Initially, the toys had one task - to help the child in the knowledge of the surrounding world, teaching and developing it. For example, playing with dolls, the girls were preparing to become future mothers, and the boys mastered the role of the breadwinner with the help of wooden bows. In the development of society, toys underwent changes: materials changed, toy analogues of household items appeared, and their aesthetic appeal increased. And today the toy industry has reached its heyday: what kind of toys are not on the shelves of children's stores! That's just what is behind this variety - the desire to develop children or commercial benefits? The benefits and harms of modern toys, as well as their impact on the child's psyche, will be discussed later.
Toys - a mirror of society
It is foolish to deny the fact that the objects around us are a direct reflection of our reality. This statement is also true of toys. A rare modern child does not have a toy phone or tablet, let alone countless machines and other equipment. It would seem that there is nothing wrong with this - interacting with such toys, the kid imitates the behavior of an adult, and therefore learns.
But there is one problem: in pursuit of increasing sales, manufacturers are trying to maximize the toy to its real counterpart. Not only can the children's tablet not be distinguished from the "adult" visually, so it is also stuffed with a huge amount of electronics. All that is left for the child is simply to press the buttons and get the programmed result. No development of the imagination, lack of play activity, as such, and in addition, sensory overwork of a fragile nervous system. Not surprisingly, children quickly get tired of such toys, and the apartment gradually turns into a kind of "Children's World." There is a way out - buy the most simple toys that leave room for imagination. These are classic cubes, designers, sets for creativity.
Distorted images: truth or myth?
But fatigue and sensory overexcitation simply "flowers" in comparison with the main threat that modern toys can carry. It's about imposing distorted images. Remember how a few years ago a scandal erupted around the most famous doll in the world - Barbie? It seems like a study was conducted, the results of which shocked the public: the "ideal" image of Barbie pushes girls to the path of anorexia.
Allegedly, by its unrealistic forms for a healthy woman, it provokes the appearance of complexes that cause girls to go on a diet and starve. However, no accurate data were provided for this "study" of the public. Enough and sensation in the media: sales fell sharply, the popularity of the image has decreased, and parents have begun to protect children from the "horrible" dolls. And few people were awarded a simple analogy between the decline in the popularity of Barbie and the emergence of new dolls on the market, which they began to buy instead of her and which in appearance did not differ much from the stellar blonde.
Happy childhood with the right toys
Of course, the toy is a certain image, a template, focusing on which the child learns to live emotions and build relationships. And if this image itself carries an incorrect message, for example, aggressive or sexual, then parents need to be attentive. But, for example, with regard to the same Barbie, the issue of her negative influence on girls is rather controversial.
Firstly, the doll herself and her carefree life echoes the images of fairy princesses. But neither Snow White nor Rapunzel, each of which has an attractive appearance and is waiting for his prince, does not blame the imposition of distorted images. You can even say that Barbie is a modern interpretation of a beautiful princess. Secondly, the main tool that influences the emergence of the child's personality is to a greater extent not the doll itself, but play with it. The same image of Barbie can also be used to interest the daughter with sewing or cooking. As an option, there are many video games in which the famous blonde teaches not only cooking wisdom, but also other important "women's" cases. Examples of such games can be found here. Third, do not be lazy to play with the child and explain to him simple truths. The game is an ideal activity for learning and controlling the development process. The conclusion suggests itself: not a toy - evil, but the meaning that we put into it. Talk with children and teach them to distinguish reality from imaginary images from childhood. And then no toys can not hurt your kids!