Toys and Development

Toys have always been associated with children for years; toys are children’s outlets to playing, finding their creativity and exploring new worlds. It is estimated that over 221 million dollars is spent on toys every year in the U.S.(Wikipedia) Toys play a big role in helping babies and toddlers develop motor skills and can serve as learning tools. Toys are usually the most prized possessions of our little ones and they love them, and parents love giving them to them. As toys help shape a child’s learning and growth they can also shape their gender roles and can influence young children as to what or how they should be. How do toys play a role in cognitive, social development and shape a child gender roles; and can it be true that we all have fallen victim to male and female stereo-typical gender roles starting at very early ages, the answer can be found relating theories from researcher‘s on child development and growth and by examining toy stores and the toy products that are marketed today. I visited my local Wal-Mart store, to see just what types of toys are being sold today. The stores toy section was located near the back of the store which is where the media and electronics are also displayed. The Toy section was spread out over eight aisles, with toys shelved on each side. This is how it was arranged, the first aisles was labeled “Learning, Infant & Toddler”, the next two aisles after that was labeled “Dolls and Toys”, which all appeared to be girls toys and then the next aisle consisted of neutral board games craft activities and Legos, then then next two aisles after that consisted all of what appeared to be toys for boys, the aisle right after the boys toys was sporting equipment, basketballs, baseballs, and skateboards. The infant and toddler aisle for the most part seemed gender neutral, the types of toys I seen were learning toys, building blocks and puzzles. There were toys that talked and made noises like musical instruments, which babies could