Play is seen as a natural part of childhood. It allows young people to explore their world at their own pace. They have a natural skill for playing in a way that helps them develop the skills they need and, given the chance, young children happily find ways to amuse themselves. They do not require a mountain of toys.
Despite this, the average amount of toys children own has significantly increased across the decades. Whilst your grandmother may fondly recall 3 or 4 treasured toys from her childhood, a British study revealed the average 10 year old in the 21st century owns 238 toys.So why is there a growing mountain of toys in most kids bedrooms and what effect, if any, does this enormous pile of playthings have on our children?
Many kids (including mine) probably have more toys than they need. Why is this? TV ads and the like, seduce kids into wanting lots of stuff. Kids covet the toy shown in the ad with flashing lights, digital images and sounds nowhere near as impressive in real life. Parents don't want to be seen as stingy, they delight in being able to delight their children with gifts. And why not? Toys are now cheaper than ever.
Before we know it our cupboards are fit to bursting with plastic figurines in all shapes and sizes, electronic gadgets whizzing and burring, multiples of basically the same thing, toys without batteries, lying forgotten.At the very least this excess of toys is a waste of money (it has been estimated that the global toy market makes an approximate revenue of over $80 billion a year). Environmentally it's not great either. However, some even argue this mass of unnecessary toys actually prevents our children from playing and learning in the way nature intended them to.
Some studies have shown that children who are given too many toys can get overwhelmed and actually play less than those with fewer toys. Childhood development researcher, Claire Lerner argues that children who are given too many toys, 'cannot concentrate on any one thing long enough to learn from it'. She also believes too many toys results in them not learning to play imaginatively.Others agree. Many experts suggest we limit the number of toys we give our preschool children to around two dozen, with the exception of books, for these the more the better.
They also think we should be considering the types of toys we give our children. Many experts believe that providing simpler, more natural playthings for kids such as conkers, shells and lengths of fabric stimulate creativity whilst toys that 'do a lot' rather than allow a child to 'do a lot with them' discourage kids from using their imaginations.
Veronica Moen, director of Myriad Natural Toys, tells us, 'Simpler toys means imagination has to do all the work. Minimal facial exp<b></b>ressions on dolls, for example, make children bestow them with emotions and act out scenarios. Natural materials, like wood, stimulate their senses." Bernadette Duffy, head of Thomas Coram Early Childhood Centre in London, advises parents to buy toys that need imaginative input from the child: Lego bricks, farm animals, simple dolls, good books.
Whoops! My four year old has lots of noisy, electronic toys, plenty of plastic tea sets, more barbies and Disney princess dolls than I can count, a baby doll that cries, one that crawls, one that sings, we even have one that speaks French and each doll has more outfits and accessories than my real baby. Basically, we have a big, plastic, expensive, noisy and unnecessary mountain of toys. Do I need to stress about this? Have I damaged my child?
I don't think so! I'm an eighties child. I had plenty of toys. I had a variety of Barbies' who all lived together in their Barbie Dream House, drove their Barbie cars, and constantly changed their many, many Barbie outfits (and strangely shared one Ken doll . . . that they would all fight over . . and yes, I do now watch the TV show 'The Bachelor'). Anyway, I had plenty of toys.
Despite this, I can remember the fantastic world of my childhood: my brightly patterned bedroom curtains and the morning sun revealing a new story and set of characters when watched closely; the pack of playing cards that transformed into the four dynastic families of spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds, constantly involved in elaborate feuds and sagas (and yes, my Mum let me watch Dallas and Dynasty); fairy crowns made from daisies; an intriguing trail of stones from the garden that would lead to secret, buried treasure.
And my child has a wonderful imagination too! I'm delighted when she reminds me about the magic that is going on all around us, invisible to adults! I reckon most kids imaginations burst forth despite a plethora of plastic playthings.
However, I have noticed that if I pack up most of my 4 year old toys, she more often that not reaches for a pen and paper or a book. She is more likely to create something or play with her sister or asks to go outside . . . All things I'm keen to encourage.
So it's decided, I'm limiting the toys on offer. I've gave a heap to the op- shop and the rest have been bagged up and stored out of sight. Only a small pile of toys remain (some of which I will swap with some of the stored items, after a time).Im also trying to unplug from technology and go outside more often. I'm offering the space, time and opportunity for my kids to engage in slow, simple play, to allow them the chance to find their own amusement, to be creative, to learn and most importantly, to have fun!
My four year old turns five next month. This will test my resolve. How much or little do I buy her and still make her birthday special? If you are doing something similar and especially if you have navigated your way through a birthday please share your ideas, there's strength in numbers.
Karen xxxx raisingakiwiprincess.com
P. S I am making free, printable, simple play kits for kids so watch this space. To receive regular articles and new play kits as they come out, sign up for the newsletter below and like my Facebook page. You can also follow me on Instagram.
Despite this, the average amount of toys children own has significantly increased across the decades. Whilst your grandmother may fondly recall 3 or 4 treasured toys from her childhood, a British study revealed the average 10 year old in the 21st century owns 238 toys.So why is there a growing mountain of toys in most kids bedrooms and what effect, if any, does this enormous pile of playthings have on our children?
Many kids (including mine) probably have more toys than they need. Why is this? TV ads and the like, seduce kids into wanting lots of stuff. Kids covet the toy shown in the ad with flashing lights, digital images and sounds nowhere near as impressive in real life. Parents don't want to be seen as stingy, they delight in being able to delight their children with gifts. And why not? Toys are now cheaper than ever.
Before we know it our cupboards are fit to bursting with plastic figurines in all shapes and sizes, electronic gadgets whizzing and burring, multiples of basically the same thing, toys without batteries, lying forgotten.At the very least this excess of toys is a waste of money (it has been estimated that the global toy market makes an approximate revenue of over $80 billion a year). Environmentally it's not great either. However, some even argue this mass of unnecessary toys actually prevents our children from playing and learning in the way nature intended them to.
Some studies have shown that children who are given too many toys can get overwhelmed and actually play less than those with fewer toys. Childhood development researcher, Claire Lerner argues that children who are given too many toys, 'cannot concentrate on any one thing long enough to learn from it'. She also believes too many toys results in them not learning to play imaginatively.Others agree. Many experts suggest we limit the number of toys we give our preschool children to around two dozen, with the exception of books, for these the more the better.
They also think we should be considering the types of toys we give our children. Many experts believe that providing simpler, more natural playthings for kids such as conkers, shells and lengths of fabric stimulate creativity whilst toys that 'do a lot' rather than allow a child to 'do a lot with them' discourage kids from using their imaginations.
Veronica Moen, director of Myriad Natural Toys, tells us, 'Simpler toys means imagination has to do all the work. Minimal facial exp<b></b>ressions on dolls, for example, make children bestow them with emotions and act out scenarios. Natural materials, like wood, stimulate their senses." Bernadette Duffy, head of Thomas Coram Early Childhood Centre in London, advises parents to buy toys that need imaginative input from the child: Lego bricks, farm animals, simple dolls, good books.
Whoops! My four year old has lots of noisy, electronic toys, plenty of plastic tea sets, more barbies and Disney princess dolls than I can count, a baby doll that cries, one that crawls, one that sings, we even have one that speaks French and each doll has more outfits and accessories than my real baby. Basically, we have a big, plastic, expensive, noisy and unnecessary mountain of toys. Do I need to stress about this? Have I damaged my child?
I don't think so! I'm an eighties child. I had plenty of toys. I had a variety of Barbies' who all lived together in their Barbie Dream House, drove their Barbie cars, and constantly changed their many, many Barbie outfits (and strangely shared one Ken doll . . . that they would all fight over . . and yes, I do now watch the TV show 'The Bachelor'). Anyway, I had plenty of toys.
Despite this, I can remember the fantastic world of my childhood: my brightly patterned bedroom curtains and the morning sun revealing a new story and set of characters when watched closely; the pack of playing cards that transformed into the four dynastic families of spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds, constantly involved in elaborate feuds and sagas (and yes, my Mum let me watch Dallas and Dynasty); fairy crowns made from daisies; an intriguing trail of stones from the garden that would lead to secret, buried treasure.
And my child has a wonderful imagination too! I'm delighted when she reminds me about the magic that is going on all around us, invisible to adults! I reckon most kids imaginations burst forth despite a plethora of plastic playthings.
However, I have noticed that if I pack up most of my 4 year old toys, she more often that not reaches for a pen and paper or a book. She is more likely to create something or play with her sister or asks to go outside . . . All things I'm keen to encourage.
So it's decided, I'm limiting the toys on offer. I've gave a heap to the op- shop and the rest have been bagged up and stored out of sight. Only a small pile of toys remain (some of which I will swap with some of the stored items, after a time).Im also trying to unplug from technology and go outside more often. I'm offering the space, time and opportunity for my kids to engage in slow, simple play, to allow them the chance to find their own amusement, to be creative, to learn and most importantly, to have fun!
My four year old turns five next month. This will test my resolve. How much or little do I buy her and still make her birthday special? If you are doing something similar and especially if you have navigated your way through a birthday please share your ideas, there's strength in numbers.
Karen xxxx raisingakiwiprincess.com
P. S I am making free, printable, simple play kits for kids so watch this space. To receive regular articles and new play kits as they come out, sign up for the newsletter below and like my Facebook page. You can also follow me on Instagram.