Why Wooden Toys are Encouraged for Educational Purposes

Nowadays, plastic toys, which are easy to mass-produce and are relatively inexpensive, are taking the world by storm. Some people may have the image of “something (gift) given at special times such as childbirth and birthday”.

It’s true that wooden toys, often hand-made by craftsmen, are expensive, so they may be difficult to buy. However, once you learn about the educational benefits of it, you will surely want to give more to your children. Therefore, this time, we will focus on “wooden toys” and explain their educational effects and appeal in detail. 

Wooden toys are primarily made from wood, a natural and durable material. These toys are crafted from various types of wood, including hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry and softwoods like pine. Wooden toys come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and designs, and they are often appreciated for their simplicity and timeless appeal.

What effect do wooden toys have on educational development?

1. Wood Education: Deepening your understanding of the ancient “wood culture”. Wood culture refers to the rich history, traditions, and knowledge of using wood as a versatile and sustainable material for various purposes. Deepening your understanding of wood education can encompass several aspects:

• Historical Significance: Explore the historical significance of wood in human civilization. Understand how wood has been used for shelter, tools, art, and more throughout different cultures and periods.
• Cultural Diversity: Explore how different cultures have developed unique wood-based traditions, such as Japanese woodworking, Scandinavian woodcraft, and Indigenous woodworking practices. Understand the cultural significance of wood in various societies.
• Educational Programs: Look for educational programs, workshops, and courses related to wood culture and woodworking. These programs often provide hands-on experience and opportunities to learn from skilled craftsmen.

2. Stimulates the five senses and nurtures concentration: Indeed, wooden toys have the potential to stimulate the five senses and nurture concentration in children.

Here’s how wooden toys can achieve this:

1. Sight: Wooden toys come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Children can visually explore the details of these toys, distinguishing shapes, patterns, and color variations. This visual engagement enhances their sense of sight and observation skills.
2. Touch: Wooden toys have tactile qualities that encourage children to touch and feel different textures, surfaces, and contours. The sensory experience of holding and manipulating wooden toys helps develop their sense of touch and fine motor skills.
3. Hearing: Some wooden toys produce subtle sounds when manipulated, such as the soft clinking of wooden beads on a string or gently tapping wooden blocks. These auditory cues capture a child’s attention and enhance their listening skills.
4. Smell: Although not as pronounced as other senses, wooden toys may have a faint natural scent from the wood itself. This subtle fragrance can add to the sensory experience and create a connection to the material’s origin.
5. Taste: While wooden toys are not meant to be tasted, they are generally safe and free from harmful chemicals. However, it’s essential to ensure that young children do not put small wooden pieces in their mouths, as they can be a choking hazard.

3. Stimulate children’s imagination: Another characteristic of wooden toys is that they often have simple designs. For example, if you look at building blocks, typical wooden toys, they can be round, triangular, or square. Although the name is “building blocks,” stacking them is not necessarily the only way to play. You can play it like a musical instrument, roll it around, and observe its movement. In other words, one of the strengths of wooden toys is that their simple design does not limit how they can be played with and stimulates children’s imaginations.

In summary, wooden toys offer children a holistic and sensory-rich play experience. They engage multiple senses, foster sensory exploration, and promote concentration through open-ended, tactile, and imaginative play. These toys can be valuable tools for enhancing a child’s cognitive and sensory development while nurturing their ability to focus and engage with the world around them. Children’s imaginations are richer than we think. It’s good to have your child play according to a set schedule, but sometimes it’s a good idea to give your child a toy that doesn’t have a set way of playing and leave it up to them.

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