Plastic Toys: Why do we buy them?

Millions of dollars are spent every year by well meaning parents purchasing plastic toys for their children. ;Besides being cheap and easy we are continuously coerced by advertising campaigns to believe that we need these products and that they are beneficial for our children. The purchasing of plastic toys however is a case of “buyer beware.”

Plastic toys contain phthalate, a petroleum based chemical that is commonly added to plastic to make it “flexible”. In some studies this chemical has been linked with liver and kidney damage in animals. We would never consider adding phthalate into the food chain yet it remains in its highest doses in our soft plastic toys such as tethers. While many countries are banning the use and production of phthalate in plastics, countries such as Australia and America continue its use and importation, knowing of the dangers.

Plastics are difficult to recycle, emitting toxins during the recycling process. Six of the ten worse environmental toxins are directly related to the plastics industry including dioxin, a chemical directly linked to cancer and other health problems. Plastics also contain lead which becomes more toxic as a toy ages.

What do children learn from plastic? They learn how easily appearances deceive. A plastic train, a plastic duck - it all feels the same. Light and empty. ;Where do they learn the sturdiness and strength and heaviness of a train when it is plastic? They don't. ;Where do they learn the softness and delicateness of a duckling when it is made of plastic? They don't. Imagine the difference for your child to hold and play with a solid wooden train or
to hold in their hands a delicate fleece duckling. This is just one example of how little a child learns from physically holding and interacting with plastic toys. Let alone the frustration for them when they are continually breaking!

And what happens when they drop a plastic cup or toy? ;Nothing happens. Nothing happens to the child or the cup. The child does not experience a consequence or reaction. Imagine if your child were given a cup made of porcelain or glass and they dropped it. What a noise, what a smash! The child would learn a greater lesson in cause and effect, in being careful and gentle. He would learn and begin to appreciate what we have and value it more with care. For indeed how often have we heard ourselves say, "Oh don't worry, it's only plastic, it doesn't matter." We are raising children who do not care, do not value their toys and belongings. We wonder why our children are becoming more nonchalant and disrespectful.

Plastic is cheap and easy, a fantastic symbol of the times in which we live. ;Is this really what we want for our children? Consider also the crayons and pencils that your children readily put in their mouths. There are only a couple of brands available that are non toxic.

Natural and simple toys inspire creativity and imagination for children as well as giving lasting and loving memories. When a child creates play from their own imagination the implications of this learning manifest in every aspect of their being from intellectual capability, social interaction, balance, co-ordination, analysis and creative thinking. ;There is a growing demand for natural and simple toys as more and more child psychologists and specialists are beginning to recognise the importance of playing with natural and simple toys which are fundamental to the healthy growth and development of children.