Traditional toys, not flashy gadgets, serve children well in their growth – Research

An array of wooden toys, Image Credit: Pratheep P S, www.pratheep.com/wikimedia

Play is not a break from learning but a way of learning for children.  A wealth of lifetime advantages is the reward for playing with toys as a child. Toys have existed in our society from ancient times, as long as toys have existed, they have reflected the cultures, society, activities and have played imperative role in the development of the children’s physique and mind.

Toys excavated from the Indus Valley civilization (3000-1500BC) are wheel cart Rattle and Dice etc. Gaming in Mohenjodaro-an archaeology of unities Elkerogersdotter found that every 10^th item found is related to play.

Children learn by playing and toys are the instruments that allow them to discover the world they live in. And this is precisely why they interact with their surroundings through toys. In addition to that, toys provide plenty of enjoyment and happiness, both of which help build their self-esteem. When children play with toys, this helps them to understand the benefits and importance of co-operating and the need to follow rules, and it also contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.

Selecting toys for children, parents tend to focus on price, safety, and the child’s age. But another significant and often overlooked consideration relates to the kind of play that can results from the toy. The quality of the play is what truly matters, and this is most directly correlated to how simple or complex the toy happens to be.

Interestingly, simple toys provide more play opportunities to children than complex or any electronic flashy toys. Parents want their children to succeed. And these days, toy store shelves are filled with various branded toy products. The manufactures are increasingly positioning their products as vital to optimizing intellectual growth. Child development experts, however, have their doubts. No studies exist, to show that any of the toys or videos give children an intellectual edge over playmates who stick to old-fashioned building blocks and baby dolls.

Burr Puzzles, Image: Meronim/Wikimedia 

According to a new study done by the “The American Academy of Pediatrics (APP)” that simple toys hold the most benefits for children. They warn parents against filling their toy box with flashing lights and gadgets. These media-based toys, like videos, computer programs and electronic toy iPads may even be detrimental to development because they lead children to focus on memorization rather than imagination and problem-solving abilities.

Although these toys are very entertaining, but they make the child a passive observer. Child should engage with the world, if the toy does everything, it sings, beeps and shows pictures, what does the child have to do by himself.

Sidra Khurram, 34, a mother of three children shares the conclusion. She feels that “electronic toys can be compelling with their lights, sounds and moving images, but they don’t challenge their brain and also lack two important aspects of play for young children imagination and connection. Simple toys support parents and children playing, pretending, and interacting together.”

Children can engage in pretend play with characters, like dolls, animals and figures. Pretend play can help children learn to use words to imitate, describe, and cope with actual circumstances and feelings. Dr Verda Dar, 38, Developmental Psychologist said, “I believe that simple interactive toys such as wooden toys, puzzles and stuffed toys catalysts creativity in kids, build resilience, and even foster problem- solving skills. Therefore, don’t fill up your child’s day with non-stop electronic toy gadgets, whenever they are bored. Allow them to explore, think and imagine.”

A teddy bear, Image: thepeachpeddler from Pentagon Area,/Wikimedia

Problem- solving is another aspect of child development that toys can facilitate. Playing with blocks, clay, crayon and puzzles help them to develop their fine motor skill, spatial awareness and early math skills.

Toys that are highly structured can also get in the way of pretend play. For instance, these days play farm toy have animals that talk. So, the kids are less likely to make the sounds themselves. The less complicated the toy, the more flexible it is.

New electronic toys cost more than the traditional simpler toys. It is time for parents to become more educated consumers and make wise choices for their kids in terms of buying toys. Children’s skills develop best when they play with their parents, so pull up your sleeves and grab some toy food. Get ready to engage your own imagination to help your child develop theirs.

Simple toys promote independence, creativity, critical thinking. The more the toy does, the less your child is doing- both physically and mentally.