What Makes a Good Plaything?

No amount of planning and equipment can replace genuine love. But a versatile piece of sturdy equipment that matches the developmental needs of the child—not a number of flimsy, highly differentiated ones—will be your helper in loving support of the child and will see you through thick and thin.

Simple

Simplicity is the key. Children’s playthings should as free from detail as possible. Where details are built into his toys, a child’s own ideas cannot find full expression. And the reverse is true—the more unspecialized the toys, the more creative and absorbing the play. Unit blocks, one of the most essential pieces of equipment for the preschooler, are perhaps the best example of open-ended playthings. These permit a child to create as he wills, with the next step determined by him, not by the structure of the play material. The young child’s natural curiosity and interest are held best with a toy offering a wide range of play possibilities. A unit block can represent a phone, a camera, a piece of cake, or even a baby. Compare that to, say, plastic food items often found in the housekeeping area. A plastic fried egg can never be anything but a fried egg, and thus its play possibilities are seriously limited. Construction sets, clay, sand, and paints are also simple materials that allow the imagination free reign.

Involve the Child

A good plaything should involve the whole child—body, mind, and spirit. Such a toy will stimulate children to do things for themselves, encouraging development. Educators should be wary of electronic games and gadgets which make the child a passive spectator; they may entertain for the moment but have little or no play value. True toys encourage children to explore and create, or offer the opportunity for dramatic play. Materials that only allow the child a passive role are not tools of play, but objects of diversion.

Age Appropriate

Good playthings support the physical, social, and cognitive growth of children, and match their developmental needs. Young children need large, easily manipulated playthings. Toys that are too small can be a source of frustration because the child is not yet able to handle smaller forms and shapes. Toys of appropriate size develop a child’s large and small muscles, and encourage eye-hand coordination. Playthings should be simple enough for a child to comprehend. Simple toys strengthen a child’s understanding and experience of the world around him, and promote exploration and self-confidence. Open-ended playthings, such as blocks, build social skills such as negotiation and compromise, and develop cognitive skills of language and grouping.

Durable

To endure the kind of use a roomful of children can give them, play materials must be sturdy. Children love their playthings, and should be able to depend on them. Playthings should convey a message of quality. They should be constructed from top-quality natural materials, and be crafted with care. Wooden playthings embody the sturdy longevity a child’s toys should have. Wheels should be able to stand up to heavy wear, with tough bearings and steel axles. Playthings which do not last are educationally, as well as economically, unsound.

Functional

Playthings need to really “work.” What frustration when a cupboard door won’t shut, or the wheels on a truck stop turning! Children feel insulted when given “kids’ stuff.” The tools at the workbench should be genuine tools, not cheap copies sure to break on a real job. Likewise all hinges, casters, wheels, door knobs, and handles should be “real,” of high quality industrial construction, designed to take the beating which is the reality of play.

Safe

The safety of a plaything is of utmost concern. Consider the material the toy is made of, its design, and how cleanable it is. Quality products should meet tough indoor air quality standards. Wood is natural, freeing us from the nagging fear of toxic chemicals that accompany plastics. Designs, too, must be safety-conscious, with carefully rounded corners and edges, wood that doesn’t splinter, and wheels that won’t pinch. Items should be stable and secure without small openings to catch fingers or limbs. Lastly, consider how easily the toy can be cleaned. Are spills easy to clean up? Will it resist dirt? Play will always involve some element of risk, but good equipment will minimize it.

Economical

The play value and durability of a plaything should be taken into account when comparing prices. A higher initial investment often proves more economical because equipment does not have to be replaced repeatedly. The durable, well-designed plaything not only outlasts cheaper toys, but also fulfils the above-mentioned criteria for good play equipment.

Beautiful

We are all delighted by beauty, but did you know it can actually help you achieve your educational goals? In order to progress developmentally, a child must feel safe and secure. A classroom environment that is soothing and reassuring—a place of beauty—can help children relax and learn. The beauty of natural wood is calming and restful. It brings to mind trees and rain, sunlight and wind. Surround the children you love with beauty.