What is a Good Toy
Toys come in all shapes and sizes, complex and simple, good and bad. There are many different types of toys, and in different situations, different toys can be more or less appropriate for use in a play program.
Certain toys (e.g. balls, bats) are standard equipment in play, being able to be used for a wide range of activities. Other toys (e.g. building blocks) can be used for free play by individual children, or perhaps social play with pairs or groups of individuals.
Some types of toys relate to certain types of play.
- Sporting gear facilitates sporting activities
- Dress up clothes are used for imaginative play
- Shovels, spades and other things are used for playing with sand
- Water toys are used for water play.
Consider -What is a good toy?
- Is it safe?
- Is it free of stereotypes of race and gender?
- Does it encourage sharing or cooperation?
- Does it nurture non violent conflict resolution skills?
- Is it appropriate to my value system?
- Is it worth the price?
- Does it help develop or strengthen skills?
- Does it teach children to use their power and skills in a positive way?
- Does it stimulate creativity?
- Is there a less commercial and more creative alternative?
- Is the packaging truthful and not excessive?
- Is it well made and able to withstand heavy use?
Types of Toys
Here are just a few:
Equipment (consumables)
Certain equipment is consumed (i.e. used once only) in certain types of play. Paper, pencils and paint are typical examples of play consumables. The play leader needs to be aware of and understand the options for consumables. The amount and type of consumables used will affect the budget. The play leader should consider supply, and be sure that adequate supply of appropriate consumables is in place. Virtually any type of craft, art or cooking activities will require supply of consumable materials.
Tools
Many types of activities require tools. Painting not only needs paints but also paint brushes. Building needs not only nails, but also hammers. Cooking needs not only food but also cooking utensils.
Naturally occurring items
Play materials do not always need to cost money. Children can be very creative with things that can be found in nature. Things can be built with branches, logs, sticks and rocks. Firewood can be collected for a camp fire.
A good play leader can look at the world about them and find all sorts of things that can be used by children for play.
Good toys must first and foremost, be ones that do a good job in facilitating play. They need to be matched to the child who uses them though. The right toy in the right hands does a good job; but toys that are mismatched with the child are not going to get used properly or to their full potential.
