whether a parent trying to make the most well informed choices on everything…but in particular toys, or a loving and thoughtful loved one who wants the gifts and toys they buy to be educational, safe, affordable, durable, and overall helpful, this article will help guide you in the direction of choosing the best toys.
plastic toys are all the rage. they vary in interest, color, technology, access, and pricing. all which has made wooden toys look and appear dated. like the vintage goods in my shop, i am committed to debunking the typical assertion of popularity. what’s in, isn’t always what’s best.
wooden toys offer a classic and traditional elegance that makes playing both vast and pointed. their minimal detailing outside of the shape it imitates, encourages imaginative and creative play that will help you hear and see the thoughts of your little one with more clarity. the noises, voices, sounds, lights, and gadgets associated with the plastic toy industry have their obvious benefits, but also can be distracting, overwhelming, and limiting or exceeding the developmental stage of a child’s play.
creative play focuses on skill and instead of lights, gadgets, and the instant gratification of hitting a button. the inherent pace of wooden toys helps build concentration. children typically can learn about the relationship of cause and effect by 9 months old. they’ll quickly find that tapping wood makes noise, which will further encourage exploration, imagination and other possibilities with these kinds of toys. really, they’re less distracting to children and their caregivers. they can make noise but only produced by hand. they can sometimes be retractable, but otherwise promote calmness and less overwhelm and are goal oriented. the simplicity is alluring to children and despite the lack of graphic detail, they are still drawn to the shapes and texture of wooden toys. wooden toys are arguably the more attractive toys. they are aesthetically designed and simplistic in nature which is great for both kids and families.
there are no right ways to play with wooden toys. wooden toys teach and help children understand shape, weight, and volume.
wooden toys are durable and long lasting. they are less likely to break and compared to plastic toys, include significantly less pieces. because they are unlikely to break, they are cost effective and also can be saved and passed on to other children, donated, and played with longer, making them environmentally sustainable. families with multiple children love the idea of being able to pass toys onto to younger siblings. being able to keep toys in the family or sustainably in the world, is a huge contribution. when plastic toys break as they frequently do, they end up in the garbage and in the landfills. sadly enough, that’s where many toys go even just after a playroom clean out. please think twice about the toys you buy, their longevity, and where they will go once they’re discarded of. quickly, the better they’re made, the longer they last and the less harm they will do to the earth and to our pockets.
i’m making a conscious choice to leave out any arguments about the big C word. i believe that most parents have a value and commitment to safety for their children, and no matter what toys they choose, they are not directly aiming to harm them. the big C issue, is one of manufacturing and capitalism, not of a parenting. be informed, but don’t worry too much. there is so much we do not know and there is no need to cause a frenzy. wooden toys, take some of the concern away. if you are anxious, cautious, or doing your best to simply be well informed and not interested in reacting to every recall that can’t be controlled, give wooden toys a try. you deserve the peace of mind.
in other terms of safety, size is also a huge benefit for wooden toys. there are no little pieces that can’t be ripped out of a child’s mouth with the quickness. the edges are rounded and smooth and the toys in the un dot shop are HUGE. oversized, eco friendly, sustainable, functional, and lots of cute cute cute fun. check out the un.kids collection for wooden toys & more!