How Many toys does a child need?

Toy Overload How Many Toys Does a Child Need?

Toys have a way of taking over. Of course, it starts innocently enough. As a parent you love your child and you want to make them happy. But before you know it, you find yourself knee-deep in discarded Lego and naked Barbie dolls. The children are bored; the house is a mess; no one is happy!

Toys are easy to come by these days. Equally, parents who cannot spend as much time with their children as they would like may try to occupy them with new toys or assuage their guilt with gifts. We may also feel a compulsion to buy our children things to show we love them, or equally powerfully, feel a desire for our children to have more than we did.

The reality though is that most families have too many toys. And sadly, more toys actually equals less play.

So why is this? Children are easily overwhelmed with choice, and a child who is unsure of what to play with often ends up playing with nothing at all.

But the problem is even more fundamental. Our obsession with flashy plastic junk has taught our children to be passive participants in play. Instead of playing with toys, they expect to be amused by them. And they are… for about five seconds. Then it is back to the toy box.

According to a study published in the journal Infant Behaviour and Development, an environment with fewer toys is better for children. The study observed 36 toddlers. Some were given four toys, and some sixteen. It was found that an abundance of toys actually reduced the quality of toddlers’ play. Fewer toys helped toddlers focus better and play more creatively.

And it’s not just about the quantity of toys. The quality is also factor. Another study by the American Academy of Paediatrics found that the best toys for constructive play are non-electronic ones: the ones that are simpler and support parents and children playing, pretending, and interacting together.

More and more families are taking a ‘minimalist’ approach to toys - cutting back on the clutter and focusing on quality over quantity.

With Christmas approaching, now may be a good time to consider this approach.

In the meantime, here are some tips to help you reclaim your play room or family space. Instead of toys… skating, dining out or bowling. train journey, , go-karting or a theme park. children from comics to specialist magazines covering everything from football to history. They will love regularly receiving one in the post! venue in your area, gift your child a membership so they can attend regularly. Some sporting clubs have special junior membership categories. astronomy. monthly delivery of creative goodies will keep on giving. enhance their skills doing something they love or want to learn. by Andrew Campbell

Tips for Toy Overload • 20 toy rule: ask your child to select 20 toys to keep. Store or give away others. • Start slow: children often resist giving up toys. If the 20 toy rule doesn’t work, start with one thing first. Talk about giving/donating and generosity. Prioritise binning the plastic junk, like Happy Mealtype toys! • Start Rotating: A well-organised toy rotation reduces clutter and encourages children to play with more toys. The available toys change regularly, so there’s always something new. • Display toys: Toys that can’t be seen go unused. Instead of stuffing them into baskets and bins, organise toys into several themed areas where they are largely on display. • Request alternatives: Ask friends and family to take your child on an outing, instead of buying toys. Request that grandparents keep toys they buy at their home for when your child visits. • 4 Gift Rule: Try the 4 gift rule at Christmas or birthdays. There are four categories: something they want, need, go to/experience,

ONE-ON-ONE OUTINGS: your child chooses an activity to do with you like EXPERIENCES: lots of possibilities including junior zoo experience, steam MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS: there are loads of great magazines for MEMBERSHIPS: if there's a zoo, aquarium, museum, theatre, or music BINOCULARS OR A TELESCOPE: throw in a guide to birds, wildlife or SUBSCRIPTION BOXES: whether it’s cooking, gardening or craft, the CLASSES: whether it’s dance, drama, art or athletics, your child can and read.

A SMALL FRUIT TREE TO GROW AND NURTURE: a lovely long-term gift.