what money can't buy

Raising kids well is hard work. In fact, it’s probably one of the hardest things that we can ever do. We want them to become attractive, well-adjusted, intelligent and successful adults.

In recent years, parents have flocked to buy various electronic toys for their children in hopes of boosting their intelligence and ultimately improving their chances of success. However, evidence begins to suggest that all these gadgets and toys are more likely to be damaging to a child’s development.

“But two recent studies suggest that the oft-touted educational benefits of such toys are illusory, and child development experts caution that kiddie electronics, even those bought purely for entertainment, can have negative side effects such as inhibiting creativity and promoting short attention spans… Electronic toys remove social interaction and in many respects may inhibit creativity. The toy provides the fantasy and removes the opportunity for a child to mentally produce something hypothetical or imagined.”*

In the end of the day, what kids need, is not the newest and latest educational toy featuring Curious George and Thomas the Tank Engine. They need a childhood where they can be free, with grass, bugs and dirt, maybe a few simple toys, and the wonders of their imagination. Less is more. Because when we’re not consumed by objects and waiting to be entertained, we’re given the opportunity to make our own fun.**

* From "Sucker-Me-Elmo" by Christine Rosen on The New Atlantis

**On a side note, I was browsing a book called Buy, Buy Baby: How Consumer Culture Manipulates Parents and Harms Young Minds, which mentions a whole “princess cult” surrounding Disney movies (Ariel, Jasmine, Belle etc…), where little girls aspire and want to be princesses. Cinderella is by far the most popular. Ironically, little girls forget all about Cinderella’s qualities that made her worthy to be a princess (her humility and her hard work), and instead end up cranky and spoiled, whining after the latest Disney merchandise, a character disposition more akin to the stepsisters.

***My family was fairly poor when I was little. I was more than happy with my library books, my backyard, my old and used toys. It was only when I saw more commercials and kids with toys cooler than mine that discontent began to stir.