Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
67
International Journal of Pedagogics
(ISSN
–
2771-2281)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
67-72
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
This article analyzes the educational function of innovative toys that directly influence the psychology of preschool
children, as well as the criteria for developing creative abilities in children.
KEYWORDS
Preschool age, family environment, child upbringing, innovative toys.
INTRODUCTION
Both local and international psychological-pedagogical
studies recognize the unique characteristics and
significance of preschool childhood as a distinctive
period in human life. This stage is also considered an
immediate
continuation
of
early
childhood,
characterized by general sensitivity, which should not
hinder the development of ontogenetic potential. It is
a time when children assimilate the social framework
of human relationships through communication with
close adults, as well as through play and real
interactions with peers. The developmental phase
from ages 3 to 7 is one of the most critical periods in
the growth of preschool children. During this time, the
foundation of an individual’s personality is laid,
encompassing the development of their psyche,
memory, thinking, and even self-esteem. For this
reason, it is essential for parents to understand the
Research Article
THE EDUCATIVE FUNCTION OF INNOVATIVE TOYS IN THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Submission Date:
December 03, 2024,
Accepted Date:
December 08, 2024,
Published Date:
December 13, 2024
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/ijp/Volume04Issue12-13
Sitora ASATULLAYEVA Dilmurodovna
Master's Student at Chirchik State Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0582-5000
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ijp
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
68
International Journal of Pedagogics
(ISSN
–
2771-2281)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
67-72
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
processes occurring in their child’s div during this
period and to help maximize their potential.
Preschool childhood begins with what is referred to as
the "three-year crisis." Typically, this is a challenging
time for parents: children become stubborn,
disobedient, contrary, and act in opposition to
instructions. However, parents should not despair, as
this is a natural stage of development. It allows
children to perceive themselves as separate beings
from their parents and to learn to make independent
decisions. Patience is the key quality that parents must
develop.
Main Part
In the years that follow, children begin to explore the
world beyond the family and gain self-confidence.
Their frequent questions like "Why?" and statements
like "I can do it myself" are manifestations of curiosity
and initiative. Demonstrating patience is worthwhile,
as it allows children to explore the surrounding world
and define their boundaries.
During the preschool years, a child's entire mental life
and relationship with the world around them are
formed. The development of internal mental life and
self-regulation is associated with several new
formations in the psyche and consciousness of
preschool children. Notably, during this period,
children’s cognitive processes evolve. Their thinking
progresses from visual-actional thinking (typical of
infancy) to visual-imaginary thinking. This enables
them to establish connections between objects and
their properties.
Т
hus, the formation of an individual as
a person begins in early childhood. As noted, children
actively integrate into the cultural world of humanity
and adopt its values. During this period, children
acquire fundamental socio-cultural experiences, their
personality begins to take shape, and individuality
emerges. At this critical stage of life, the
recommendation of innovative toys with an educative
function, suitable for the child’s age, ha
s a direct
impact on their development as well-rounded
individuals. This, in turn, enhances interest in preschool
education as an effective tool for nurturing and
developing young children.It is important to
emphasize that, in the modern world, both preschool
educators and parents must pay attention to the
didactic significance of innovative toys in fostering
children’s psychological development and intellectual
abilities. These toys not only increase children’s
interest but also help develop skills such as thinking,
problem-solving, and creative approaches. Therefore,
the educative function of innovative toys supports
children in acquiring new knowledge, broadening their
thinking, and developing logical reasoning abilities.
RESULTS
Interactive and technologically advanced toys, in
particular, enable children to explore various fields of
knowledge and acquire practical skills. Additionally,
such toys contribute to the development of
communication skills, facilitate the process of social
adaptation, and strengthen teamwork abilities. For
these reasons, parents and educators must prioritize
the educational value of innovative toys when
selecting them, as this serves as an essential
foundation for shaping a competent workforce in the
future. The educative functions of innovative toys help
children acquire new knowledge and skills. These toys
play a crucial role in enhancing children’s intellectual,
creative, and psychological capabilities. By fulfilling
their educative and didactic functions, innovative toys
facilitate the following aspects in preschool children:
Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
69
International Journal of Pedagogics
(ISSN
–
2771-2281)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
67-72
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
–
Development of critical and logical thinking;
–
A more engaging and effective learning process for
exact sciences;
–
Formation of the ability to understand the
environment and acquire new knowledge;
–
Opportunities
to
develop
teamwork,
communication, and social skills.
Notably, in preschools, teams of educators and
psychologists implement modern teaching concepts
through innovative toys with educative functions. This
approach stimulates children's minds and motivates
them to acquire new knowledge. Therefore, special
attention should be paid to the educational value of
such toys when selecting them. Research shows that
children with only four toys are more creative than
those with sixteen. “Fewe
r toys mean fewer
distractions,” says Denaye Barahona, an American
scholar and author of Simple Happy Parenting. Indeed,
when children have fewer toys, they tend to explore
the available ones with greater interest and creativity.
Often, children strive to invent new uses for their toys
or repurpose them for different activities. This process
significantly aids in developing their imagination.
Barahona’s research also reveals that having too many
toys can overwhelm children and hinder their ability to
focus on a single task. Parents are advised to carefully
select innovative toys for their children, ensuring that
these toys facilitate development through their
educative functions.
According to the results of experimental research,
having an excess of toys can hinder the full
development of children’s imagination. Healthcare
professionals Strick and Schubert conducted an
experiment in which they removed toys from a
kindergarten for three months. In the initial stages of
the experiment, the children experienced boredom.
However, they soon began inventing their own games.
American writer Joshua Becker, in his article about why
fewer toys benefit children, writes: “Toys are not just
toys. They teach our children about the world and
themselves.” Acc
ording to Becker, having fewer toys
fosters children’s creativity, helps them focus better,
and improves their interpersonal relationships. With
fewer toys, children are more likely to use their
imaginations, which enhances their logical thinking and
problem-solving skills. Additionally, fewer toys
encourage children to value and take better care of the
items they already have.
Denaye Barahona, the author of Simple Happy
Parenting, addresses the importance of purposefully
engaging a generation captivated by gadgets with
innovative toys. She writes:
“When I became a mother, I was ready to give my baby
everything. All the toys, all the love
—
it was all for him.
The motto ‘more is better’ was nothing new to me. I
entered motherhood with a lifelong history of
clutter
—
both physical and emotional. However, when
I gave birth to my first child, I was in the process of
completing my Ph.D. in Child Development. What
amazed me was that there was no evidence in my
research to support the idea that buying more toys was
actually beneficial for our children. In fact, fewer toys
bring far greater benefits to our children than you
might imagine.
Over the past ten years, I have transformed thousands
of families into believers in the benefits of fewer toys:
Saying
‘no’ to new toys for our children doesn’t make
Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
70
International Journal of Pedagogics
(ISSN
–
2771-2281)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
67-72
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
us bad parents. We teach our children that everything
that enters our home must eventually leave it. Did you
know that most plastic toys can take up to 500 years to
decompose, which harms the environment? Let
’s say
no to things that lose their appeal quickly. We should
communicate with our family members, explaining
that simplicity is a core family value we aim to instill,
and that we need their support. As parents, we must
safeguard the family values we instill in our children,
because one day, they will be tested and will need to
defend these values. Our responsibility is to show them
how to do this. Your children love spending time with
you. But I worry that all the amazing gifts you bring for
them might serve as distractions. I want them to look
forward to spending time with you more than they
look forward to receiving gifts.”
Indeed, having fewer toys helps children better
understand themselves and the world around them.
An excess of toys can overstimulate and distract them,
reducing their ability to think creatively and solve
problems. Analyses have proven that when the
number of toys is limited, children spend more time
inventing new games and creating imaginary worlds,
which positively impacts their cognitive and emotional
development.
CONCLUSION
Thus, to nurture children's creative potential, a
purposeful limitation on the quantity of innovative toys
is a crucial factor in fostering high-quality learning skills
during both preschool and school years. According to
research conducted by pedagogues and psychologists,
in this era of unprecedented scientific and technical
discoveries in every field of society, having fewer toys
at home and in preschool institutions contributes to
the development of the following social skills in
children:
Improved
Attentionand
Focus
:
With
fewer
distractions, children learn to concentrate better on
the resources available to them. They develop a deeper
connection with their toys, exploring their full
potential.
Development of Effective Social Skills
: Studies show
that children with fewer toys are more likely to develop
interpersonal relationships with other children and
adults. They learn to be better conversationalists and
listeners. Establishing strong relationships early on
helps ensure a happy and fulfilling life as they grow
older.
Greater Care for Possessions
: When children have an
abundance of toys, they naturally care less about them.
However, with fewer options, they learn to cherish and
take better care of their belongings, knowing they are
unique and valuable.
Increased Interest in Reading, Writing, and Art
:
Research indicates that fewer toys ignite a child's
passion for books, music, and drawing. A growing love
for art helps them better understand beauty,
emotions, and communication in their world.
Moreover, this shift keeps them away from excessive
screen time and the virtual distractions of the internet.
Sharper Problem-Solving and Creativity
: Limited
access to toys pushes children to make the most of
what they have, fostering ingenuity and logical
thinking. They become adept at solving problems with
the resources at hand.
Reduced Conflicts Among Children
: While it may seem
counterintuitive,
fewer
toys
lead
to
fewer
Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
71
International Journal of Pedagogics
(ISSN
–
2771-2281)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
67-72
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
disagreements. Contrary to the belief that more toys
reduce arguments, observations show that too many
toys can trigger conflicts among siblings. In families
with fewer toys, children are encouraged to share,
collaborate, and work together harmoniously.
Development of Perseverance
: Having fewer toys
teaches children to care for and maintain them,
instilling discipline, patience, and determination. On
the other hand, children with an abundance of toys
tend to give up easily. If they dislike or fail to
understand one toy, they quickly move on to another,
missing out on the opportunity to build perseverance
and problem-solving skills.
Research indicates that children with fewer toys
during their preschool years are less likely to develop
selfish tendencies compared to their peers
. This is
because children who always have access to
everything they desire grow up believing they are
entitled to get what they want at all times. Such an
attitude can quickly lead to an unhealthy and
undesirable lifestyle.
1.
Toys that Stimulate Cognitive Development
:
Building sets such as LEGO, Mega Bloks, and Erector
Sets promote spatial reasoning, problem-solving, fine
motor skills, and creativity in children.
2.
Logical Toys
: Puzzles, tangrams, and blocks
help develop children’s logical thinking, problem
-
solving abilities, memory, and attention skills.
3.
Scientific Experiment Kits
: Chemistry, physics,
biology, and other science experiment kits enhance
children’s scientific curiosity, allowing them to learn
scientific methods and conduct experiments.
4.
Digital Toys
: Educational software, interactive
books, and programming kits increase children’s digital
literacy, interest in programming, and understanding
of technology.
5.
Toys
that
Foster
Social-Emotional
Development
: Role-playing toys, dolls, animals,
kitchen sets, doctor kits, and others help children
internalize social roles, engage in communication,
express emotions, and develop empathy. Additionally,
social-
emotional games such as “Who Am I?”, “Find the
Emotions,” and “Interpersonal Communication” help
children build relationships, understand, and manage
emotions.
6.
Toys that Stimulate Language and Speech
Development
: Interactive sound books, books that
allow for the unveiling of images, and interactive
learning programs support children’s language
acquisition, vocabulary expansion, and speech
development.
7.
Toys that Promote Motor Skills and
Coordination
: Balls, bicycles, scooters, airplanes, and
others
improve
children’s
motor
skills
and
coordination, promote physical activity, and foster a
healthy lifestyle.
8.
Musical
Toys
:
Pianos,
guitars,
drums,
microphones, and others contribute to the
development of children’s musical abilities, helping
them coordinate rhythm and movement.
It is important to note that the educational function of
toys depends not only on the toy itself but also on how
the child engages with the play process. Parents and
educators should encourage children to play with toys,
assist them during play, and help select games that
positively impact their development.
Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
72
International Journal of Pedagogics
(ISSN
–
2771-2281)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
67-72
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
REFERENCES
1.
Volobueva M.P. Pedagogical Suggestion as One of
the Teaching Methods // In the World of Scientific
Discoveries. 2010. No. 1-3. pp. 129-134.
2.
Gabrielle A. Strouse, Angela Nyhout, Patricia A.
Ganea. The Role of Book Features in Young
Children's Transfer of Information from Picture
Books to Real-World Contexts // Front. Psychol., 06
February, 2018.
3.
https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/jurnal-dlya-
detskogo-chteniya-v-predstavleniyahliteraturnoy-
kritiki-nachala
4.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Denaye-
Barahona/author/
