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Instructions Not Included Part 2

Natural Kids: Instructions Not Included Part 2

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Instructions Not Included Part 2


Two weeks ago I began this blog topic. It is such a powerful idea to me, that children should be allowed to play without parental direction or instruction, that I decided to do the article in two parts. I am focusing on only one of the ways parents can step back and let their children do what they do best and naturally: play. That is, to provide them with toys they can figure out, which are open-ended, meaning the child can use her or his own imagination to complete the toy. It is difficult for some parents to understand this concept and choose a natural toy when they are bombarded by advertising from so many big "name" brands. In the first part of "Instructions Not Included," I gave several examples from my fellow artisans from Etsy's Naturalkids Team. I'd like to invite new readers to start with my last post. In this current post, I will continue to offer suggestions in this area with additional links.

Here's something to consider:
I read somewhere that invention is not necessarily creating something new with a purpose, but giving a new purpose and way of using to an existing item. Take the item pictured above from Fairiesnest. Yes it is a wand...or is it? If so, is it for a wizard, a fairy a princess? The answers to these questions will be completed by the child. What new way of using this timeless toy will be invented, what enchanting scenarios may be created? And since it is not licensed or branded by a multinational corporate identity, the possibilities are truly endless.

"Waldorf dolls, such as those made by Bellawinter,
FaerieRebecca,
Germandolls or
Woodcreations'....convey little expression. Like the "Mona Lisa," they are enigmatic and allow the child to decide their emotional state.


In imaginary play, this aspect of allowing the child to complete the toy by deciding if the baby is sleepy or awake, sad or exuberant, not only exercises the child's imagination, but may also be therapeutic, allowing the child to work through emotional struggles. When Eva was 2, she slipped off the step in our pool. One second later, I lifted her out. This upset her nonetheless. The next day, she had her baby in the bathtub and was teaching it to
swim. Clearly she was working out her feelings about water. Mommy's only job was to wring the toy out later and allow it to dry!

Here is a gnome by Oritdotan. Who is he? Where did he come from? Is that a shell really a cauldron with stew? This playset does not offer any solutions to these riddle. Instead, it offers endless possibilities for the child to imagine.

Beneaththerowantree's gnome is quite different...almost a beehive...is he friendly or shy, abiding or mischievous? The child can decide what adventures to send him on, what his future in their present will be.



And who are the gnome's or the doll's friends?
Perhaps a needle felted bird, by Thesingingbird...

...or some tiny hedgehogs...by Purplemoonfibers.

How about a snail from Woodmouse?





...or Freedomrainbow's custom order cat...

Is it a really a cat or a woolly forest creature or someone from another universe. this is for the child to decide.

The conversations and adventures these creatures could have with each other are endless, because they come free of history, branding or any other known fact.

There are so many examples I could give from my colleagues on Etsy.com's Naturalkids Team. But I hope these few examples will give readers a taste of the endless play their children could delight in with toys made from natural materials as they project their fantasies onto them. Like Cozycottage's strawberries, the sweetness is there, ready to be enjoyed by all the senses, and it begins with the imagination.

In my next blog, we'll explore another aspect of the playroom. Til then, be well.

By Rebecca Varon-Remstein
nushkiedesign

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7 Comments:

Blogger oritdotandolls said...

Thank you for this wonderful article!

August 1, 2008 at 4:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love watching my kids take a toy and using it for something other than its "purpose." Open-ended toys inspire the imagination and allow children the freedom to create a world for themselves!

August 1, 2008 at 10:20 AM  
Blogger LittleElf said...

Wonderful article Nushkie, I loved reading it. ^_^

August 1, 2008 at 1:21 PM  
Blogger WoolComesAlive said...

Beautiful and so so true :)

August 1, 2008 at 3:19 PM  
Blogger TheSingingBird said...

Thanks for writing this Rebecca. This is such an important aspect of child's play, and it was brought home to me when my children were very young and they began to make families with special pebbles from the yard and groups of spice jars in the kitchen, etc.

I learned not to comment on their play because it interrupted the rhythm of their work and made them self-conscious, and it would take a while for them to fall back into the magic of their imaginations.

August 2, 2008 at 11:02 AM  
Blogger mamakopp said...

So true. It has always been my experience that a parents place is protector and guardian. Our biggest job is to watch them grow. Not to meddle too much ;) I really love this article. Thank you for sharing it.

August 2, 2008 at 11:03 AM  
Blogger Shosannah said...

I am totally with you on not over structuring or organising children's play.
I have four girls and I just love to watch them interact, discover, explore and use their own imaginations in their play. It is what kids are designed to do after all:0)
I found your blog through Etsy it's really lovely I'll be sure to visit again!

August 4, 2008 at 6:02 AM  

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