Make them earn what they get to make it a learning experience

Ido not think parents care about the environmental side of this issue. Usually, parents would give the toys away to other parents, or they may donate them to a nursery, which is great. At our nursery, we accept donated toys because we have many play dates where parents come in with their children, and we try to have toys for them. However, what is really important is to sanitise these toys before you give them to other children, whether it is by washing them down with soap and water or using rubbing alcohol. You do not want to pass the germs on to other people and many parents do not think of these things.

There is definitely an overconsumption of toys, simply because some parents might buy something for their child when they are visiting a store and their child would start crying because he or she wants something. I am also not a fan of the free toys you get with meals at fast food restaurants because they might not be age-appropriate. You need to be careful with those because if they are too small, a child could choke on them. Just because they are toys does not make them any safer. Go to an learning centre and they will show you the educational toys that you can buy for your child. Pay attention to how they are built, seriously do your research, because it is about your child.

With the over-supply of toys, something that I do worry about is the effect it has on a child’s mindset. You have to expect something from children so that they learn that for everything you do in life there is a reward, but you have to earn it. You don’t just get it.

From Ms Diane Nobles-Eldakak