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Once again, it’s that time of year! Most people’s favorite holiday, and perhaps most children’s favorite time of year, is here.
When my parents asked what we wanted for Christmas, my sister and I would each offer them a list of five items never more. I was too young to comprehend why we would only receive only one item from the list, rarely two. The majority of the time, the present was something linked to the outdoors. A bicycle, roller skates for example, or a set of basketball-specific footwear.
It all makes sense now that I have my own children. My frugal parents were never big on having a lot of toys. With my children, I continued the tradition.
The Wife and I wanted to see what to expect from the kids this Christmas season while having dinner last weekend, because it varies every year. We asked everyone to make a list of five things they’d want to receive for Christmas. Surprisingly, just one physical toy made the cut, and I’m totally fine with that.
What is the reason behind this? I’m happy you asked.
Allow me to explain why having less toys is beneficial to your child:
Table of Contents
Too Many Toys Are A Waste Of Money
It’s not for no reason that $4.6 billion has been spent alone on children’s advertising. These major toy corporations know how to capture our children’s interest and lead us to spend our money just because they see something they enjoy.
When my daughter, Chloey, was seven years old, I went through this. She watched the Hatchimals Mystery Egg TV commercial and decided that this $89 item was all she needed for her birthday. Even though I was hesitant at the moment, I allowed my emotions lead me to believe that doing so would make her extremely happy.
Of course, I was mistaken; she was only interested for about a week before she lost interest. All she wanted to do was feel it for herself. She went back to playing with her old toys.
According to research, children play with the same subset of toys.
We give and toss away toys every year during the Spring cleaning season, I presume to make place for new ones. As they mature, I can claim that the weight is becoming lighter. It’s generally things from other family members, not because we buy them a lot of toys.
The amount of money spent each year on kids advertisement:
Photo by Statista
Children Improve Their Social Skills
Kids like playing with their peers when they have a restricted number of toys. They form a unique relationship with the grownups. They have a lot of questions for you. That’s quite typical.
In today’s sophisticated environment, children no longer have the opportunity to play freely. They appear to want to run home to their gaming console and play for the rest of the day. It’s a far cry from the days when we used to play outside.
Socialization benefits children physically, psychologically, and in terms of learning how to live in the real world.
Quality Takes Priority Over Quantity
Static toys cause mental tiredness in children, much as automobiles and wardrobes do in many adults. Open-ended materials, such as building block sets and cardboard fosters, will provide greater enjoyment to children than anything that you just switch on, wait for it to perform what you already know it’s supposed to do, and then turn off when you’re done.
When children are deprived of toys, they will find other creative ways to stay entertained. Kids like examining their surroundings and scanning what piques their attention. They’ll make their own imaginative situations out of anything they can find. The majority of the time, all they need is your engagement.
Reading And Writing Becomes More Enjoyable
Because of their curious inclination at this age, fewer toys encourage them to acquire new skills and stories. They will be able to communicate more freely as a result of this. When my son is unhappy about something and I am not around to encourage him to communicate verbally, he will scribble a letter and put it on my desk. And, I’ll do the same sometimes. It’s a win-win situation for the both of us.
That being said, begin as soon as possible since this might turn into a regular practice with several benefits. Spend less time staring at a screen, for example.
Kids Become Less Self-Centered As They Become Older
Children who have fewer toys appreciate the opportunity to share. They have a strong desire to preserve and value what they have. They don’t throw tantrums when they don’t get their way, unlike children who receive everything they desire.
Final Thoughts
I’m not saying I don’t like toys. Let’s be clear about it. In a child’s world, I simply feel that having too many toys is unhealthy. Yes, they become happy when they acquire a new toy, but if you look closely, you’ll find they only have a few of the same toys around them. As a result, keep the number of toys to a bare minimum.
Now let me see where I can get a good and affordable electric hoverboard. Do you have any recommendations? Also, I’d like to hear from you about your Christmas wish list.
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