Toy time
With Christmas just days away, we look at inductees in the Toy Hall of Fame and the importance of play.
The National Toy Hall of Fame is part of the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y. The Hall of Fame accepts nominations from the public year round, but to be inducted, a toy must be approved by historians and educators with background and appreciation of learning and play. Nominees are rated in four categories, though they don’t have to rate highly in all four to get in:
Icon status: Toys that are widely recognized and respected
Longevity: Toys that are not a fad and have had popularity over several generations
Discovery: Toys that foster creativity and learning
Innovation: Toys that change the ways we play or have groundbreaking design
You can nominate a toy at: museumofplay.org
You can learn more about all the inductees here.
What makes a good toy?
Susan Dichter, an author and teacher, gave the following criteria on Leapfrog.com for what makes a suitable toy: “A good toy is one that is fun for your child and suitable for age, developmental needs and personality. Generally, it also has one or more of the following qualities.”
Inspires active play: “Kids need to do something — push, pull, dissect, build — with a toy. If the toy does all the work, then it loses its appeal after the first half hour. That is the reason kids so often destroy mechanical toys.”
Is sturdy and well-made: “Shoddy toys only frustrate, encouraging kids to destroy, not create.”
Lends itself to more than one use: “Toys that are designed to be played with in only one way inhibit imagination and creativity. A simple cardboard box can become just about anything your child wants it to be (house, car, store counter, boat, bed), and it can be pushed, pulled, crawled into, driven or painted.”
Challenges but doesn’t frustrate: “A toy should be just on the margin of the child’s growing capacities.”
Playfulness at any age
In the words of author George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Play can boost your energy and vitality and even improve your resistance to disease, helping you function at your best.
Here are a few benefits of play from Helpguide.org, a well-being site:
Relieve stress: Play is fun and can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Improve brain function: Playing chess, completing puzzles or pursuing other fun activities that challenge the brain can help prevent memory problems and improve brain function. The social interaction of playing with family and friends can also help ward off stress and depression.
Stimulate the mind and boost creativity: Young children often learn best when they are playing — a principle that applies to adults as well. You’ll learn a new task better when it’s fun and you’re in a relaxed and playful mood. Play can also stimulate your imagination, helping you adapt and solve problems.
Improve relationships and your connection to others: Sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, trust and intimacy with others. Play doesn’t have to include a specific activity; it can also be a state of mind. Developing a playful nature can help you loosen up in stressful situations, break the ice with strangers, make new friends and form new business relationships.
Sources: The Strong National Museum of Play, National Toy Hall of Fame, American Journal of Play, helpguide.org
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