Anyone can tell you that people must have food, clean water, clothing, and shelter in order to live. There are other needs that are not as obvious. People need to be seen and heard by friends and loved ones. A child that has the basics but feels invisible will not thrive. A child who does not feel loved will not thrive. A child who is not allowed to express their emotions will not thrive.

I was thinking about how this time of year is full of wants and sometimes forgets the needs. Christmas gifts that fit both the wants and needs categories. Playing with adults helps children feel they are worth spending time with. They are important enough to be heard by adults.

Children may seem like they want anything with a screen. It is too easy to use that device to avoid other people and ignore their emotions.

Board games and card games: social interaction, encourages focus, following directions, language skills, helps children learn to win and lose gracefully and turn taking.

Building toys: skills from list above, problem solving, asking for help, helping others, coping with something not turning out as planned, perseverance, planning ahead, explaning idea to another person, cooperation.

Sports equipment: skills from above, bilateral movement, focus and coordination with catching and throwing, body awareness, physical activity, following rules or boundaries.

Art supplies: great for any age, can be used to draw or write about feelings, encourages trying new things, sensory experience

Some of my favorite games:

• Uno of any kind
• Connect four of any kind
• Spot it
• Blink
• Go fish
• Candyland
• Sorry
• Labyrinth
• Sling hockey
• lego
• magnatiles
• playground balls