Jan. 5, 2008 - The Purpose of Toys
Lately I have been thinking about the purpose of toys. I used to think that their purpose was simply to occupy children. If that was accomplished then their purpose was fulfilled. But, should that really be enough?
Douglas Phillips, in his audio CD What's a Girl to Do?, makes the following statements,
"Every moment of a girl's life, every single moment, counts for God...play, recreation...all of this stuff has to be Christ-honoring. It should specifically be geared toward helping a person prepare for life's purpose. Every single bit of it."
"We should not allow in play life what God would not allow in real life."
I am going to keep these thoughts in mind as I weed out the girl's toys and consider new purchases. What kind of toys do I really want to encourage?
For some practical suggestions, Titus2 has an article called Worthwhile Toys or Should It Be Tools? which I found helpful.
P.S. Dear Sister-in-law, I have not gone psycho and thrown out our Polly Pockets and Barbies. When you visit, we still have a plethora of purposeless toys for everyone to play with. 
Comments
Jan. 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mom25girls
But why are they considered purposeless (Polly Pockets, etc...)? They have great purpose in the world of imagination. Just listen to them play and hear them repeating the words and tones that we use with them. They are copying us and using the toys as a way of processing and exploring their world. Are they really useless? Girls play with dolls with purpose...do they have to be rag dolls b/c they make us feel like they are more worthwhile? Think about the worlds C.S. Lewis created through his vivid imagination that he attests came through his childhood play with his brother.
Jan. 5, 2008 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>
Posted by Murdockb
I think that the marketing of Polly Pockets is what made me think of them as purposeless. "Ooh, let's go shopping. Aren't I beautiful? Look at my stunning wardrobe." Really, that's what they are about. But, you're right, the girls don't play with them that way but instead enter their own realm which usually involves an English accent. And, that is why I haven't thrown them away. And won't. But, had I to do it over again I would have encouraged the purchase of Playmobil (which they love) over Polly Pockets. It's not that Polly Pockets or Barbies are evil, I just think that they are better alternatives.
Edited by Murdockb on Jan. 5, 2008 at 9:14 PM