Nawaal Deane
Choosing a toy that is politically correct, educationally based, functionally and physically stimulating, that is non- satanist and does not perpetuate aggressive, violent behaviour are criteria most parents consider. But their children just want to have fun … and keep up with their classmates.
The Mail & Guardian asked the experts how some of the most popular Christmas gifts fulfil these requirements.
PlayStation: R1000; PlayStation 2: R7000
The PlayStation has ushered in a virtual world of video games complete with graphics and sound effects, and ranging from the violent to the educational.
Dr Patricia Jansen, a psychology lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand, warns that PlayStation games if not monitored may have a negative effect on children because they are prone to act out what they see. “If the only games a child plays are the violent ones then it is likely that the child will behave more aggressively.” The distinction between reality and fantasy becomes blurred if a child is not told that the characters aren’t real.
These games are not necessarily damaging but anything in excess is not good for a child. Parents should restrict the amount of time and monitor the content of games.
On a more positive note, says Jansen, a Play-Station helps develop a child’s ability to strategise and plan. Cognitively, the child is stimulated in solving problems. There are many edu-cational games for toddlers that facilitate their coordination and teach them to follow instructions. The interactive ability especially fascinates toddlers because they believe the characters are communicating directly with them.
Barbie Doll: R229 to R320 for Princess Barbie
A deluge of articles have lambasted Barbie for perpetuating an unrealistic standard of the female body. The day when Cellulite Barbie hits the shelves may not come in this lifetime but she does sport a cute belly button with flared hips. The manufacturers of Barbie also entice little girls with the accessories to keep Barbie in the style to which she has grown accustomed. “Little girls look at their mothers and other females around them. These competing influences make the effects of Barbie dolls less negative,” says Jansen.
Benjamin Gorman, in an article “Toys are us”, describes Barbie as a cultural object that expresses human beliefs: “Barbie met the fantasy of young girls. With her exclusive wardrobe and handsome boyfriend, Barbie allowed girls to play at fashion and deal with the process of growing up.”
Jansen says ethnic dolls teach children diversity so they can accept different appearances. “Only gay boys play with dolls” is one misconception that Bales puts right: “Boys and girls will traditionally prefer to play with certain types of stereotypical toys but it is no reflection on their sexuality at that stage.”
Guns: R20 to R200
Controversy surrounding toy guns has led to numerous debates. Jansen points out that buying your child a gun raises the assumption that guns are a solution to solving a problem. “The child learns that he can shoot people with a toy gun and must realise that it is only ‘pretend’,” says Gorman.
Most researchers disapprove of guns and war toys, blaming them for contributing to the aggressive behaviour of children. “Play- ing with war toys legiti- mises and makes violent behaviour acceptable. The degree that youngsters are learning to take pleasure from aggression decreases their abili-ty to learn empathy, negotiation and cooperation,” says Dr Arnold Goldstein, director for the Centre for Research and Aggression at the University of Syracuse.
Robotic dog Tekno: R499,99
This robotic dog claims to perform functions similar to a real dog and more. It can be taught to do a card trick and sing and dance. It wags its tail, has a nose and mouth sensor and fully functional limbs. Unlike a real dog, this robotic version can be taught to say its name. “I don’t see any functional benefit from this toy,” says Jansen. The robotic dog gets a “thumbs down” because it fails to give children the sense of responsibility that comes with having a pet. It can be discarded when the child gets tired of it. Children will not learn to be gentle or to love animals with all their nuances.
Baby Born infant doll: R429,99
Infant dolls have always been a popular toy with little girls wanting to imitate their mothers. The manufacturers promise that “you can play with Baby Born just as you would with a real baby”. Baby Born squeaks with delight and cries real tears. This toy receives the approval of the experts because it teaches nurturing, although it can be viewed as a tool for the socialisation of girls in society. The price of the doll is a bit steep and generally any doll without these added functions will have the same effect.
Educational toys
The general consensus is that educational toys are not effective if they are not fun. Educational toys become ineffective if they are not supervised. Most schools have a range of educational toys with teachers who supervise the play, so at home it’s okay not to bombard the children with educational-based toys.
“If you focus on the educational aspect of toys you are not allowing the child to be spontaneous,” says Bales.
Super hero outfits
Most children want to act like their favourite cartoon character and that is where dressing up like them becomes very important. “Dressing up allows the child to stimulate his or her imagination,” says Jansen. The child’s social skills are enhanced and it contributes effectively to physical activity.
Pokmon and Teletubbies
The branding of certain toys as “satanic” mimics the warnings in the 1980s about the dangers of the “Cabbage Patch Kids”. Parents should make informed choices on what toys they buy without being too obsessive. Jansen logically points out that anything in the extreme is not good for a child. Parents need to be aware of the content to make an informed decision.
This Christmas there are many toys on the market to choose from. “Parents should take a moment to select a toy critically but also to listen to their children’s opinions,” says Jansen.
Despite parental fears and hyped warnings, any nega-tive psychological impact of toys is minimised if parents are involved and supervise playtime activities. It is the physical structure of the toy that can do far more damage. Many children are rushed to hospital after swallowing parts of toys not suitable for their age group. Parents need to be aware of the age restrictions on toys and the health hazards, especially when they have toddlers with older siblings.
Gorman sums it up: “The best toy is one that continually gives the child room to interact with it, to engage his imagination, to develop his skills, to enlarge his or her own mental and creative avenues.” Let children be children.