Educational Toys
There is at least one thing that all cultures on our planet have in common, and that is the production and use of educational toys. The earliest written mention of a kids’ toy was from an ancient Greek reference to primitive yo-yos produced from a variety of materials such as wood, metal or even painted terracotta. Dating as far back as 2600 B.C., kids’ toys have been recorded in every civilization to the present day. Some of the first known kids toys were bits of wood and string patched together in the shape of a doll, complete with a wig and movable arms and legs. These were found in Egyptian ruins dating back thousands of years ago. Archaeological digs almost always find kids toys in the deposits left behind by ancient societies.
In nature, even, most young, adolescent mammals are known to play with their surroundings, often taking what they find and turning it into a toy of some sort, like the throwing of a rock or the banging of a stick on a tree trunk. Wild animals are even known to turn their food into toys of sorts, knocking it around and playing with it. Animals closely related to humans, such as gorillas and baboons, are regularly observed playing with tree limbs, leaves and other objects found around their homes.
From the human perspective, it’s not hard at all to understand why kids toys permeate the planet, and for good reason. They have universal appeal! Everyone was a kid once, and right now you’re probably thinking about one of your favorite toys you owned as a kid. Our toys are a part of who we are individually and collectively. The histories of entire civilizations can be seen through a study of its toys. Toys are essentially a “snapshot” of the era in which they were produced, from the clothing and style of the time to the occupations and social standards of its people.
In modern times, we have learned that the toys serve a vital developmental purpose in the growth of children, stimulating their brain and enhancing their cognitive ability, or their ability to problem solve, reason and make decisions. As science continues to show, it is during the earliest years of a child’s life that his or her mind is shaped most drastically. It is through the use of toys that the human brain develops faster and more robustly.
It is because of this discovered connection between healthy child development and the use of kids’ toys that the educational toy industry has flourished in recent decades. It is interesting to note, however, that even though many toys sold today are said to be “educational,” the truth is that in some way, every toy holds a measure of educational value, since all toys stimulate a child’s brain and promote cognitive development.
In conclusion, since educational toys have existed since the dawn of civilization, and even though one can look back through the annals of history and discover lost information about ancient civilizations and cultures, it is the smile that a toy brings to a child’s face today that matters most. Educational toys are important for all kids.
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