The scriptures say: “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)
This is December, and Christmas day is near! It's time to go shopping for gifts, new furniture and fashionable clothes. It is also time to offer gifts to spouses, children, parents, friends and loved ones. Let us take a close look at the types of toys that kids receive at Christmas, to see how they use them and how the toys influence their lives.
 |
| AN AFFECTIVE TOY |
What Are Toys?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a toy as "an object for a child to play with, typically a model or miniature replica of something". An example may be a "toy car", a "toy gun" , a "toy dog" or a "toy baby".
Types of Toys
There is a great variety of toys are available in the market today. They include toy cell phones, computers, cars, bicycles, machine guns, guns, knockouts, robots, animals, babies and assorted Christmas gadgets - the list is long.
Purpose of Toys
Toys are usually offered to Kids in recognition of who they are, or in appreciation for what they had done. They are, therefore, given to please or encourage them, in one way or another. This is why kids are, usually, very excited when they are offered toys. They go out with their friends to compare, play and compete. All is fun, and nothing else matters. Even food, then, means little to them.
 |
| A DISTRACTIVE TOY |
Significance of Toys
Those kids whose parents cannot afford to buy them toys may feel unhappy and, so, spend Christmas in deep depression. Even the kids for whom toys are bought may be able play happily together only if their toys are the same, similar or of the same value. In fact, the choice of expensive toys for kids has become new form of snobbery - a means of social distinction. It sets apart groups of children who would have loved to flock together.
Toy Not, With Toys
Although the manipulation of toys by children can be a fascinating and enriching experience, the dangers may also be there. Thus, to toy with toys - move or handle them absent-mindedly or nervously - is a big risk. Therefore, the use of toys - such as bicycles, cars and knockouts - on the streets exposes children to very fatal accidents. And this risk is too high for parents to ignore.
Usually, when children have toys in their hands they are carried away in total distraction. It takes much more effort to make them concentrate on any useful thing - like learning or doing house chores. Eventually, they may become too playful or lazy to work.
 |
| A COMBATIVE TOY |
Mix-up of Toys and Things
The confusion between toys and the real things, is known to have made some toys fatal weapons in the hands of little children. Recently, the six-year old son of a gendarme officer, who was used to firing his toy gun at his father for fun, picked up his father's real gun and shot him dead. The father had just returned from night duty and put his gun in his bedroom, before coming back into his parlor to rest on the sofa. Then he dozed off. And before he could hear: "Daddy, I will shoot you!", the innocent boy had already played the fatal game - shot the father dead.
Toys Play on Kids
Kids may be influenced - positively or negatively - in the future by the toys they use today. But the demarcation is, sometimes, very difficult to make. For instance, the use of toy weapons - guns, tanks and knockouts - may make children grow up either to be violent and aggressive in their communities, or to be professional soldiers who would fearlessly defend their fatherland in any war. However, the use of "harmless" toys - religious gadgets, computers, robots, cars, and tractors - would certainly influence the children in a more positive and peaceful way.
Pick the Right Toys
Considering all these, parents need to be very selective in the choice of toys for their children to celebrate Christmas. The safety and influence factors should be considered before purchasing toys. Also, it is important for parents to choose toys that would relate the children to the event and meaning of the Nativity. Finally, parents should frequently control their kids in the use of toys. This is to avoid too much distraction and harmful play.
This month, CATHOLIC FRONT is wishing you all, a happy Christmas season and prosperous New Year 2022.
Click here to subscribe:
Author: Aying Godman is a Catechist, Evangelist and Writer of the Catholic Archdiocese of Douala in Cameroon. Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com Copyright (c) Aying Godman- 2021. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment