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Toys for Infants and Toddlers
December 21, 2009
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
-Jimi Hendrix, 1942 – 1970, American musician
As grandparents, Bonnie and I are concerned about all the glitzy electronic toys being promoted for infants and toddlers today.  What happened to good old blocks and balls?  So we are pleased to share with you the Infant & Toddler Play, Toys & Media ACTION GUIDE developed by Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment (TRUCE).  The guide spells out why quality play is so important and what types of toys support healthy play.  And, it includes some specific recommendations of toys for infants and toddlers.  The introduction describes how creative play is being challenged today:
  • Infants and toddlers are spending many hours in front of a screen.
  • Many toys are marketed as educational when in fact there is no evidence to prove it.
  • The increasing number of electronic toys, games, and DVDs often turns our infants and toddlers into passive players whose main activity becomes pushing a button.

That's right, Exchange's Value of Play CD Book includes over 100 articles from Exchange and the HighScope Foundation covering these issues...

  • The Purpose of Play
  • HighScope Perspectives on Play
  • Advocating for the Value of Play
  • Play in Practice
  • Taking Play Outdoors
  • Play Materials

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Comments (3)

Displaying All 3 Comments
Edna Ranck · December 22, 2009
Washington Child Development Council
Washington, DC, United States


OMEP-USA, NAEYC, and World Forum members and advocates have worked for six years at NAEYC Annual Conferences and several World Forums to bring positive information about film/screen literacy for young children and for the adults who live with and care for them. Is it time for publications about films & screens, both positive and negative? The trend has been to criticize the film and screen worlds without demonstrating the contributions they can make both to children and the adults involved.

Laura Lancaster Faulk · December 22, 2009
St. David\'s Episcopal Day School
Austin, TX, United States


Thank you, this article and the website link are great. It says very well what we try to get across to parents everyday. Anything like this that can stress the importance of healthy play is appreciated!

Margaret Watkinson · December 21, 2009
Topsham, ME, United States


As a grandparent and early childhood teacher (and parent educator), I recall that the best example of what to give is what keeps children engaged on multiple levels. My grandmother gave books, blocks, simple toys. no glitz. They were the ones my children continually never tired of. So, as a grandparent faced with the glitz and new task of working to convince (all) parents, I have to remember that I'm working against Saturday morning marketing. How can we do this? we have to include WITH our gift of wooden car and/blocks, or table and chairs, or chalk and slate- from Community playthings or the local art store, a narrative (written and/or verbal) about how many ways the children are developing, and why these play things are superior. Parents WANT to go with simpler, they can't rationalize why. Or, for those who choose glitz, they too need to know WHY the glitz wears off. Children need to engage across domains on multiple levels. when they do, no one can argue with the success of the engagement. Watching does not engage, it is entertainment. Do we want children to be 'entertained' or do we want them to take responsibility for the effect of their actions on the toy or material. Keep giving the boring, natural materials that kids love. You can wrap them up in glitzy paper and bows for the 'sparkle' effect.



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