Or rather… Why play and toys are so important for kids!

1. Every Child has the right to play

• Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.

2. Play is essential to children reaching their potential

• Play has been shown to be important to healthy brain development. It is the way that children learn a whole lot of tasks and skills, such as developing imagination & dexterity, as well as physical, cognitive and emotional strength. It helps them explore the world in a safe way, growing confidence and resiliency while providing experience in sharing, negotiating and resolving conflicts with others.

3. Toys are the ‘tools’ for play, but not all are equal

• The category of ‘toys’ is very broad. The best toys are ones which encourage children to use their imagination fully. These ‘active imagination’ toys are often old favourites such as construction toys, sensory toys, dolls/figurines and roleplaying toys (although they may be modern updated versions of these).

4. The opportunity to play with a wide range of different toys is important

• While children often have favourite types of play or toys, having access to different types of toys is beneficial, ensuring children have the opportunity to develop a broader range of skills or even to creatively mix favourite toys with new ones to extend play and learning further.

5. Play has benefits for parents too!

• When parents play alongside their children, it helps strengthen their relationship with each other, as children love having their parents’ full attention on an activity they enjoy. It also gives the adult a chance to see their child’s world and learn more about how to interact and communicate with them more effectively.

6. Play between adults and children is most beneficial when the child leads.

• Play is the perfect activity to give your child the chance to be in charge! Children will be more active in play when they are leading, rather than following an adult’s direction.

7. Play should be fun!

• There is a famous quote by Diane Ackerman that ‘Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning’. While play is a serious business for children, we learn from it effectively when it is also enjoyable and fun.

The Toy Library Howick and Pakuranga aims to give parents in our community a cost effective way to access a broad range of toys to maximize their children’s play time. Find out how to Join Now!

References (see, we didn’t just make it all up!):

Kenneth R. Ginsburg and the Committee on Communications, and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health (2007). The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds. Available at:  http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/182.short

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Convention on the Rights of the Child. General Assembly Resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989, Article 31. Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx