Toys that teach
S. MAHADEVAN
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With toys, the child is able to investigate, explore and experiment.
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Children probably have always played with toys. In the pyramids of Egypt and the ruins of Persia many dolls and toy animals have been found. In India, the festival of dolls has religious significance.
Understanding the role of play in a child's life and the value of toys in a child's development has come about only in recent years. Some toys stimulate emotional development. For example, crayons and pencils allow children to express their feelings, construction sets give children confidence in their abilities to accomplish things. Other toys help the child to develop socially. For example, group play with dolls or marbles, teaches a child how to get along with others. Toys like building blocks help develop physical skills, and educational and science toys teach new ideas and stimulate thinking ability.
Watching a child with his toys, one gets a deeper understanding of the meaning of playthings. With them the child investigates, experiments and explores. He handles, takes apart, puts together, builds and creates. With his toys a child plays out the scenes of his daily life, and with them he can have hours of wholesome fun. If this is to be, toys must be chosen rightly — that is what the youngster is able to do and like to do, and ensuring that he is the right age to use them. Toys need to be changed as the child grows. No one can say exactly what toys are right for any given child. Children differ, so do parents and homes. The general facts about child development help indicate the types of toys suitable for different ages. Toys must be chosen with care. Ensure that they are safe for the child. Children learn best by exploring and experimenting. Toys play an important role in the metamorphosis of the human mind.
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