No matter what lifestyle we choose to live, technology is everywhere. It’s part of our culture. But as parents, it’s up to you to decide how much technology and screen time you want to incorporate into your child’s life. My husband and I often find ourselves having to explain our choice to have a low technology home and only traditional toys made from natural materials. But the benefits for us are more than worth it! First, lets talk about why we have chosen not to use technology or plastic, light up toys with our daughter.
These toys are made of plastic. Yes, plastic is incredibly versatile. However, the same building blocks that make it so versatile are the same components that might harm children and the environment. The chemicals added to plastics are absorbed by human bodies. Some of these chemicals can have the potential to alter hormones or have other health effects. And 90-100% of humans have measurable levels of plastic compounds in their body.
Next, battery operated toys can also be stimulating – often over stimulating. There are flashing lights, loud sounds, songs that play on repeat and you’re left questioning, “Why doesn’t this thing have an off button?!” Well it’s more than likely your child feels the same way, leading to sensory overload. According to Bridgett Redman, overstimulated young children can easily get tired, overwhelmed, avoid eye contact, behave irrationally, cry more, and have more frequent meltdowns. The development of a child is already an emotional roller coaster, why overload their bodies and make it worse if we can help it?
Lastly, there have been studies that show a decrease in quality and quantity of language in young children who use toys that talk or light up. According to Neuroscience News, time that parents spend with their children is already limited due to many factors such as finances, work schedules, etc. Consider what happens when you place a toy in front of a child that can do all the talking for you! Now the time that a family has to interact has been limited even further. Therefore, parents are saying fewer words, having less conversations, having to respond less and less, and overall, children are living in environments where adults are talking over them instead of to them. The language environment for a child can have a huge affect on a child’s language development. If no one is talking to the child, how will they know how to have a conversation? They won’t! The child may not have adequate social skills and will learn to text or email instead of talking to or calling someone on the phone. Communication isn’t instinct, it’s a learned behavior. The ironic thing is that these types of toys are often marketed as toys that enhance language development, when in reality, a little bit of research proves otherwise. You can learn more about the effects of electronic toys on language development here.
Before we get into details of traditional wooden toys, lets quick touch on how children, specifically toddlers, learn best:
- Stimulating parent-child interactions
- Environments filled with language
- Toys or practical life activities that are engaging and encourage sensorial learning.
Let’s talk about all the great things that traditional wooden toys have to offer!
- Beautiful!
- More open ended, leaving more room for creativity and deeper thinking. This also
makes them more appealing to many different age groups. Plastic toys tend to be made for one purpose leaving a smaller window for creativity. - Have a pleasant weight with natural textures. This allows the child to be a sensorial learner, and creates a very enjoyable and tactile experience. (This is also great for children with developmental delays or sensory needs because it helps the child understand and feel their movements.)
- Encourages Imagination! The options are endless and their imagination can run wild.
- Eco-friendly and built to last. Not only are these toys made of natural materials, but they are strong and sturdy. So not only can all of your children use them, but they are also incredibly safe! No need to worry about sharp edges.
- Traditional wooden toys are quiet! Need I say more?
- Encourages problem solving – since wooden toys tend to be more general in terms of shapes and sizes. Children have to problem solve in order to get the object to fit into certain scenarios.
- Promotes interaction and conversation with others.
