Eyes wide and beaming with ear-to-ear smiles, a two year old boy and his
five year old sister ripped open their Christmas presents one by one. A
battery-powered doll that "sings", a new bike complete with flashers,
siren and lights, a battery-powered set of race cars that pits two vehicles
against each other around a closed track. Battery-powered lights flash, wheels
whirl and engines "roar" while an overhead banner counts laps with
colored lights and finally, declares a winner. It was a scene of utter joy on
the part of the children and parents alike. But wait. I was becoming a bit
leery of the scene unfolding before me.
"Does everything use batteries", I asked.
Apparently getting my point, the father nodded sheepishly in the
affirmative before laughing out loud. How much value are such toys in the
education of children and in helping to mold young, eager minds?
The two year old began to illustrate my point. He didn't want to simply
watch the red and black cars race around the tiered track. He wanted to play
with the cars. Snatching the red one up, he rolled it back and forth on the
floor in front of him ignoring the flashing lights and sound effects behind
him.
"No, no son", father responded, showing the boy how to turn on
the battery-powered car sounds. The child watched and listened, fascinated for
a few moments. Then, he'd have none of it.
he sounded again, the car back in his hand whirring across the cool tile
floor.
What is a Toy?/
Webster's New World Dictionary defines "toy" as "an
article to play with; especially a plaything for children." The key point
I want to make is that children play with or use the toy. They are not passive
observers. Toys should NOT be the kind that a child just sits and watches. They
MUST be "interactive" tools for children to have any true
development.
What Toys Do
Toys can provide numerous aspects and functions. Some of the more
important of these include:
o Stimulate role play and modeling of cultural behaviors
o Help to develop critical perceptive skills
o Help to develop and fine tune motor skills
o Directly stimulate right brain development of visual-spatial aspects
and color
o Aid in development of critical thinking
o Provide a channel for development of emotional intelligence
o Educate children in a variety of ways (which can be positive or
negative)
o Entertain young, developing minds
In considering what toys to provide for their children, parents should
allow for a variety of toy types and kinds. Modern toys as well as traditional
toys need to be available to permit a full range of emotional and intellectual
growth. Which toys are really "best"?
This actually depends on several factors such as the culture, practicalities
and the child himself or herself.
Traditional vs. Modern Toys
Traditional toys are still available in quantity because they not only
provide vital outlets for child development, but have survived the test of time
itself. Tops, Yo-yos, rag dolls, carved case and trucks, bicycles, skates,
rubber and other balls of every size and material, and the classic, age-old
wagon are examples of traditional toys. noise-makers are also included as
traditional toys. "Have you ever watched - and listened to a tot bang on
pots, pans, bottles, furniture and even the floor for, gasp!, hours on end?"
These need no batteries, sound effects or automatically-provided motions to be
highly effective, absorbing to the maximum a child's full attention span. They
work on some of the best power imaginable - the child's own mind. In Mexico,
wooden traditional toys have been all the rage for decades. Better-made, less
expensive and longer-lasting than most "electronic-based" and
battery-operated toys, they will likely continue to be so.
This is not to say that modern toys have no place. They do, and can be
highly effective as well - if judiciously selected based on the needs,
temperament, personality, mental development and desires of the child. Games,
dolls (with "active" elements) and scenarios like train or race car
sets can be welcomed and effective developmental toys for children when
combined with other types which stimulate play, imagination and aid in aspects
of the child's mental development. What are the best toys for your children to
play with? Know the personality, character and developmental needs of your
child and you'll be much better prepared to make successful choices.
Please feel free to e-mail me at the address below with any questions,
feedback or concerns you might have. For ideas on homemade toys for your
children you might like my article, "Fun but Simple Creative Toys You or
Your Kids Can Make" online at:
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