In the dynamic landscape of the toy industry, a significant shift is underway, challenging traditional norms and embracing diversity. The conversation around diversity in toys has gained momentum in recent years, as parents, educators, and advocates recognise the importance of offering children a more inclusive play experience. Let's examine the impact diversity in toys can have on shaping young minds and fostering a more inclusive society.
Breaking Gender Stereotypes:
One of the critical aspects of diversity in toys is challenging and breaking down gender stereotypes. Traditionally, toys have been categorised as "for boys" or "for girls," limiting children's choices and reinforcing outdated gender norms. Progressive toy companies are now creating products that defy these stereotypes, offering dolls for boys and construction sets for girls. This shift not only encourages inclusivity but also promotes the idea that anyone can pursue any interest, regardless of gender.
The Power of Representation:
Toys serve as powerful tools for shaping a child's worldview and understanding of the world around them. Representation in toys matters because it reflects the diversity of the real world. When children see themselves represented in their playthings, it validates their experiences and fosters a sense of belonging. Additionally, exposure to a variety of perspectives through toys helps children develop empathy and an appreciation for the rich tapestry of human experiences.
Cultural Diversity in Toy Design:
Acknowledging and celebrating cultural diversity is another crucial aspect of the evolving toy industry. Incorporating elements from various cultures into toy design not only provides children with a broader understanding of the world but also helps combat cultural stereotypes. Toy manufacturers are increasingly recognising the importance of offering a diverse range of cultural representations, ensuring that children from different backgrounds can see themselves reflected in their play.
The Role of Educational Toys:
Educational toys play a significant role in promoting diversity and inclusivity. They can be designed to teach children about different cultures, languages, and perspectives. By incorporating diverse characters and narratives into educational toys, children can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the world, laying the foundation for a more inclusive future.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Toy Industry:
While the toy industry is making strides towards inclusivity, challenges remain. Stereotypes and biases are deeply ingrained in society, and breaking away from them requires a concerted effort. Additionally, ensuring that diversity in toys is not just a marketing trend but a genuine commitment to inclusivity is crucial.
In conclusion, the evolution of diversity in toys marks a positive shift in the way society approaches play and childhood development. By challenging stereotypes, embracing cultural diversity, and promoting inclusivity, the toy industry has the potential to shape a more open-minded and accepting generation.
Parents, educators, and advocates play a crucial role in encouraging this transformation, ensuring that the toys of today reflect the diverse world our children are growing up in. As we continue to advocate for change, let us celebrate the progress made while recognising the work that lies ahead in creating a more inclusive and diverse toy landscape.
]]>Why Cultural Diversity In Toys Matters
You may ask, "so what sorts of toys should I be on the look out for?"
Types of Diverse Toys
There are many types of diverse toys for toddlers, including:
Benefits of Diverse Toys
Diverse toys can help children develop:
In conclusion, diverse toys are an important part of your child's development. By providing your child with a variety of toys that represent different cultures, abilities, and experiences, you can help them learn and grow in a more inclusive and empathetic way.
]]>I would love for the days where it is thought that only girls should play with dolls and tea sets, while boys play with trucks and tool sets, to be long gone – but I know this is far from reality so I want to talk about why dolls (in general) are important in every child’s playroom, regardless of gender; and why black dolls specifically are also important, regardless of your child’s skin colour or ethnic background.
Children make sense of the world through play; and of people through doll play. When children role play using dolls, they are able to talk through and process varying emotions, developing and rehearsing social skills that help them relate to other people in the real world.
]]>I would love for the days where it is thought that only girls should play with dolls and tea sets, while boys play with trucks and tool sets, to be long gone – but I know this is far from reality so I want to talk about why dolls (in general) are important in every child’s playroom, regardless of gender; and why black dolls specifically are also important, regardless of your child’s skin colour or ethnic background.
Children make sense of the world through play; and of people through doll play. When children role play using dolls, they are able to talk through and process varying emotions, developing and rehearsing social skills that help them relate to other people in the real world. Mattel, the creators of Barbie announced in Oct 2020, results from a study they had carried out with a team of neuroscientists from Cardiff University. They found evidence that doll play activates brain regions that allow children to develop empathy and social information processing skills, even when playing by themselves; and that these benefits of solo doll play were shown to be equal for both boys and girls.[1]
When children play with dolls, they model and practice care-giving ie looking after something (read, someone) unable to do so themselves. They carry and rock the dolls in their arms, feed them, change their clothes, and put them to sleep.
Being a care-giver, being able to nurture and look after another living thing cannot and should not be gender specific. Dolls are a good way for all children to practice this literally life-giving skill.
Layered on top of the above 2 benefits of doll play, is the need to reflect the real world during play time. Store shelves and online shops need to reflect this reality as well, to broaden consumer choices. As children create imaginary worlds during doll play, and talk about their and others’ feelings and emotions, it is imperative that they are able to explore dolls with different skin tones, different cultures, different hair and facial features…dolls of different sizes and heights, and of different physical abilities than their own. These need to be normalised during play time where they can safely process thoughts and emotions about these differences. Parents and educators alike need to positively shape these conversations around diversity and playtime is potentially the best time to do this.
Specifically for those racialised as black – playing with a doll that looks like them shows them that they matter in society and that they are seen. This is not just about having “black and white dolls” because the narrative that accompanies the skin colour has to be positive. This video aptly breaks down the importance of positive representation using dolls in the Brown vs Board of Education case that was instrumental in overturning school segregation in the United States[2].
I daresay, before Black Panther was released, many children, regardless of their skin colour, had not conceived the notion that there could ever be a black superhero simply because they hadn’t *seen* one. This is one of the reasons why the movie was so successful. It is also one of the reasons why I created a black female superhero doll for my sons.
As my first son was approaching toddlerhood, I realised none of the toys and books at his nursery or even at home featured characters that looked like him or represented his beautiful African culture and heritage. I resolved to do something about this as I wanted to bond with him over meaningful games and toys and also keep him connected to his roots somehow. I set about designing puzzles that featured his culture, as well as other African cultures. As I was working on the illustrations for the Yoruba culture, he caught a glimpse of it and exclaimed “Look Mummy, it’s me, you and Daddy”. He was so excited! It occurred to me that at age 3, this was the first time he’d seen his family unit illustrated in a toy. It broke my heart – but also made me super excited about the joy this could bring into other homes and this is how I discovered my passion for promoting diversity and representation in toys and games.
I believe it is one of the best ways we can develop a more inclusive society – after all these children are our future leaders; our presidents, policy makers, police officers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, influencers, entertainers, everyday members of society. We all have a responsibility and a part to play in shaping their upbringing so that they do not inflict any more damage on already marginalised and under-served communities. Who would’ve thought you could do this through play!?
[1] https://corporate.mattel.com/news/new-study-shows-that-playing-with-dolls-allows-children-to-develop-empathy-and-social-processing-skills-6816013
[2] https://www.history.com/news/brown-v-board-of-education-doll-experiment
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You want your children to be happy, healthy, and strong…but I think most of all you want them to be kindhearted, empathetic and considerate - leaving the world a better place than they found it…am I right or am I right? 😉
Apart from living out these values and being an example for our kids, I think books are a fantastic way of introducing and encouraging the concept of empathy and kindness to children and getting them to think about the impact of their words and actions.
Here are some books in no particular order, loved by the boys, that do this so well, IMO:
]]>You want your children to be happy, healthy, and strong…but I think most of all you want them to be kindhearted, empathetic and considerate - leaving the world a better place than they found it…am I right or am I right? 😉
Apart from living out these values and being an example for our kids, I think books are a fantastic way of introducing and encouraging the concept of empathy and kindness to children and getting them to think about the impact of their words and actions.
Here are some books in no particular order, loved by the boys, that do this so well, IMO:
Kindness is my Superpower by Alicia Ortego - Lucas learns that being mean to a classmate is hurtful and makes them cry. After a talk with Mummy, he decides he's going to be kind to everyone he comes across, including his family members, schoolmates and neighbours. With this, your Littles will learn that kindness comes back to you when you are kind and that kindness can be learnt by everyone. Rhyming language is used and there are suggestions of simple acts of kindness included right at the end.
Ara Becomes Thundergirl by Folasayo Williams - I bet your Littles love Superheroes right? There's no cooler, "fun-er" way to introduce kindness to children. With this book, they will discover kindness is literally a superpower. With beautiful, colourful illustrations and a helper certificate, they will be encouraged to give consideration to the people they see day to day, and actively seek out ways to help them...because we are superheroes when we're kind!
You, Me and Empathy by Jayneen Sanders - An exploration of feelings and emotions. Quinn, the protagonist, relates other people’s experiences of fear, illness, sadness to when he experienced the same, and is able to respond with kindness and empathy. Has discussion questions as well as a list of suggested activities to promote kindness.
I am Human by Susan Verde - Your Littles will recognise their zest for life and exploration within the pages of this book. They will also recognise / remember that they’re not perfect and will make mistakes. They can hurt others and be hurt themselves. But also that they can move forward, apologise when necessary, act with compassion, and be the best version of themselves that they can be.
We’re Different, We’re The Same by Bobbi Jane Kates for Sesame Street - Using rhyming language, this colourful book highlights that while we may have different noses, mouths, eyes, hair, feelings, bodies, and skin colour, we’re all the same in that our body parts perform the same functions and help us appreciate life. We’re all unique, special and wonderful and our different attributes are what makes the world fun.
PS: This is not an ad, neither is there any commission earned on any purchases of these books. Just sharing what the boys love. Hope you love them too!
]]>Eeeeek!! I said it!! I said two words that you’d never expect to be strung together in a sentence – ‘excited’ and ‘chores’. I feel like I’ve broken some cardinal rule by even suggesting this, because surely, this is not possible!! :D
....
Looking after your living space, keeping it clean and tidy, and having consideration for anyone you may share this space with is nothing but a vital life skill, regardless of your gender. So why not make it fun for everyone?!
]]>Eeeeek!! I said it!! I said two words that you’d never expect to be strung together in a sentence – ‘excited’ and ‘chores’. I feel like I’ve broken some cardinal rule by even suggesting this, because surely, this is not possible!! :D
You see in typical Nigerian (or African) culture, chores seemed to be the preserve of only the girl child; with boys practically being excluded from the kitchen or from doing any form of cleaning altogether. Let’s not attempt to step through the impact of this behaviour right here and now, but I’m glad to say that these stereotypes are being challenged and changed by our generation.
Looking after your living space, keeping it clean and tidy, and having consideration for anyone you may share this space with is nothing but a vital life skill, regardless of your gender. So why not make it fun for everyone?!
It’s never too early to be intentional about these things. As always, I believe setting a precedent from a young age, means these are values and habits that will be carried into adulthood.
Here are some of the things I think can help make chores fun:
We don’t want to frustrate our Littles by giving them chores or tasks that they can’t complete easily. Our 3 or 4 year olds may not be able to mow the lawn, but they can certainly help by sorting laundry by colours or pairing socks together.
In fact, they’re likely to love showing off just how well they know colours and what each item of clothing is.
Last (or first) to *insert action* is a *insert phrase*”. Imagine the excitement and rush to the finish line this’ll create for your little one.
Don’t forget to join the race yourself!
The rewards don’t have to be monetary. I still get surprised at how excited my 5 year old gets when he receives stickers or a certificate for doing something nice. It never gets old.
Bundle up rewards (stickers or certificate) to reach a fantastic and exciting goal or treat. 10 (or 100) stickers or certificates could result in a chocolate bar (or a trip to Disneyland!).
Here we can go as big or as little as budget allows.
We want to create links between the action and positive attention. Whether it’s picking up after themselves at home or inviting a friend from school over because no one wanted to play with him/her. Acknowledging this behaviour, and saying “That was really nice when you helped Mummy set the table” can literally be enough.
Never underestimate the power of giving your Littles a choice. Choosing to do homework means choosing to watch TV for an hour afterwards for example. The inverse is the case.
So the phrasing is important – it’s important to use the word “choose”. This has saved battles because the link between action and consequence is made clear and they are empowered to choose which outcome they desire.
This way it becomes an expected activity / habit and the little ones come to expect that “Saturday mornings are for hoovering” for example.
I’ve found the desire to nurture almost always comes naturally with kids. They love to take responsibility and ownership of the wellbeing of something / someone…be it baby brother or sister, a pet, a houseplant or a doll.
I think this is an easy win and teaches important life skills.
9. Don’t force it
I hope by the time some or all of the above have been applied – there really won’t be any need to force it.
But even so, sometimes we may just need to take a break and then try again later.
Until next time!
Toodles 💜
Ever consciously thought about how best to provoke discussions of responsibility, compassion, and mindfulness with young children? I think these are all concepts that should be introduced to and instilled in children from a young age so that they don’t depart from such behaviours as they grow up and face the ‘big bad world’.
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empathy/ˈɛmpəθi:
The ability to share someone else's feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person's situation.
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Thinking through the above was just one of the paths that led me to writing Ara Becomes Thundergirl. I wanted to create a fun character that kids could love and relate to; a character and story that could easily become a reference point for easy ways to show kindness to the people around us in and outside of the home.
So here are my 5 top tips for this:
1. Read Books on Emotions together.
This is a great way to:
(i) Help them understand and process their own feelings, and
(ii) Help identify the same emotions in other people and how to react.
Here are some of our favourite children’s books on this topic:
2. Model It
At home, on play dates, while out and about with your Littles, anywhere possible. More is caught than taught - so it is important to let them *see* you help out anyone who needs it. For eg grocery shopping or batch cooking for a sick neighbour, volunteering at a shelter etc
3. Acknowledge their feelings
Happy feelings, sad feelings, angry feelings.
"I know you're sad because xyz happened. I would be sad too if it were me"
"Yayyy, I love to see you so happy - I'm also super excited about xyz.
4. Acknowledge your own feelings
As adults, we've had a lifetime to learn how to regulate our feelings. Children are only just beginning this journey. It's ok to talk about our own sad, angry and happy feelings too, and what we need emotionally. When we do this, we model the behaviour we want them to emulate.
"Mummy/Daddy is a bit frustrated at the moment, can you please be patient with me while I...."
5. Apologise Freely and Often
"Have you eaten?" doesn't count (Where I'm from, in some contexts, this is often code for "I care about you and/or I'm sorry, but I'm too proud to utter those actual words")
It is important to use the words "I am sorry for..." with our children as it signals taking responsibility for our wrong actions and restores trust in the relationship.
So…there you have it. Hope you’ve found it both interesting and helpful :)
Until next time!
Toodles 💜
]]>"Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success - more than their family circumstances, their parent's educational background or their income" (Source: OECD)
Like everything else, things are looking a bit different this year including #WorldBookDay.
It is customary for children to wear costumes on World Book Day and then go to their local bookstore, and buy books with the £1 token they would've received from school.
]]>"Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success - more than their family circumstances, their parent's educational background or their income" (Source: OECD)
Like everything else, things are looking a bit different this year including #WorldBookDay.
It is customary for children to wear costumes on World Book Day and then go to their local bookstore, and buy books with the £1 token they would've received from school.
Thank you 'Rona for changing that this year 🙄
We are being creative over here by celebrating #WorldBookDay in different ways.
Here are some creative ways you can engage the littles on #WorldBookDay while locked down.
Host a mini quiz with your kids and ask them questions about their favourite books. E.g is there a thunderbolt on Ara’s armour?
Do not forget to reward and incentivize them to make the activity more fun.
Writing a story expands your child's imagination and helps them organize their thoughts and feelings.
Get your Littles to write a one page (or whatever is appropriate for their age) story that has a clear introduction, middle and end.
You're introducing them to the concept of a 'narrative plot structure' by doing so. You never know - you may have a budding author in your home!
Make World Book Day a personal challenge for the kids by involving them in handwritten activities.
There are so many amazing activity books that are sure to keep your Littles busy for hours on end and expand their vocabulary as well.
Peep our Thundergirl's Self Awareness Workbook for example, and FREE printables online!
Ain't nothing wrong with having a little fun while doing chores - like reorganizing a book shelf with your Littles! Who knows, maybe they’ll fall in love with an oldie all over again?🤷🏾♀️ Win-Win!!
If you really want to step up the fun factor and let the perfectionist in you out, arrange them by spine colour or height!
Is it weird that there is something very soothing about a perfectly organised bookshelf? 😂
Because you can never have too many books
.....but you already knew that 😉
Purple cape and mask anyone???
So which of these activities would you be exploring with your little superheroes today? 💜
]]>I thought about how we show love to our Littles and how easy it is to do so through the right toys. For me, these are mainly open-ended toys. Toys that can be used in a variety of ways depending on the child, their mood and how they may be feeling on any given day ie toys that encourage imagination and foster creativity like building blocks, magnetic tiles, figurines among many others.
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It’s the season of love and I just couldn’t resist writing on the topic! I’m sure by now, many of us have come across the concept of ‘love languages’ i.e. the way in which we feel most loved and appreciated. I’m also sure that for the most part, it’s so much easier to think about this in the context of how we show love to romantic partners.
But love languages aren’t just for lovers, right?
I thought about how we show love to our Littles and how easy it is to do so through the right toys. For me, these are mainly open-ended toys. Toys that can be used in a variety of ways depending on the child, their mood and how they may be feeling on any given day ie toys that encourage imagination and foster creativity like building blocks, magnetic tiles, figurines among many others.
As you may know, the 5 love languages, in no particular order, are Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Gifts and Physical Touch. Let’s look at these in turn:
Give the gift of uninterrupted time by sitting and playing with your Little(s). For the child who primarily needs your undivided attention to feel loved, you watching them play and enjoy their self-confidence as they smash each challenge means everything!
Words of encouragement and accomplishment are often shared by grown-ups as children focus on completing a task / challenge. For the child who absolutely thrives on kind, uplifting and loving words, this could be just the thing!
Babygirl / Babyboy feeling stuck on a particular piece of the puzzle (literally and figuratively)? While the aim is to encourage independence and self-confidence, sometimes the best act of service is to guide your Little One through a new process, teaching him/her tips and tricks to doing it themselves the next time.
Gifts and presents which are age appropriate and well thought out mean the world to the child who sees gifts as a symbol of your love. They don't have to be expensive gifts either. This lends itself very well to a well-timed plug 😊 Go on - you know you want to purchase a puzzle or book 😉
Is there a better way to celebrate finishing off a puzzle or reading a book than a warm cuddly hug, a high-five or a fist bump? Nah...I didn't think so.
Make use of just another reason to fill your quota for the child that appreciates physical touch. I'm yet to come across a little munchkin that doesn't love a good ol' cuddle or snuggle.
So what do you think? Do you know your child’s love languages and have you been speaking the same language either intentionally or inadvertently during playtime? Drop a comment below!
To find out what your child’s love language is, check out Gary Chapman’s quiz here. Throw in a cheeky quiz for yourself and partner as well if you want 😉
Until next time!
Toodles 💜
]]>Hello and welcome to the Sheni & Teni Blog!
Here we will talk about all things African culture, parenting, play and wellbeing. We’d love for you to follow our journey and I think it’s fitting to start off this journey sharing a bit of the inspiration behind our debut products – Sheni & Teni’s African Cultural Puzzles.
So…it’s 2018 and my first son is turning 3. I desperately want to find ways to bond with him and create opportunities to learn while playing. As a Nigerian mother in diaspora, I also want to find exciting ways to keep him connected to his culture. I want him to see the vibrant colours and the beauty of Yoruba culture. I want him to experience as much of it as possible through the toys and books he reads. But after searching high and low – I cannot find anything that would help me achieve this purpose.
I realise I also want him to learn about cultures other than his own. There is no reason to stop at just Yoruba culture. I want him to be well-rounded, knowledgeable about, and embracing of other cultures...celebrating the differences that sometimes threatens to separate us. And then I think…”Ok I can’t find anything that does this for me right now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t create it myself”…and that’s how this small business was birthed!! 💃🏾 💃🏾 💃🏾
So then…why is it important to introduce our (and other) cultures to our children? Why is it important to have a diverse bookshelf or play area?
1. Celebrating culture provides a frame of reference and context for the reason certain things are done a certain way.
2. Celebrating culture creates a sense of shared cultural identity, community and belonging.
3. It opens up channels of creativity and expression of talent; be it dance, photography, music and much more.
4. It helps us embrace (not just tolerate) other cultures.
See our Metro Feature here for even more on these 5 reasons.
Hope you've enjoyed our debut post. Have a question or a comment? Please share - we'd love to hear from you 😊
Toodles 💜 x
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