1 Introduction
China writer Lu Xun? Once said: "Games are the most legitimate behavior of children, and toys are children's angels." Children's lives are inseparable from toys, which are one of their "close companions". Toys can stimulate children's imagination, help children understand things around them, increase their knowledge, and at the same time satisfy their wishes and bring them unlimited happiness. As the great educator Comenius said? "These things can help them enjoy themselves, and may exercise their physical health, be mentally active, and make all parts of their bodies sensitive."
This shows the importance of toys, but due to the age limit of children and the complexity and diversity of toys, parents naturally dominate the choice of toys. The purpose of this survey is to find out the existing problems and put forward corresponding suggestions through the investigation on the selection and use of children's family toys, so as to promote the healthy development of children's body and mind in the interaction with toys.
2 Literature review
2. 1 Research on Family Toys
2. 1. 1 the connotation of toys
What is a toy? China was commonly known as "playing with goods" in ancient times. As the name implies, it is an instrument for people to play? . Educator Chen Heqin said: "Toys should be understood in a broad sense. It's not just things sold on the street for children to play with. Anything that children can play, see, hear and touch can be called toys. " It can be seen that "toys" can be anything for children.
2. 1.2 toy types
The types of toys can be divided according to different angles. Generally speaking, common children's toys can be roughly divided into image toys, intellectual toys, structural modeling toys, sports toys, music toys, entertainment toys, some daily necessities or natural materials and their homemade toys according to their functional characteristics.
2. 1.3 related research on factors affecting children's choice of family toys
At present, there is not much research on the influencing factors of children's family toy purchase in China. Wang Zijian and others' survey results in 2009 show that children and parents themselves are the most influential people in purchasing decisions. Children are limited by their own development level, so choosing toys mainly starts from appearance, color and personal interest. Parents' choice of toys is influenced by family income, education level and educational concept.
3. Investigation methods
On the basis of combing the existing literature, this survey conducted a questionnaire survey among parents of Xuchang Experimental Kindergarten 100, and analyzed the survey results, and put forward reasonable suggestions for the problems existing in the selection and use of children's family toys.
4. Time and object of investigation
The survey was conducted on March 20th, 2006, 5438+02, 15. Select two classes in the experimental kindergarten campus and distribute 100 questionnaires in six classes. Among them, there are 20 copies in each class of large class, and each class of middle class and small class 15. A total of 86 questionnaires were collected, with a recovery rate of 86%. Excluding 6 invalid questionnaires and 80 valid questionnaires, the recovery rate was 80%. There are 33 fathers (about 465,438+0%) and 47 mothers (about 59%).
5. Findings and analysis
5. 1 Analysis of the survey results of children's parents' choice of toys
5. 1. 1 Children's parents' consumption of toys
The survey results show that in about 87% families, children's toys are bought by their parents, which indicates that the main buyers of toys are their parents. And 55% parents spend 10 1 yuan -500 yuan on toys on average.
5. 1.2 Parents' views on toys
Toys are tools and materials for games. Toys also attract children with their own interesting, exploratory and imaginative characteristics. Of course, toys are not only tools for playing, but also have seven educational functions, such as stimulating children's creativity, enhancing children's social and cognitive abilities, and promoting children's sports skills development. Nowadays, toys have become children's main "playmates". The choice and buyer of toys are parents, and their attitudes and understanding of toys affect the choice of toys.
This survey found that about 92% of parents think that toys are "very important" for their children's development, and 8 1% of parents chose "as long as their children like them, they can both". This shows that children's parents have realized the importance of toys to their children's development, and at the same time began to respect their interests and choose suitable activities for their children according to their wishes.
According to the survey (see table 1), all parents think that toys can develop children's intelligence (100%), followed by cultivating children's practical ability (65%), entertainment (63%), stimulating curiosity (3 1%) and cultivating children's cognitive ability (30%).
Table 1 the influence of toys on children
function
number of people
per cent
Develop children's intelligence
Cultivate children's practical ability
amusement
Arouse curiosity
80
Fifty two
5 1
? 30?
100%
65%
63%
37%
Cultivate children's cognitive ability
24
Thirty percent
Cultivate emotion
Strengthen communication between children.
four
2?
5%
2%
5. 1.3 criteria for parents of young children to choose toys
The selection criteria of toys include toy materials, design, function, price and other factors. This survey mainly investigates the following aspects (see Table 2). The survey results show that parents think that the safety and quality of materials used in toys are more important, with 43.8% of parents agreeing very much and 48% agreeing. For the function of toys, 26.3% of parents agree very much, and 55% of parents agree to choose a variety of toys, which shows that parents have begun to attach importance to the function of toys and regard it as one of the important criteria for choosing toys. 67.5% of parents said that they would buy a toy as long as their children liked it. It can be seen that parents choose toys based on their children's wishes and preferences, and the selection criteria such as safety and functionality of toys are in a secondary position. As can be seen from Table 2, parents also regard the price of toys as a standard for choosing toys, and 57.6% of parents agree to choose toys with low prices. Parents are not particularly concerned about the brand of toys, and only 17.5% parents are willing to buy branded toys. 66.2% parents think it is convenient to buy toys. Therefore, toy stores should meet the needs of parents, and try to set toy stores in locations that are conducive to parents' purchase, such as residential areas. ?
Table 2? The standard of toys
election
Agree very much
n%
agree
n%
short-lived
n%
disagree
n%
Very different
n%
Safety and quality of materials used in toys
35/43.8%
38/48%
7/8.2%
0/0%
0/0%
Toys have many functions.
2 1/26.3%
44/55%
13/ 16.2%
2/2.5%
0/0%
Toys are cheap.
13/ 16.3%
33/4 1.3%
20/25%
13/ 16.3%
1/ 1.2%
Choose brand toys
2/2.5%
12/ 15%
32/40%
34/42.5%
Toys can be easily purchased.
14/ 17.5%
39/48.7%
16/20%
8/ 10%
3/3.8%
5. 1.3. 1 Functions of toys
As for the function of toys, this survey found (see Table 3) that children's parents think toys should be beneficial to their children's intellectual and emotional development (98. %), toys should have various ways to keep children interested for a long time (96.3%), parents can play with their children (9 1.3%), and toys can be combined (96.2%).
Table three? Functional requirements of toys
election
Agree very much
n%
agree
n%
short-lived
n%
disagree
n%
Very different
n%
Toys are good for children's intellectual and emotional development.
33/4 1.3%
46/57.5%
1/2.5%
0/0%
0/0%
Toys can be played in a variety of ways to keep children interested for a long time.
32/40%
45/56.3%
3/3.7%
0/0%
0/0%
Parents can play games with their children.
27/33.8%
46/57.5%
7/8.5%
0/0%
0/0%
Toys can be combined
23/28.7%
54/67.5%
3/3.8%
0/0%
0/0%
As long as children like it, it has no function.
7/8.7%
39/48.7%
17/2 1.3%
15/ 18.8%
2/2.5%
5. 1.3.2 Safety of toys
In life, we often say: safety comes first, especially when choosing toys for children. If a toy is not safe, then its educational value is out of the question. As can be seen from the survey results in Table 4, parents attach great importance to toys with no special smell, reasonable structure and durability. It has become an important criterion for parents to choose toys.
Table four? Safety requirements for toys
election
Agree very much
n%
agree
n%
short-lived
n%
disagree
n%
Very different
n%
Toys have no special smell.
36/45%
35/43.8%
9/ 1 1.2%
0/0%
0/0%
The toy structure is reasonable.
29/36.2%
44/55%
7/8.8%
0/0%
0/0%
Toys are durable.
32/40%
38/47.5%
7/8.7%
3/3.8%
0/0%
Toys should be smooth and angular.
27/33.7%
33/4 1.2%
8/ 10%
1 1/ 13.8%
1.3%
5.2 Analysis of children's toy use survey results
5.2. 1 Hygienic status of household toys
Toys are children's "close companions". The bacteria on toys not only bring happiness to children and promote their physical and mental development, but also unconsciously become their "partners". But this "companion" brings not happiness, but various diseases. There are many parasites, roundworms and various germs hidden in toys. Therefore, it is very important to clean toys. However, the survey shows that 16.2% of parents wash toys every 1-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks 15%, 5-6 weeks 27.5%, 7-8 weeks 26.3%, 15%. It can be seen that most parents have the consciousness of cleaning toys, but the time interval is too long. Moreover, a few parents have no awareness of cleaning toys at all.
5.2.2 Parents guide their children to use toys.
In guiding children to use toys, this survey (see Table 5) shows that 23.8% parents choose language instruction, 5% parents choose hands-on instruction, and 7 1.2% parents choose to gradually transition from hands-on instruction to oral instruction. It can be seen that parents have their own guidance methods, but they lack in-depth and meticulous guidance.
In the question "When your child can't play with new toys" (see Table 6), 62.5% of parents choose "Read the instructions before teaching their children how to play", 1.2% choose "Let other children who can play teach him", 3.8% choose "No matter" and only 32.5% choose "Together with their children". This shows that there is a great deficiency in the way parents guide. For "When children don't play with new toys according to the instructions of Donghu Lake", 12.5% parents choose "Let children play again according to the instructions in the instructions", 65% parents "play whatever they want", 3.8% parents "don't know what to do" and 18.7% parents "praise children. It can be seen that parents' guidance to their children is very blind and coping.
Parents' guidance on the use of children's toys also includes the disposal of old toys. The survey found (see Table 7): 67.5% of parents choose to "put away or give away", 8.7% of parents "let their children continue to play with this toy", 5% of parents choose to "throw it away", and only 18.8% of parents "teach their children some new ways to play". It can be seen that although most parents will not throw away their toys, the handling method is still not appropriate.
Table 5? Method of guiding toys
election
number of people
per cent
language teaching
19
23.8%
Practice Teaching
four
5%
Gradually transition from hands-on operation to oral instruction.
57
7 1.2%
Table 6? Parents' guidance methods when children can't play with new toys
election
number of people
per cent
Read the instructions and then teach the children how to play.
50
62.5%
Let other children who can play teach him.
1
1.2%
Explore and learn with your children.
26
32.5%
no matter
three
3.8%
Table 7? Parents' disposal of old toys
election
number of people
per cent
When a child is tired of a toy, put it away or give it away.
54
67.5%
Let the children continue to play with this toy.
seven
8.7%
throw away
four
5%
Teach children some new ways to play.
15
18.8%
5.2.3 Sharing toys with other children
Teaching children to share their toys with other children can not only play with toys they don't have, but also let children learn to share. The survey found (see table): 45% children often share toys with other children, 17.5% children usually share toys with other children, which shows that most children have the habit of sharing toys. But more than half (77.6%) children "rarely" and "never" bring toys to kindergarten. This shows that most children share toys, but only at home. It also shows that parents and kindergarten teachers don't pay much attention to children's toy sharing behavior in the park.
Table 8? Share the status of toys with other children.
election
Regular n%
Generally n percent.
Rarely n%
Almost no n%
No n%
Do your children often share their toys with children in other districts?
36/45%
14/ 17.5%
23/28.7%
5/6.3%
2/2.5% 1
Your children often take toys to kindergarten.
7/8.7%
19/23.7%
15/ 18.8%
0/0%
39/48.8%
5.2.4 Arrangement of Children's Toys
It is a good habit to cultivate children's habit of arranging toys in time after playing. At the same time, in the process of sorting out, it is a sense of responsibility and a principle of life to let children gradually understand their own affairs and do it by themselves. However, this survey found (see table) that only 2.5% children have the habit of arranging toys regularly, 7.5% children generally have the habit of arranging toys, and 55% children have no habit of arranging toys. The survey also shows that 7 1.3% parents often educate their children to tidy up their toys, which shows that the effect is not very good, and most children still have not developed the good habit of tidying up their toys in time.
Table 9? Tidy up the condition of toys
election
Regular n%
Generally n percent.
Rarely n%
Almost no n%
No n%
Does your child have the habit of arranging toys in time?
2/2.5%
6/7.5%
12/ 15%
16/20%
44/55%
Do you often educate children to cherish toys?
57/7 1.3%
17/2 1.3%
1/ 1.2%
4/5%
1/ 1.2%
5.2.5 Status of using homemade toys
Toys are not only exquisite toys made in factories and sold in shops, but also all kinds of unremarkable waste articles or natural materials (such as cartons and pebbles) in life, as well as toys made by children or adults themselves with various articles or materials (that is, homemade toys). According to this survey, 33.8% of parents said their children's toys were "all bought in the market", 62.5% said their children's toys were "mostly bought in the market" and only 3.7% said their children's toys were homemade. It can be seen that homemade toys are becoming less and less common. Due to the pressure of life and busy work, parents buy more and more finished toys instead of homemade toys, which saves time and trouble. It takes time and effort to make toys by yourself, but also to find materials, design and make them by hand. In fact, this view is one-sided and simple, mainly because parents don't know enough about the importance of homemade toys to their children's development.
6.
Step 7 recommend
7. 1 Suggestions on parents' criteria for choosing toys
According to the survey results of parents' choice of toys, parents are mainly guided by "children's satisfaction", so I put forward the following suggestions on toy selection.
7. 1. 1 meets the health and safety requirements.
Whether safe toys and materials are safe and hygienic is the most basic standard for choosing toys. The party in March 12 revealed the truth that children's plastic toys are made of medical waste, so parents must keep their eyes open when buying toys.
7. 1.2 Entertainment
Toys attract children not because of its educational function, but because it is interesting and can satisfy their own pleasure, that is, toys are entertaining. The vivid images, bright colors and exaggerated designs of toys deeply attract children and become their close partners.
7. 1.3 education
All kinds of toys, although they have different functions, should be conducive to promoting children's development in a certain way, so that toys can receive certain educational effects while entertaining children.
7. 1.4 accords with children's physical and mental development level.
Children of different ages have different levels of physical and mental development and different needs, so toys suitable for their age characteristics and needs should be provided to promote their better physical and mental development.
7.2 Suggestions on the use of children's family toys
7.2. 1 Wash toys regularly
Toys are tools to promote children's development and children's "close partners". However, toys are also carriers of parasites. A survey in Xin Chen shows that there are a lot of parasites on children's toys, and parasitic diseases are common diseases that affect children's growth and development. Therefore, parents must always clean and disinfect their children's toys.
7.2.2 According to the children's age, choose the correct guidance mode.
Children of different ages need different toys, so the guidance mode should also change according to their needs. There is no correct guidance, so parents should know more about the toys that children need at all ages and give correct guidance.
7.2.3 Cultivate children's habit of arranging toys.
Cultivating children's habit of tidying up toys will not happen overnight. First of all, make rules and tell children to pack up their toys in time after playing with them. Secondly, while urging children, we should always encourage and praise them and let them taste the "sweetness" of sorting out toys. This will make it easier for children to accept.
7.2.4 homemade toys
According to my own observation in kindergarten, children show great interest and creativity in the process of making toys. At the same time, Bao Aihua found that hand-made toys can improve children's innovative thinking mode, improve children's practical and innovative ability, cultivate children's cooperative spirit, and cultivate children's self-confidence and concern for others and their own labor results. Therefore, parents should always encourage and accompany their children to make toys, which is not only beneficial to their development, but also makes them happy.