Toys Are an Influence

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Watery eyes, flaring nostrils, flailing limbs, and the temper of a furious bull, your child is having a horrendous tantrum. Even though you’ve taught them morals and positive values, this seems to recurring issue. There is one question all parents must ask themselves, “ What kind of outside influences am I allowing my child to govern themselves with on a daily basis?” These days, boys and girls alike face the incessant impact of society in their social, intellectual, emotional, and behavioral lives. This influence starts at a young age with the toys and games our little tykes surround themselves with.
“By avoiding specific toys, you should be able to steer clear of violent behavior that you don’t want to see in your child.” (Halter) Kids are easily influenced by the world around them; from media, to friends, and even toys, kids minds are slowly be molded and shaped for their future ahead. For many parents behavior is a major struggle when it comes to their little ones. It is very hard to ignore a child that is constantly causing a scene wherever he or she goes. This behavioral issue may be a direct result of the playthings your child utilizes for amusement everyday.
Toys are said to have many hidden properties that affect a child. For example, weapon, such as guns and knives, are said to encourage violence. Since kids tend to mimic what they see, hostile toys make for a hostile child. To them, through their toys, showing excessive aggression toward a situation is allowed, whereas in reality it is frown upon. It changes their aspect of what is acceptable and what is intolerable. This is why even though the toys may be put away and it is time to be well-mannered, a child is still in play mode.
On the other hand, toys can also tra...

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It seems that no matter where you come from, something as small as a toy can impact a person at such young age. A toy’s influence can range from behavioral and intellectual patterns, to gender roles and stereotypes, to a point in the right direction for the future. Once again always ask yourself one question, “What kind of outside influences am I allowing my child to govern themselves with on a daily basis?”

Works Cited

http://www.unc.edu/~dcderosa/STUDENTPAPERS/childrenbattles/toysrusdenise.htm

http://preschooler.thebump.com/toys-affect-childrens-behavior-4903.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991547/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16569167 http://www.naeyc.org/content/what-research-says-toys-and-play

http://www.ncei.com/POT05PRESSREL3.htm

https://suite.io/debbie-roome/3jf122f

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-25857895

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