The concept of “less is more” applies aptly to the number of toys infants and toddlers have. Research and expert opinions suggest that having fewer toys can lead to numerous benefits in the development of young children, touching on cognitive, social, emotional, and motor skills development.
Cognitive Development
Fewer toys encourage deeper, more focused play, allowing children to engage more thoroughly with each toy. This focused engagement can enhance creativity and imagination, as children are not overwhelmed by choices and can explore the full potential of each toy. A study by the University of Toledo found that toddlers given fewer toys engaged in longer, more creative play sessions than those with more toys[5][9][13][25][29]. This suggests that a minimalist approach to toys can foster better cognitive development by promoting sustained attention and imaginative play.
Social and Emotional Development
Children with fewer toys learn to develop better social skills through enhanced interactions with peers and adults. They learn the value of sharing, cooperation, and collaboration[1][5][9]. Moreover, having fewer toys can lead to children becoming less selfish and more appreciative of what they have, fostering a sense of gratitude and contentment[1][5][9][25]. These social and emotional skills are crucial for healthy development and future relationships.
Motor Skills Development
With fewer toys, children are encouraged to be more physically active and engage in a wider variety of play types. They might turn a simple object into multiple play scenarios, thus practicing different motor skills[5][25][29]. For instance, a single ball can be used for throwing, rolling, kicking, and more, each activity developing different aspects of a child’s motor skills.
Activities for Infants and Toddlers
Given the benefits of having fewer toys, it’s important to consider activities that can replace toy abundance. These activities can stimulate development across cognitive, social, emotional, and motor domains:
- Reading Together: Encourages language development and bonding[1][5].
- Arts and Crafts: Fosters creativity and fine motor skills[1][5].
- Nature Walks: Promotes curiosity about the world and physical activity[5][10].
- Pretend Play: Enhances social skills, imagination, and emotional understanding[5][25][29].
- Music and Dance: Supports auditory skills, rhythm, and gross motor development[5][10].
Recommended Toys
Lovevery Australia is a branch of the award-winning company Lovevery, which specializes in Montessori-inspired toys and subscription boxes for babies and toddlers. Their products are designed by a team of child development experts, academics, researchers, and specialists to support the brain development of young children at each critical stage of their growth. Lovevery aims to provide parents with the confidence they need while ensuring that children receive the learning and growth opportunities they deserve.
The company’s products, including the Play Kits, are made with durable, sustainable, and organic materials, ensuring they are safe for children and designed to last. These toys and kits are not just about play; they are educational tools that support sensory and developmental learning. Lovevery’s offerings are paired with a comprehensive support system that includes week-by-week and toy-by-toy guidance, providing parents with expert developmental information, easy-to-follow tips, and fun playtime ideas.
Lovevery’s products have received awards and accolades for their innovative approach to early childhood education. The company emphasizes the importance of stage-based play, ensuring that the toys and tools provided are appropriate for the child’s developmental stage, from newborns up to children aged 5 years.
Conclusion
The evidence suggests that fewer toys can lead to more beneficial outcomes in the development of infants and toddlers. By focusing on quality over quantity, parents and caregivers can foster environments that encourage creativity, social interaction, emotional growth, and physical activity. Activities that engage children in meaningful ways can effectively replace the need for an abundance of toys, supporting holistic development during these formative years.
Citations:
[1] https://www.becomingminimalist.com/why-fewer-toys-will-actually-benefit-your-kids/
[2] https://www.npr.org/2023/07/14/1187847461/the-wonder-of-repetition-in-childhood-development
[3] https://post.edu/blog/importance-of-cognitive-development-early-childhood/
[4] https://www.michigan.gov/mikidsmatter/parents/infant/social
[5] https://simplefamilies.com/benefits-of-fewer-toys/
[6] https://www.himama.com/blog/the-importance-of-repetition-and-patterns-for-children/
[7] https://www.virtuallabschool.org/infant-toddler/cognitive-development/lesson-2
[8] https://www.scholastic.com/parents/family-life/social-emotional-learning/development-milestones/social-development-0-2-year-olds.html
[9] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/singletons/201712/study-underscores-why-fewer-toys-is-the-better-option
[10] https://www.famly.co/blog/play-learn-repeat-repetition-early-years
[11] https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/HelpfulRes/Articles/WaysEncourageCognitiveDev/index.html
[12] https://www.virtuallabschool.org/fcc/social-and-emotional-development/lesson-2
[13] https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/12/20/kids-fewer-toys-better-play/
[14] https://www.thegardnerschool.com/blog/the-importance-of-repetition-for-young-children/
[15] https://qualitystartsbc.org/supporting-cognitive-development-early-child-development/
[16] https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/emotional-and-social-development/how-and-when-do-babies-develop-social-skills
[17] https://raisetoddlers.com.au/how-less-toys-can-lead-to-a-better-quality-play/
[18] https://illinoisearlylearning.org/ielg/quantity/
[19] https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/infanttoddlerdev/chapter/chapter-5-cognitive-development-in-infancy-and-toddlerhood/
[20] https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Emotional-and-Social-Development-Birth-to-3-Months.aspx
[21] https://simplelionheartlife.com/fewer-toys-are-better/
[22] https://kokotree.com/blog/preschool/repetition-learning-preschoolers
[23] https://www.wpri.com/rhode-show/homelife/the-importance-of-cognitive-development/
[24] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534819/
[25] https://www.jcfs.org/blog/less-more-toys-and-their-impact-childrens-cognitive-and-neurological-development
[26] https://thoughtfulparent.com/baby-language-development.html
[27] https://pressbooks.nscc.ca/lumenlife/chapter/cognitive-development-in-infants-and-toddlers/
[28] https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/birth-to-12-months-social-emotional-development/
[29] https://www.toyventive.com/blogs/play-learn-blog/less-is-more-toys
[30] https://extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare/parents-families/families-count/help-children-understand-the-meaning-of-counting
