Wooden toys have been around since Greek and Roman times and have not changed much in these present times. For example, a Greek wooden toy horse was found in an ancient tomb somewhat similar to the pull-along toys of today. Rattles are also one of the oldest toys ever found.
This just goes to show that old is gold, as the saying goes and despite having advanced so far, we still rely on the tried and true method of wooden toys which remain popular till today. This may be because fundamentally, the way children play and learn has not changed after all this time which make wooden toys a great option over digital toys.
More recently, German manufacturers began to sell wooden toys to the public, however after the war, there was a sharp decline in sales as plastics became cheaper to produce. Fortunately, wooden toys are making a comeback due to their sustainability and the public’s awareness of the green initiative. More importantly, wooden toys teach children in ways that electronic ones can never do.
Benefits of Wooden Toys
Wooden toys are traditional and real to the touch. They hold sentimental value especially if saved from generations past and can be passed down to children of the future.
Wooden toys like stacking blocks help aid a child’s motor skills and sense of balance. They are also environmentally safe and inspire children to learn through play.
- It is suggested that learning and playing in a natural environment help with concentration and focus as well as calm a child when they connect with wood through touch. This has a neurological impact and allows for cognitive development in a child through a quiet and sustainable play environment in an age where children are being overstimulated and absorbing all kinds of information at a rapid pace.
- Children can get overwhelmed by having too many options of toys and less is more when it comes to featuring a small but effective selection of wooden toys that promote a deeper quality of play. Because playing with wooden toys can be interpreted in a variety of ways, children spend a longer time with a particular toy.
- Overstimulation of electronic toys has caused children to want instant gratification, pushing on a button to get what they want immediately however wooden toys have the opposite effect. They encourage creativity in a child, forcing them to use their imagination in a meaningful way and helping with problem-solving skills. Wooden toys also teach children about cause and effect. For example, if a child bangs a block, it creates sound. Because wooden toys are so simple, it allows a child to play on their terms and explore at their pace. Other toys provide instruction on how to use them whereas wooden toys are purely a blank canvas.
- Wooden toys teach children so many things including physics and object permanence calmly and quietly all while introducing the physical world to them. Children learn that a ball rolling downwards or blocks can come crashing down when stacked too high as simple physics. Toys, in general, are one of the first things a child touches, puts in their mouth or plays with and it introduces a very real setting as to how the world works.
- Wooden toys are the original STEM toy as they require dexterity, hand-eye coordination and refining motor skills while supporting recognition of patterns and shapes. They must use their coordination and balancing skills to figure out puzzles and blocks.
- Wooden toys are beautiful and lasting. They tend to be donated or handed down due to their durability. Wood is also extremely safe for babies and toddlers. They can be painted, stained or just left the way they are which is beauty in itself. Wooden toys are also a good fit for the play environment at schools as they tend to be easy to put away, look neat and clean and are stackable.
Different Types of Wooden Toys and their Benefits
- Rattles awaken a child’s senses and develop their grip. Because of the different textures and silicone chewable sleeves, rattles like this relieve a baby’s teething.
- Puzzles are challenging and exciting! They refine a child’s motor skills as well as increase their spatial awareness. Puzzles like the Wooden Balancing Game are a fun way to entertain children for hours.
- Building blocks are a great way to encourage a child’s math and motor skills. For example, the Stacking Toy allow the discovery of shapes and stacking them sizes or according to colours.
- Unlike remote control cars, wooden vehicle toys ignite a child’s imagination in the world of play pretend. Children can role-play for hours with products like the Weekend Car that is safe for children of all ages.
- Pull toys develop a child’s motor skills and are portable to take anywhere. Kids can pull on the ribbon to make it move forward and the brightly painted colours and unique design makes for a perfect pull along toy.
- Playsets like kitchen and toolkits are a fun way for children to mimic their parents. They can use their imagination or what they see adults do to play pretend. The Wooden Tool Suitcase keeps items neatly stored away making for easy cleanup and transport.
- Musical instruments like this xylophone help children develop rhythm, musical awareness as well as stimulate motor skills and coordination. It also easily fits into a child’s hands and has a lively illustration.
So don’t forget to indulge in these wonderful wooden toys for children that are both beneficial and have amazing qualities that will help in a child’s development.
