Hearthsong, the toy division of Madison Brands, is giving away $25,000 in scholarships to commemorate its 25th anniversary. It’s a sweepstakes entry, requiring you to give your contact information in exchange for a chance to win prizes. The contest runs from August 11, 2008 to December 31. The winner will be picked in January 2009. I actually came across this contest while reading about a survey the company commissioned that found over 60 percent of US parents play with their children less than an hour a day. Most of that time is spent with games or toys, followed by unstructured play and outdoor activities. Although most parents cite the benefits of play being that their child can learn to interact with others. Other, less frequently mentioned, reasons that play is good include its positive effects on child development, including improvement of motor skills, problem solving, creative thinking, imagination, and a sense of accomplishment.
