Playing is an action involving fun and learning in which a child willingly participates, while toys are tools they use while performing these actions. The profession of a child is the game he or she plays, and the skills learned during play will have an important function for that child throughout life. While playing games, children learn to deal with difficulties, mutual respect, and sharing early. Therefore, it is important to provide children with a variety of toys that will help them learn and grow.
Physical activity has a very important effect on children’s health and development. Lack of physical activity can lead to many ailments, and if the physical activity includes playing, its effectiveness increases even more. In this respect, game preferences that include physical activity are important. The movements that require effort such as walking, running, swinging, rolling, jumping, and crawling on the ground during the game strengthen the muscles and improve motor coordination. For the development of fine motor movements, carrying, grasping, writing, drawing geometric pictures with a pencil, cutting paper with scissors, playing with dough and sand, stringing beads, and eating suitable foods with a fork can be helpful. With the pleasure created by all these activities, children also develop cognitively.
Providing playgrounds where children can play comfortably and safely is essential in reducing the risk of accidents related to toys. All health-care components, especially pediatricians and family physicians, should take an active role in ensuring that these play processes, which are the most beautiful parts of childhood, are healthy and safe.
In addition to the physical activity habits of children who have contact with nature, their love for nature and animals develops in the early stages. At the same time, the depression and anxiety rates of children decrease and their sleep quality increases. Therefore, it is important to provide children with opportunities to play outdoors and experience nature.
In conclusion, the concepts of games and toys have a very important role in children’s lives. It contributes to the development of cognitive, motor, and psychosocial, emotional, and linguistic skills. It also plays a key role in raising self-confident, creative, and happy children. Therefore, attention should be paid to the concepts of games and toys, which are so important for the child to be a part of society as a healthy individual at every stage of his or her development. Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals all have a role to play in ensuring that children have access to safe and healthy play opportunities that promote their growth and development.
Further benefits of toys for children's development are:
- Social Development: Playing with toys can help children learn important social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with others. This can help them develop positive relationships with their peers and learn to work together in a group setting.
- Emotional Development: Playing with toys can also help children develop emotional regulation and self-expression. Through play, children can act out their emotions and learn how to manage them in a safe and constructive way.
- Cognitive Development: Playing with toys can stimulate children's creativity and imagination, and help them develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. For example, building with blocks or solving puzzles can help children learn about spatial reasoning and develop their logical thinking skills.
- Language Development: Toys can also play an important role in language development. For example, playing with dolls or action figures can help children learn about different roles and relationships, while playing with building sets or board games can help children learn new vocabulary and improve their communication skills.
