You grew your little one organically, so why add chemicals now?
We get asked often why so many of our toys we carry are organic, natural and non battery operated. It isn't something you eat after all so why should it matter?! Well if you stop and think for a moment about what babies do with toys just because they are not ingesting them they are putting them in their mouth to explore the texture or help soothe the pains of teething.
Pesticides and fertilizers are often used on conventionally grown (non-organic) cotton, additionally chemicals are often used in production. TheGreenGuide.com cites that, "Of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton crops, 7 are considered "possible," "likely", "probable", or "known" human carcinogens by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."2 ...So again back to our little ones putting everything in their mouthes... YIKES!!!Studies have shown some plastics may negatively affect our health. For instance, CHECnet.org states that, "phthalates are added to PVC (polyvinyl chloride) to make it soft and flexible. Some phthalates have been linked to cancer, kidney and liver damage, harm to developing reproductive organs, and premature breast development in baby girls. Inhaling these chemicals can also worsen asthma in children. Phthalates are not bonded to the plastic, but can migrate, or leach out."1
Toys without batteries encourage open-ended play - the type of play that fosters creativity Open-ended toys inspire a child to imagine the unlimited possibilities for that toy and the world they create around it. This creates a toy that will provide enjoyment for years to come for most toys rather than the "what's next" toy phase.
Natural toys also allow for 'downtime' or 'mellow-time'. As you have likely noticed, it is not an easy task for a child to switch gears from a very active toy or activity to resting. Simple toys allow for a natural progression to activities such as snuggling, book time, or napping.
Battery-generated toys can quickly over-stimulate children. The combination of blinking lights, sounds or music, and/or movement can be too much for a small child to process. Pressing a single button to make a toy come to life merely teaches simple cause and effect and passes up the opportunity for creative play.
The environment in a room with natural toys vs a room with battery-operated plastic toys is quite different. It is quieter, aesthetically pleasing, and inviting in a very different way, which generally creates calmer children.
Adults and children alike are drawn to nature and thus products created from natural materials. Holding something made of wood has a positive psychological effect on a person. One example of this is when customers come in the store and pick up one of our wooden rattles - they move it around in their hands, look at the intricate designs and play with it without thinking. Yet that same customer picking up a plastic mold toy quickly puts it back down as it fails to hold their interest.
So why NOT have organic toys for your littles!!
Come in and check out our Natural and Organic Toy lines.
Notes
1 http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail-print.asp?Main_ID=138
2 http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/productprint.mhtml?id=25
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