How many times have we heard from our parents and even more from our grandparents “there are no more games than they used to be …”?, WHY IS TRADITIONAL PLAY IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN?

In part we can affirm what has been said since the advent of consumerism has produced several changes, especially in the structure of society. New mechanisms have been introduced which, today, interact with new balances in the cultural sphere. These mechanisms have greatly influenced and conditioned the playful aspect: we are facing a real revolution in which computer-based games such as tablets, smartphones, PCs and videogames prevail. These words are not meant to be a criticism of the new technology, but we want to answer a question that, probably, many of us are asking:

 “How much can these games be defined as“ educational ”?

Surely, each game is a child of its time and adapts to the social and cultural context in which it takes place. However, several researches and studies conducted in the USA have stated that these new technologies risk annihilating and weakening the interpersonal and social skills of the child. The lack of relationships, creativity, imagination mean that the game is mutilated from its authenticity and its educational aspects.

What, then, do we mean by traditional games? Traditionality, in our meaning, is given above all by the “natural” aspect and therefore by the material with which games are made; let’s think for example of wood, or softer materials such as the classic fabrics used for rag dolls, there is still plastic and in some cases metal.

All these materials have several elements in common and make playful activity more authentic.

Simple wooden constructions, for example, allow us to capture some fundamental elements: first of all the natural pigmentation. A game with bright colors such as red, green, yellow, greatly captures the attention and curiosity of children. No less important is the tactile characteristic, in fact, a game with rough or smooth material, rather than soft or hard, allows the child to experience new sensations, bringing the playful moment closer to a learning moment. Finally, there is the characteristic of weight: the latter gives the game greater authenticity and realism.

Another positive aspect in favor of “traditional” games is the time that parents can spend with their children , in which it is possible to fortify emotional relationships but also to impress an educational style. Unfortunately, tablets or smartphones are less socializing and less educational games, in which parents can do little. Furthermore, they less stimulate the child’s creativity and imagination and almost totally annihilate motor development.

We believe that today it is difficult to give parents univocal advice on the choice of games, however we think that, especially in the most delicate and vulnerable age, (which is that of childhood), it is right to make the needs of the child prevail, offering him games that can stimulate him in creativity, communication and motor skills.

Time spent with your children, playing with them is certainly a time of greater quality: dear parents, the choice is yours.