The quintessential part of childhood is toys that are crucial for a child's overall development and growth. The toys impact their physical and mental development in a more interesting and fun mode. So, it is instrumental for the parents to keenly witness their child’s behavior before choosing toys for them.
A child learns the necessary vital skills of life through toys, games, and play.
There used to be a time when there were limited toys available in the market. As most of the games were outdoor-based and used to involve more social gatherings of friends. There is a change of style in a child’s upbringing with an ever-evolving society. Most of the parents are working therefore most of the children are raised in a daycare facility. Even at home also a child spends most of the time indoor-only having a few friends to play with.
In this present scenario, the selection of toys and the type of games for a child becomes very crucial. With the growing market, there is a flood of toys available in the market.
Toys are no doubt help to boost their cognitive and motor skills.
Open-ended toys like Legos, building blocks, play dough are some of the most engaging and helpful toys for child development. Recently, I got a chance to celebrate my 4-years old niece's birthday. I also tried my best to get the best gift for my little bundle of joy. So, I asked my sister to help me out in this regard.
She replied, “Please don’t bring any gifts for her, I am tired of her toy junk.”
Even then out of love, I got some educational gift for her, but seriously after opening, it seems of no worth. It was expensive and my niece used it for a single time and was thrown in the garbage the next morning. I asked a few of my friends also about their opinion on toys and birthday gifts. Almost all of them were unhappy with the toy junk.
Have you ever felt the same about toys???
You also feel there are plenty of choices available in the market and not all toys are valuable to the children. You all must have faced the situation, where your child is throwing tantrums in the toy shop to get the toys. From inside you know you are going to buy junk but can’t avoid the child’s tantrum.
Toys are important for a child's development but giving plenty of toy options can confuse them.
Birthday celebrations should be about friends gathering and celebrations. The gifts we get on birthdays are no doubt special but at the same time, excess toys will create toy junk at home. The best way to get a gift is to know about a child’s interests, challenges and then accordingly purchase the one.
On top of it, a new trend has started of return gifts. We buy cheap toys as we have to give them to many kids. Most of the time these return gifts are useless or can be hardly used once or twice. it’s a waste of time, money, and energy from the person who buys these and in the end, it adds up to your household junk.
How you can reduce toy junk at home?
It’s not that difficult to reduce toy junk it's just about taking some wise and mindful decisions.
Buy which is actually needed.
Buy toys that are sturdy, colorful, functional, and can be used in multiple ways to keep excitement even after a few months.
Toys should be selected to educate and for overall child's development.
Don’t do impulsive buying or forced buying when your child is crying for any particular toy which he/she see in the toy shop.
Whenever you buy a toy sit with the child and explain to him/her how to use it. It can be an educational toy or any other sensory toy.
If you are buying an expensive toy and your child is bored after few months or a year as it is no more challenging for him/her then donate it or pass on to your friends’ kids or relative if any.
Return gifts are wonderful tokens of appreciation to thank guests for gracing the occasion but select return gifts wisely. Something which is practical or can spread awareness like a plant sapling, seeds packets, cute jute bag, and many more.
Please let me know, about your experience of the same, it will be fun to read your experiences and stories.
Maybe your experience with toys was different than mine.
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