Parenthood
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When Less Is More

When Less Is More

Jordan Greenberg
September 05, 2023

Happy Tuesday,

I hope everyone had a great long weekend! While it’s sad to see summer end, I am so looking forward to some cooler weather here in Texas. We’ve just experienced one of the hottest summer’s of all time, with 45 straight days of 100+ degree days and more on the way.

Though last year wasn’t quite as bad on paper, my wife was pregnant with our daughter at the time and would argue that this year has been a cake walk. I’m glad I’ll only ever be able to imagine what that was like vs experience it myself. Y’all are warriors.

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One Big Idea

Are too many toys actually a big distraction?

The clutter of toys strewn about playrooms across the globe isn’t just an aesthetic concern for parents; it could be hampering the creativity of their children. According to research from the University of Toledo, children engaged in more creative play when they had access to fewer toys. In a 30-minute play session, toddlers played more imaginatively and for longer durations with four toys compared to when they were surrounded by 16 toys. The central premise is that an abundance of toys can serve as external distractions, thus limiting the depth and duration of play. German studies from the 1990s further revealed that when toys were entirely removed from a nursery, children's play evolved to be more social and imaginative over time. In the modern age, distractions aren’t limited to the sheer number of toys, either. Digital disruptions, like televisions in the background or parents engrossed in their phones, have been shown to reduce the time children engage in toy play. The underlying message? Quality over quantity, and in the context of toys, this might mean choosing versatile, "open-ended" toys that enable various forms of imaginative play.

Takeaway: For a richer and more creative play experience, it might be time to reconsider the toy box's contents. Embracing the principle of 'less is more' and opting for open-ended toys can foster deeper, more imaginative play for children. Parents are encouraged to rotate toys, keeping only a few out at a time, to maintain novelty and reduce distractions. After all, a stick in the hands of a kid can become a sword, an umbrella, or even a ship, demonstrating that imagination often doesn't require the latest "shiny new thing."