ACCORDING to a recent study, there has been a 5 percent increase in the sales of non-electronic toys in the $122 billion global toy industry, as more and more parents want their children to play with natural toys that encourage child participation and creative imagination. Latifah Mohammad, a mother of five boys, banned her sons from playing on game consoles and more recently, smartphones and tablets. “Electronic devices pose a grave danger to children's eyesight as they spend hours staring at a screen. They also discourage physical activity and encourage solitude,” she told Al-Riyadh newspaper. Fatimah Al-Dowsary, a teacher and mother of two, said educational games are the best games for children as they help them develop and cultivate their skills. “Although educational games are expensive, they are very important. I sometimes force my kids to play the games I used to play as a child, especially group games,” said Al-Dowsary. Afraa Al-Ajmy, a mother of three, said children should be exposed to different types of games but parents should regulate how much time they spend playing each. “I don't agree with parents who prevent their children from playing electronic games as these games have advantages as they have disadvantages. We cannot deny them the technological and electronic reality of today and constrict their imagination. What children need is guidance and not prohibition,” said Al-Ajmy. According to psychologist Munira Khalid, educational games teach children observation skills and correct pronunciation. “Educational games challenge certain cognitive skills such as analysis, comparison, classification and juxtaposition. They also teach discipline. We must give some space to the child so he can experience and express himself. Parents should also encourage their children to play in groups so they do not grow up to be self-absorbed,” she said. Khalid added that traditional toys are just as important as electronic toys as they help children develop a different set of skills. “There is nothing wrong with children playing in the mud and dirtying their clothes from time to time. Parents should encourage and participate at times rather than just criticize. Children learn by touching and feeling, we just have to train them to clean up after themselves. Parents should look into the toys they buy for their children. They must be free of any poisonous chemicals or lead so they don't harm the child's skin or respiratory system.” Nouf Mohammad Al-Hazani, a librarian at King Abdulaziz Public Library, said toys are not just for fun and help children learn about their personality and overcome challenges. In fact, Al-Hazani said children who play more are more creative than children who don't. “Research shows that games increase children's cognitive competences such as memory, creativity, recognition, imagination and learning skills as well as communication skills. Play also teaches children to respect others and take turns. It also instigates a sense of competition. There are negative traits to playing too much such as cheating and fighting. Electronic games are also important for children but within restrictions and regulations. Western studies have shown that children who are violent are often exposed to a lot of violence in their lives whether it is real or on TV or YouTube. Moreover, individual games can encourage selfishness and solitude while group games encourage communication and team work,” she said.
