So, if you’re asking yourself, “How many toys should a child have?” Chances are, you are already onto something. In truth, kids benefit from having fewer toys, and you can benefit from creating intentional (and minimal) play options for your child.
When holidays and birthdays offer friends and family an excuse to buy an excess of toys, I have to mentally prepare myself not to let the frustration show when it’s time to unwrap presents; I don’t mean to be ungrateful, but when it’s about quantity rather than quality, it always tends to seem like someone’s trying to buy our kids’ esteem.
I’ve noticed that the gifts with the most longevity offer kids more open-ended, creative play. And when I find the motivation to purge our filled-to-overflowing toy bins and baskets, the kids seem much more at peace with playtime.
Have you ever really watched your children when they’re enveloped in the experience of play? Fully immersed in another world, our daughter’s style leans towards the concentrated silence while our older son gets super chatty, but it’s clear that this is what play should be; interactive, hands-on, engaging, easy, immersive, fun.
Famed educator Maria Montessori once said, “Play is the child’s work.” Parents are coming to understand this better; that play isn’t a frivolous way to get kids out of their hair.
– Children can focus better with fewer distractions. – Kids also appreciate the toys they have and are more likely to care for them.