Imagination Deprevision

When Toys Take Over

The gist of the article discusses the cons of having too many toys. Children are overwhelmed and overstimulated. Back in our parents' day, and our parents' parents' day, toy were few, and cherished. What fascinated me the most about the article was the idea that too many toys stunt development, and that simpler toys initiate more use of the child's imagination.

A nursery in Germany would remove all those toys for 3-month periods, and watched the results; "Initially, the children were bored but by day two they had turned tables and blankets into dens and were absorbed in make-believe games. They became more imaginative and contented, and in the process learned to concentrate, communicate better and integrate more in groups."

"Simpler toys mean imagination has to do all the work. Minimal facial expressions on dolls, for example, make children bestow them with emotions and act out scenarios. Natural materials, like wood, stimulate their senses."

After reading the article, I wondered, how does this apply to adults? We may not play with doll anymore, but we still have video games, television, the computer, and our cellphones loaded with more apps that one could imagine! Where does this leave our imaginations?