Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Alice Zsembery, Jack & Lu’s Pty Ltd, $29.95.
“There’s no way to be a perfect Mother – but a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill.
Described as the ultimate guide for children up to five years of age, Real Kids, Real Play provides an essential resource to all parents during this unprecedented time of self-isolation as a result of COVID-19.
Alice Zsembery wrote this book with a desire to reduce the clutter in her house and increase her children’s engagement levels, as well as find solutions for parents, grandparents and carers, who may ‘lack the financial means to purchase toys and activities’.
The result is amazing. It uses everyday items that you find around the home to create engaging and educational play experiences. A book with more than 150 activities, play is focused on projects that can be done with everyday household items and with little setup time. You can use old egg cartons, and yes, there are a number that involve toilet rolls and tubes!
Inside the paperback are experiments, hobbies, DIY recipes and song list that vivify your child’s physical, cognitive and social development. Using things around the house is not only cost-effective, but also a great way to encourage reuse and recycling!
The Melbourne author, who was helped in her research by her two children, says some of the results could be familiar, some may educate and others might even seem really simple. Most important is the safety factor for everyone and the need to feel comfortable.
You must also take the opportunity to go outdoors and perhaps make time for some downtime in front of the TV. For a special occasion, why not put on a movie night with blankets and popcorn.
The 205-page, colourfully illustrated guide also has a handy index of activities, all of which are engaging! Remember that play can be, simple.
Winne the Pooh said it so well: “We didn’t realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun”.
Tell us how many activities are included in Alice Zsember’s book? If your answer is correct, then you could win one of two copies of Real Kids, Real Play. Entries should be sent to [email protected] by Monday, 27 April 2020. Names of the winners will be announced in Frank Cassidy’s PS-sssst…! column on 28 April 2020.
