents and teachers who want to engage in meaningful play with children".

Books - Smart Play

101 SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE EVERY DAY A SPECIAL DAY! Children who move their bodies as part of the learning process are more stimulated and alert -- and they retain more of what they are taught. By sharing the upbeat, joyful activities in Smart Play, you can enhance your child's intelligence, boost his or her confidence, teach academic and motor skills, and provide a lasting foundation for learning. Hoops

SPECIAL SECTIONS HIGHLIGHT:

• Encouraging movement and thinking
• Improving motor and social skills
• Enhancing language and math skills --Fostering parent-child interaction
• Building on children's love of fantasy, action, and rhythm

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Gisela Jernigan

"As expressed in the title, and further explained in the introduction, this useful collection describes games and activities that help kids see and appreciate how unique and special they are. The games are divided into three sections: Being unique!, Getting to know me!, and Sharing who I am!. Each section is further divided into chapters, such as My Feelings and Learning to Trust. Among many new games are some old favorites like Did you Ever See a Lassie? and Group Hug. Includes an index and closing thoughts.

Reviewed by S. Latson.:

Books - Self Esteem Games

This collection of simple games encourages children to appreciate their strengths and weaknesses, express feelings, build relationships, and develop confidence. There are games for all group sizes of children aged three through twelve. Most of the games require little or no materials-just a playful attitude. Most of the activities would also be appropriate for children in PreK through second grade. The book is organized by themes, and each activity includes a code to help the leader select activities by age and size of the group".

SPECIAL SECTIONS HIGHLIGHTS:

• Knowing your strengths and abilities
• Expressing everyday feelings and reactions
• Enjoying being unique -- like everyone else!
• Building relationships by being with friends and trusting others
• Building confidence by getting to know your body and senses.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Carlee Hallman

"You will find this book a helpful resource. The author, a mother with a broad background in child development, works as an occupational therapist. The book presents creative games and activities to lighten the mood or spirit of a person or group.

The games are coded for age groups in sections labeled for mental outlook. For "Young Ones" in the "More Joy, Please!" section it is suggested that the young child enjoy a place of refuge under a table or in an empty appliance box, where special things can be kept, such as a pillow, blanket, or paper and markers. For "Middle Ones" in the "Making Magic" section directions are given for asking leading questions to help the child see her dream of life more clearly. For "Older Teens" in the "When I'm Angry" section, a set of cards with sentences which could change his mood may be drawn out of a box.

Some sentences can be helpful, such as "I was doing my best," "Bad times don't last forever," or "I can love myself even if I am not perfect." For "All Ages" in the "When I'm Sad" section family songs may be helpful in times of sorrow. The title may put some people off, but this book provides many unusual and fresh ideas to improve relationships"

Chinaberry Catalogue Staff

"Imagine a book that you can take down from the shelf whenever your nerves are fried, your six-year-old is angrily pushing the toddler down the stairs, and your teen is holed up in his room with a broken heart. One book, small and unassuming, holds such a wealth of wisdom, with games/activities/rituals to cultivate joy and well-being, no matter what is happening."

Read the full review here...

Books - Spirit Games

300 quick, Simple Ways to Make Every Day a Happier Day! Spirit games make children feel brighter and more confident. By tapping into children's natural delight, spirit games restore the sparkle to their eyes. By sharing the upbeat activities in Spirit Games, you can encourage your child's self-esteem and provide a lasting foundation for happiness.

This collection of 300 wise and nurturing ideas fosters parent-child interaction and requires no special preparation or equipment. Play these games with your family,or any children you cherish, to increase the level of joy in their lives.

SPECIAL SECTIONS HIGHLIGHT:

• Creating joy every day
• Getting past anger and self-doubt
• Learning compassion and sharing wonder
• Healing sadness and overcoming fear
• Nurturing your own spirit, too!

Books - Easy Going Games

A book chock full of a variety of activities to play with three simple materials, newspapers, socks and hula-hoops. These activities designed by a occupational therapist with 39 years experience build motor, social and cognitive skills and stress cooperation rather than competition. But from a child's point of view, they are just enormous fun!

Reviews for Extraordinary Play with Ordinary Things:

"I've used this book a lot! We've come up with great birthday party activities from this-- or rainy-day boredom busters. One 4-yr-old child who had just had a $400 chuck-e-cheese birthday asked if she could have her party in my back yard next year! The obstacle course suggestions alone are worth buying this book. This book will educate you to look at your recycables in a new way. After reading this-- my own ideas flourished as well. In fact, every item in your house will start to reveal it's play possibilities to you. Anyone who has watched a kid play with a cardboard box or tube for hours will appreciate this book. Some of the things we have made from recyclables and found objects have been played with more than most other toys in our house."

"This is definitely the book to have around when the "I don't have anything to do" whinnies hits. I am not exaggerating when I say that the book is packed with great ideas "

Extraordinary Play with Ordinary Things

700 activities that enrich children's development using everyday "throwaways". Empty milk cartons, newspaper, string, cans, mismatched socks and other ordinary things become the building blocks for enthralling play. These activities help build motor skills, encourage cognitive/social development and stress cooperation rather than competition. But all that kids will care about is that they are heaps of fun.

SPECIAL SECTIONS HIGHLIGHTS:

• Learn the basic motor skill of balance, eye-hand coordination, motor planning, spatial awareness and others
• Learn which games enhance these skills
• Take ordinary materials such a milk cartons, string, boxes,cans,wood and garden hose and see how to make a fun learning game from whatever you have handy
• Learn games for children in wheelchairs to play
• Understand the developmental sequence of motor development and know at what age to present which games

CDs - 28 Instant Song Games

MaBoAubLo and Barbara Sher MS, OTR-

28 Instant Songames - musical, fun-filled activities that help children develop mind, body, and spirit. Includes 28 songs on compact disk and a companion booklet filled with wonderful activities for home and school. Helps children develop their senses, coordination, body awareness, self-esteem, and social skills. Appropriate for children of all abilities, ages 3 to 8.

• More than 60 minutes of music
• Award-winning
• Parent APPROVED
• Kid-friendly
• Non-competitive
• Magical, musical fun!

"These fun and functional musical games give children time - time to learn, time to practice, and time to get in sync with other players.."

-Carol Kranowitz, MA, author of The Out-of-Sync Child and The Goodenoughs Get in Sync

Regular Price: $19.95
Sale Price: $11.97 - While supplies last!