Figurines have been a staple of children’s toyboxes ever since manufacturers began making them. What child has not played with toy barnyard animals or dinosaurs? The popularity of toy figures is timeless. They have universal appeal, and these fun objects can be used to educate children too.
Why Kids Love Them
Kids simply love figurines. Small hands are instantly attracted to them for several reasons. For starters, the way they look creates instant appeal. They may be colorful or have interesting expressions. Some are cute while others are ugly. When a child sees a figurine, it can stimulate a memory related to the object. Appearance draws youngsters’ attention, and so does the object’s texture. Kids love to get their hands on figurines. They may be smooth or covered in bumps. The limbs may be stationary or jointed to enable multiple poses. Kids love how toy figures feel and how they move.
Many kinds of toy figurines have been inspired by real life; others, the imagination. Readily available figurines include animals and people. Their designs mimic the animals and people that children see in real life. Kids like these because of their familiarity. Kids also like what is strange and unusual. That is why children love figurines shaped like monsters and unicorns. No matter whether the figures are based on what is real or what is make-believe, toy figurines inspire play.
Imagination Inspiration
When children play with toy figures, their imaginations are inspired. A figurine may take on the habits of that which it represents. Dinosaurs, for example, may roar in the voice of the child. A figurine may take on its own personality, too. The roaring dinosaur may have the reputation of being a comedian in the land of make-believe, for instance. What it does during play is all up to the individual child. When kids play with such toys, the possibilities are endless. Many times, children pass time by creating fantastic scenarios using figurines. Observers may see the interaction as absurd, but a basis in real-life is often underlying.
One other aspect that makes kids love toy figurines is that they can be shared. Children love the opportunity to play with each other and the toy figures. Interacting with toys and other children can be a great way for kids to practice cooperation and patience while using their imaginations. Kids like to involve adults with their figurine play as well. It is special for a child to engage their caretakers with their figurines. A child can feel safe, understood, and important when he or she is given the opportunity to engage the adult in play or to tell the adult about a figurine.
For Fun and Education
Toy figurines can be used for both fun and education. With their help, children can master several skills that make up the rudiments of their education. Young learners can begin to identify colors and shapes using figurines as well as learn how to use numbers by counting their figurines. They can learn how to count a total. They can learn how to count a part of a total too. Sorting is another useful skill for which figurines can be used. Students can be asked to count all their figurines that are horses or all that are gray.
Making associations is a skill that can be demonstrated with the use of toy figurines. Consider a wide range of animal figures. Can the child associate which of them could be found on a farm? In the jungle? In a desert? Kids can also look at the figures to help them articulate what they know about a creature’s sounds and abilities. Likewise, toy figurines can help kids understand complex concepts. Teachers and caregivers can use the toys to better explain the differences between fantasy and reality. Another complex concept figures can illustrate more clearly is the difference between existence and extinction.
Be they wild horses, barn yard animals, or dinosaurs, toy figurines can be used in dioramas. Dioramas are a popular educational craft. They are windows into a slice of life or a part of a story. Often set up in a small box, dioramas offer viewers a picture of what is happening. Looking inside, one can see a setting and a still-frame capturing an interaction between characters. Students can use a diorama to show viewers their favorite part of a story or the most important event. These kinds of displays can be used to discuss a creature’s habitat. Given a particular figurine, the child can create a scene inside the box depicting what is customary for its survival. Students can practice their speaking and writing skills by explaining each aspect of the diorama’s contents.
Few toys are as versatile as figurines. They have multiple purposes, are available everywhere, and are inexpensive to acquire. Use them for play or learning, toy figures will always have their place in the toybox and classroom.