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It’s that time of year when we need to make room for brand new products and merchandise, especially with the 2012 New York Toy Fair buying show coming up in February. That means we got to make room for new stuff, so we are having a “CLEARANCE SALE”! We have lots of merchandise that is on clearance, some items discounted well beyond 50% off. Games, toys, radio controlled, dolls, doll houses, plush, Thomas items, the list goes on and on and on. Save Big, First come, First served!!!

All clearance items are final sales, no return, no exchange. Clearance merchandise is only available at our stores, not available at our website.

Yet many families experience a let down after all the gifts are unwrapped and all the must-have toys are assembled or plugged in or filled with the required number of size AA batteries. The same child who asked over and over for that heavily advertised ultra-popular toy plays with it for a while…then quickly loses interest.

Is there any antidote to this pattern of children desperately wanting particular toys, only to get bored by them within hours or a couple of days of unwrapping them?

One solution starts with changing the focus when you are selecting toys for a child. It’s not about what advertising has convinced the child he or she must have. It’s about thoughtfully selecting a product that fits the child’s developmental level and true interests. If the toy is a good fit with strong play value, it won’t end up in the flash-in-the-pan pile at the bottom of the toy box.

Here are several suggestions for choosing toys that can hold a child’s attention.

Focus on the play, not the toy. Rather than evaluating the features of the toy, think about the features of the play that the toy will encourage. Said another way, good play—and the likelihood that a child will maintain interest in a toy—is about what the child can do with the toy, not what the toy can do.

Find products that let kids make up the story. Look for toys that leave room for the child to use her imagination. Though it may seem to adults that electronic gadgetry in a toy or connection with a television character makes it more interesting, often the opposite is true. Toys with minimal “bells and whistles” engage a child more fully because she gets to make up the story and the play routine all by herself. And what child doesn’t like that?

Give gifts that foster different types of play. When you are shopping for holiday gifts, think about assembling a group of toys that offer a “balanced diet of play” that will encourage a child to use and explore all parts of himself: his developing muscles—both the large running around and climbing ones and the smaller, more refined hand muscles; his brain; his growing speech and language skills; and his ability to play well with others, to be compassionate, and to solve problems.

Consider limiting television, especially around the holidays. Time for free play is a wonderful and healthy alternative to television and by avoiding its constant barrage of advertising, parents can help control the holiday “gimme’s.” Many communities have an array of fun family-oriented activities around the holidays that can also divert children from focusing on the toy of the moment—and keep them more open to more engaging play materials that fit their developmental levels.

Provided By Susan J. Oliver, Tropomedia
This information is provided on behalf of the toy experts at School Crossing

As a child, nothing compared to the enchanted feeling of shopping for toys at your local toy store. Gazing with wonder at the aisles of exciting choices…holding your new toy for the very first time…anticipation building inside you as you finally took your new gifts home.

On November 12, School Crossing will join over 500 stores across the country to celebrate the second annual national Neighborhood Toy Store Day.

“When you shop at an independent toy store, you are entering a universe of play possibilities,” explains Kathleen McHugh, President of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA). “Neighborhood Toy Store Day is about celebrating the role the local store plays in the community.  We are highlighting the expertise your local store has in selecting just the right toy to help your child grow and learn through play.”

As part of the festivities, School Crossing will unveil ASTRA’s 2011 “The Best Toys for Kids Award List” and offer children’s crafts, give-a-ways, and drawings on Saturday, November 12 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

“It’s very important for consumers to understand the uniqueness and outstanding quality of toys found at their local toy store versus a national chain,” McHugh stated. “Many of the toys you see at independently owned toy stores are not advertised on television and are mostly made by small manufacturers.”

From October 24-31, get $10 in School Crossing Bucks for every $50 spent in store and online on all regular priced merchandise!

  It’s Easy as 1,2,3,4:

(1) Spend $50 or more. You’ll get $10 in School Crossing Bucks for every $50 spent. (2) The School Crossing Bucks you earn online will be sent to you via mail. (3) Take your School Crossing Bucks to your nearest School Crossing Store, 11/1 – 11/7*. (4) At checkout, your School Crossing Bucks will be deducted from your purchase total!

School Crossing Bucks increases with each $50.00 purchase and are issued in $10.00 increments.

THE FINE PRINT:

*REDEEMABLE ONLY IN STORE TUESDAY 11/1/11-MONDAY 11/7/11 BY THE INDIVIDUAL NAMED ON THE SCHOOL CROSSING BUCK CERTIFICATE. School Crossing Bucks is not legal tender. No cash back. Customer will receive a $10 School Crossing Bucks for each $50 in single transaction purchases. Multiple receipts cannot be combined as a qualifying purchase. School Crossing Bucks is earned on the amount of customer purchases after all applicable discounts are applied and before tax is imposed. Eligible customer purchases include sale-, regular- and clearance-priced merchandise, but exclude the purchase of Gift Certificates. Offer can be redeemed with any other offer, but cannot be redeemed for cash. Redemptions of School Crossing Buck must be used in its entirety; unused increments are forfeited by the customer. If School Crossing Buck is lost, destroyed or stolen it will not be replaced. School Crossing Bucks will be applied prior to percent-off total purchase discounts. School Crossing Bucks may not be redeemed (1) to reduce customer’s School Crossing Charge or any third party charge account balance; (2) as price adjustments on prior purchases; or (3) to purchase Gift Certificate.

If merchandise purchased earning a School Crossing Bucks is subsequently returned or price adjusted, the value of the School Crossing Bucks previously earned and/or the amount of the merchandise refund may be reduced to reflect any unearned value. Return value of merchandise purchased with a School Crossing Bucks may also be subject to adjustment. Offer is nontransferable.

“Story Truths” is a Christian-based story time for preschool-aged children (ages 2-5) and their parents. Children will be read stories, emphasizing Biblical truths in a simple and fun way that they can understand. Location: Williamsburg Community Chapel, Resource Center in the East Foyer.

Fridays through December 2^nd at 10:45 a.m.

Williamsburg Community Chapel – 3899 John Tyler Highway, Williamsburg, VA  23185, 757-229-7152

We would like to help answer some of the common questions new parents have, while also providing them with coupons, discounts and fun tools for their little ones. 

With the help of pediatricians, educational businesses and local opportunities for children, we are putting together “New Parent Goodie Bags”. These bags will be passed out weekly to new families attending Sentara’s Breastfeeding Support Group and other parenting classes. For more information contact The Kensington School. The Kensington School 3000 Easter Circle, Williamsburg, VA 23188, (757) 645-2047, www.TheKensingtonSchool.com .