Momma Stuff

“Play is a natural activity for every young child. Play provides many opportunities for children to learn and grow—physically, mentally and socially. If play is the child’s work then toys are the child’s tools, and appropriate toys can help children do their work well.” This is how a governmental guide for selecting suitable playthings described the importance of toys.

Of course, the main reason why toys are so popular is that they are fun to play with. Still, their contribution to a child’s development is noteworthy. Think of the following examples: When a child pushes a toy cart, he strengthens his motor skills. When he skips rope, he improves his coordination. When he stands on one foot to kick a ball or when he rides a bicycle, he learns balance. And when he builds with blocks or paints pictures, he learns to control his movements in a precise way.

What about the child’s intellect? Language skills are developed when a child’s play includes singing and rhyming, perhaps doing so while jumping rope or playing a game of tag. When a child builds a block structure, follows the directions to a game, matches the pieces in a puzzle, acts out stories, or plays with dress-up clothes, his thinking and creative abilities are also stimulated. The same happens when he plays musical instruments or works with art and craft materials.

No less important is the way that play helps children acquire social skills—how to interact with others—as when they team up to play ball games. Says Dr. Bruce Duncan Perry: “The child gains an understanding about those around him and may become more empathic and less egocentric. When playing with peers, children learn a system of social rules, including ways to control themselves and tolerate their frustrations in a social setting.”

Children also use toys to imitate what they see adults doing. The Greek philosopher Aristotle said: “To imitate is instinctive in man from his infancy.” Yes, many of the activities of daily life are imitated and thus learned in children’s games. We can easily picture a little girl rocking her doll to sleep, just as she may do much later with a real baby. Or perhaps she may prepare make-believe dishes for a meal with her little friends. Similarly, boys move their “automobiles” around, even reproducing the sound of the motor, practicing for real driving. However, there are factors that should be taken into account when selecting toys for your children. Why?