The Inspire Philosophy: Talk about Toys

When you think of toys, what do you think of?
Nowadays, toy stores are stocked to the brim with plastic and toys that are meant to be watched and not truly played with.

Play shouldn’t be passive!

Play should spark imagination, create opportunities for open ended experiences that can be repeated and have different outcomes every time they are used.

Loose parts, neutral colours and recycled materials are easily processed, don’t overload the senses and allow children to use their imaginations to make their play their own!

Children should be the decision makers in their own play, explore their wants and needs and have that reflected in their exploration of the resources and ‘toys’ around them. #theinspirephilosophy

As an eco nursery in Dubai who has been established in Jumeirah for the last 30 years, we are honored to welcome the next generation of students into the Kid’s Island Nursery in Jumeirah family and it is rewarding to hear parents say “I remember what it felt like when I experienced this at the nursery for the first time”. It is important to cherish your warm childhood memories and even more important to create new ones with your child.⁠⁠

The Inspire Philosophy: Loose Parts 🍃⁠⁠

Play doesn't always need a fixed outcome. ⁠⁠
So often now, toys are made with an intended start, middle and end, and once that end has come, there's little incentive to revisit it. ⁠⁠
But what if the word 'toy' was redefined? For children, toys can be just about anything. From napkin rings to dried lemons, a tray of nuts and bolts, woodblocks, and unique rocks. Anything and everything is new and interesting in the eyes of a child!⁠⁠
Endless collections of man-made or natural materials can be put together and made into play staples. As long as they are inviting and engaging, children will gravitate towards them naturally, ⁠⁠
It's essential for adults to play a role in loose part play, especially at the beginning when it is introduced. Help guide the children by modeling how you would play with the objects, self-talk and teach them how to look after them and tidy them up. Despite it being open-ended play, there still needs to be structure and direction to a certain degree.⁠⁠
Children will always find a way to play, invent and imagine with whatever is presented to them and it's almost a guarantee that they will play for longer when there is no limit put on their play. #theinspirephilosophy

As an eco nursery in Dubai who has been established in Jumeirah for the last 30 years, we are honored to welcome the next generation of students into the Kid’s Island Nursery in Jumeirah family and it is rewarding to hear parents say “I remember what it felt like when I experienced this at the nursery for the first time”.  It is important to cherish your warm childhood memories and even more important to create new ones with your child.