This study isn’t playing around.
The holiday shopping season seems to come earlier every year. But just because the sales have started, it doesn’t mean that you need to fill your cart — it’s actually better for your children that you don’t
Despite what your children wanna hear, having too many toys is bad for them, according to one study.
Research has shown that having fewer toys in the toy box improves play quality and cognitive development.
A study published in the journal Infant Behavior and Development highlights how having fewer toys encourages children to engage in more imaginative and creative play.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Toledo in Ohio, the study analyzed two groups of 36 toddlers aged 18 to 30 months as they enjoyed free-play sessions with either four or 16 toys.
The findings revealed that toddlers with only four toys played for 1½ times longer and got more creative than those surrounded by a higher number of toys.
This suggests that a limited selection allows for more focused, creative play.
It’s not just because they’re distracted by so many bells and whistles.
An overabundance can stifle creativity, hinder the development of essential life skills and contribute to issues like shortened attention spans and increased sibling rivalry.
An overflowing toy box can also lead to sensory overload and a diminished sense of responsibility for belongings.
That’s why limiting the amount of toys children have encourages them to engage in creative storytelling and invent new games, fostering critical thinking and resourcefulness.
With fewer options, children are more likely to focus and develop mindfulness, allowing for deeper engagement in playtime. They also become better at repurposing and combining toys — a firetruck can become a spaceship, for instance.
Having a limited number of toys also pushes children to appreciate their possessions and foster a sense of responsibility and care.
So, really, less is more.
Having fewer toys not only enhances children’s enjoyment but contributes to their overall emotional and mental well-being, researchers said.
