Why I Love Mr. Potato Head

BY ANGIE ARLINGTON

As an early childhood educator, I worked as a developmental therapist for First Steps many years ago. I found that many of the children were not into playing with blocks. I would show them how to make a tower and knock it down, but they were not interested.

Many times, I was asked what toys might be useful to help a child gain skills and my number one toy suggestion was always Mr. Potato Head. Why? Because of all the ways this toy can help any child.

Children build fine motor skills by putting the pieces onto the head and then “clean up” by putting them in the back compartment of the potato. Some of the kids I worked with were fascinated that the back could be opened and closed. They would try to put as many body parts as they could in it and then take them out again. Placing the pieces on different sides of the child can help them cross the midline of their body.

Cognitive learning is encouraged by sorting the parts by color or place on the body and by identifying all the body parts and matching them on their own body. Repetitive play along with songs kept the attention of many of the young kids I worked with. It was easy to incorporate sounds and words using the potato head like a doll during play. Cause and effect could be illustrated by trying to keep the potato balanced, so it did not fall over.

Pretend play is easy to conjure with more than one Mr. Potato Head. I have a whole collection of potato heads, body parts, and accessories. With all the different accessories available, a child could create different characters. I have used them to encourage having them “go” to the store, work, or play with another toy.

Mr. Potato Head has changed over 70 years; there are now many different outfits and accessories, family members, and other vegetable friends! Mr. Potato Head and all the parts can be cleaned easily. There are no batteries to be replaced. Parents can store the pieces inside the bodies or have a bag to keep them together. A child can play alone or with others when there is more than one potato. Plus there is no “wrong” way to play with a potato head; creativity is encouraged!