Are Wooden Toys Really Better Than Plastic?

The answer to the question above is yes. Wooden toys come in a lot of forms. There are wooden building blocks, jigsaw puzzles, rockers, rattles, dolls and doll houses, toy cars and ships, and many more. They don't move, don't talk, don't require batteries, but in more ways than one, classic toys fashioned from good ol' wood are better than toys made from plastic or metal.

Here are reasons why.

1. They are safe.

Toys made from plastic, metal, and even synthetic fabrics can pose unseen dangers to your children. Many of these mass-produced plastic toys are made of separate little components that, more often than not, can be easily yanked off and become potential choking hazards for little children. A lot of them also make a lot of noise, which can produce high levels of noise and expose the ear to hearing damage. On the other hand, wooden toys are noise-free and, when made properly, are free from lead, mercury, and other toxic materials found in metal or plastic toys.

2. They encourage imagination.

Unfortunately, battery-operated toys are much like TV, the movies, video games, and the Internet. They entertain the kids for a little while then afterwards they become boring. Why is not surprising to see a pile of toys left un-played with in one corner of your child's room? With wooden toys, kids visualize. They imagine. When they play with wooden kitchen sets, they see they are cooking real food with their toys. When they ride a wooden horse rocker, they feel as though they are real cowboys galloping on a real horse

3. They are more durable and easier to maintain.

Haven't you noticed how flimsy plastic toys can be? A little joshing around and you will notice that a few pieces are already missing from the main structure of the toy. Wooden toys, well, because they are made from wood, are more hard-wearing than any plastic or foam toy you can find anywhere. Thus, they also last longer, which makes them cost-effective and better for your budget. And because they have lesser parts than most battery-operated toys, they do not break down easily and it is easier for kids to put them away properly.

4. They are naturally educational.

Battery-operated toys usually leave the hands of your children to sing, dance, fly, or whatever its manufacture intended it to do. Wooden toys, on the other hand, stay where they are and children have to touch them, pick them up, and hold them for them to be able to play with their toys. Touching and feeling are two ways by which children learn. They naturally involve themselves with the toys because they engage the senses for long, unlike with battery-operated toys that usually become dull and uninteresting after the first few times they take a flight or speak out their programmed lines.

5. They are beautiful.

Admit it. Toys made from wood have a warm and welcoming aesthetic appeal that no toy made from plastic, metal, foam, or any other synthetic material can ever give off.

The Role of Play in Children's Learning

Play Time University?
A child does not need to learn to play, but he does need to play to learn. From the earliest age, children are fascinated by the world around them and they desire to interact with it as much as possible. The utilization of miniature versions of things the children see in the adult world can give the child a way to explore how the real world works. It also can be a great tool to help a parents evaluate what messages they are conveying to their children as they see how their children interpret what they observe with their parents.

Look out for toys that will help your children develop skills that will prepare them for life, teach them to engage the creative process, and give you a fun opportunity to become part of their world in a fresh new way.

Understanding the importance of play in the development of children's lives, you should take the opportunity wherever possible to make choices that will stimulate learning through the joy of play.

When planning your next birthday party, you could choose a themed party such as a pirate party or a fairy party, and then incorporate exciting events in your party that will help the children understand a little about the significance piracy has had on the history of the world or how the magic of fairies can be lived through children and adult literature. We can help with party bag fillers that might include pocket money toys that simulate pirate booty. Or perhaps you might prefer to simplify your life by purchasing pre-filled party bags that will make your child's party more memorable for all attendees.

A great way to spend quality time with your child is to choose toys that will naturally benefit from your guidance. An origami set could open your child's mind to explore the origins of this unique form of art. A build-your-own periscope kit can help you teach your child about how mirrors and reflections can be used as tools. Wooden finger puppets can be used to teach your child how to create stories and express idea. Simple musical toys can introduce a child to the language of rhythm, harmony, and rhyme.

Felt boards, puzzles, and even baby dolls, when given the proper direction, can be invaluable in the development of a child. The limits are found only in your and your child's imagination and creativity.

Toys are never supposed to be simple time filler, baby sitters, or toy box stuffers. They should be carefully selected to add quality to the life of a child that will follow him through all of his or her days. Be purposeful when choosing toys. As they are outgrown, recycle them into the life of another child, so old toys do not overwhelm the environment. When you start taking toys seriously, they will help your child to flourish in ways you can't even imagine. Play smart!