U-Play Mat

This is a guest post by Sandie Lee of Family Matters.

Looking for a fun, engaging and educational way to spend time with your child? Then look no further, the U-Play Mat is here.

Designed by Pediatrician (and mom of two sets of twins), Dr. Jennifer Canter, or Dr. Jen as she likes to be called, designed the U-shaped mat and accompanying picture cards “with the goal of enhancing interactive floor play between toddlers and parents.”

The U-Play Mat is a U-shaped, 4ft x 3ft deep mat with 15 large, clear pockets on its surface. The innovative “U” shape allows the child to sit inside the opening of the “U” with full access to the 15 pockets. Your child now has full visual and tactile access to the whole surface, without having to crawl atop the mat. The see-through pockets are child-safe and secured to the mat surface. U-Play Mat comes packed in a cute tote, with 8 outer pockets to store the cards in. Plus, a handy instruction booklet to help get you started.

To begin play sit across and engage the child in a variety of exercises using the adorable theme-based card decks, (ie. Food, Home, Play, Dress). There is no writing on these durable cards, so you can play/teach your child in any language. Here’s a look at some of the things you can do with U-Play Mat:

Exercise 1: Identification, works on receptive vocabulary

Exercise 2: Labeling, works on expressive vocabulary

Exercise 3: Matching Skills: understanding same/different

Exercise 4: Same

Exercise 5: Different

Exercise 6: Yes/No

Exercise 7: Wh’ Questions: ‘who, what, where, why, when; foundations of conversation

Exercise 8: Using More Words: improves on communication skills

Exercise 9: Making Connections; helps with recalling information

Exercise 10: Following Directions process information skills

For more information or to order your own U-Play Mat, please visit http://www.playthisway.com.