Toys play a significant part in a child’s development. Choosing the right toys for your babies and toddlers can be a daunting task. Parents are bombarded with a myriad of toys, all vying for attention and screaming “Buy me!” These playthings, labeled as educational, are peddled to moms and dads every day.
Most child experts, however, agree that the most useful toys are those simple ones. These are often open-ended toys that allow children to make use of their mental and physical faculties the most. The more they use their minds and bodies to make something work, the more they learn.
Back to basics
A recent study published in Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics found out that electronic toys are associated with decreased quantity and quality of language input. Traditional toys like puzzles, shape-sorters and blocks are preferred to encourage learning, especially in the field of language development and childhood literacy.
Moreover, the use of natural wooden toys for babies and toddlers has multifaceted benefits. Aside from giving children a rich sensory experience, natural-made toys also provide comfort, warmth, and a healthy standard upon which kids can base their sense of aesthetics.
To further nail the point of why eco-friendly wooden toys are best for growing children, here are five simple reasons:
1. Wooden toys are more durable.
Well-made wooden toys from reputable manufacturers often last a lifetime. There are still companies that have been making these handmade knick-knacks for over a hundred years using natural materials such as sheep wool and mohair. This means that well-cared-for and much-loved wooden toys can be made into family heirlooms, their sentimental value preserved.
Tiny hands can be mighty strong and toys can break easily when handled by little ones. Wooden toys tend to be harder to break compared to flimsy plastic ones. They are also almost always easier to repair and glue back together.
2. Wooden toys have more texture.
Children have a more tactile experience when playing with wooden blocks, puzzles, shape sorters, and the like. Well-constructed wooden toys have a pleasant weight and feel.
Kids, who are naturally curious, have a better opportunity to explore them. Sensory play can help kids develop their language and fine motor skills as well as encourage them to learn how to examine, discover, categorize and make sense of things around them.
3. Wooden toys enhance creativity
Wooden blocks can be a fort one minute then a train the next. Early learning toys such as puzzles and shapes can be very versatile when it comes to playtime. They can be made into anything and everything that your child can think of.
With the varied ways these open-ended toys can be used, your child will have more freedom to explore and enjoy. Because of these toys’ versatility, they also create an equal opportunity for children to play along. They do not need to subscribe to or watch the same shows just so they can play with each other. Their creativity and imagination will expand and will not be hindered by “ready-made stories” provided by most commercial and character-based toys.
4. Wooden toys are educational
Most toys of this type often offer an educational or developmental slant. Wooden cubes, letters, numbers, construction and building pieces can develop spatial awareness, problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, shape, color and letter recognition, and fine and gross motor skills.
Playing with blocks may also aid in early childhood language development.
5. Wooden toys are safe
Compared to plastic toys which are much easier to break apart – hence a choking hazard – skillfully made wooden toys are much more sturdy. Most handmade toys also do not have sharp edges or ends so there’s less chance for kids to be hurt while playing.
Recycled, organic or environment-friendly toys are also normally free from harmful chemical substances. These naturally sourced toys are made from non-toxic materials or use non-toxic paint or colorants. Some organic toys even go as far as using oil-based and plant pigments, which can be healthy and safe options for kids.
It’s not just child’s play
Children play with toys, but it is the parents’ foremost responsibility to choose the best ones for their children. With the wide selection of toys in the market, it is easy to fall into the trap of buying any item that catches our children’s eyes.
However, it is more prudent to stand back and think about which ones will best benefit them in the long run. It is not just the colorful façade, bells and whistles that matter, but the real educational value that they provide.
AUTHOR BIO
Sreeya Patil Wiesner is the founder of EcoToys in Dubai, UAE. She started her online toy store with an aim to provide healthy, safe and eco-friendly wooden toys to kids 0-6 years of age.
