Have you ever thought about why toy aisles targeting the toddler stage often have replicas of real things? Pretend vacuums, remotes, kitchens and utensils, drills, hammers – you name it.
For one, it sells. Why? Toddlers reach for these things at home in everyday life, and so they appeal to parents who are eager to help toddlers meet this curiosity.
The ordinary is extraordinary to toddlers
It’s developmentally purposeful for young children to immerse themselves in their real surroundings because it helps them process this world they were recently born into – yes, even if it’s simply to observe the garbage truck or move a light switch up and down.
Toddlers crave concrete before abstract, or real before pretend
Imagine moving to a new country where everything was unfamiliar. In order to get oriented, you’d be drawn to experience as much of your surroundings as possible. You’d want to taste the food, walk the streets, observe the people, and listen to the language. Sure, the abstract art and stories found in books would be cool to absorb, but it wouldn’t compare to your initial drive to process the “real” first.
In general, having a concrete foundation makes it easier to move into the imaginary and abstract. This is how the imagination develops. For young children, the beginning stages of developing their imagination are fueled by plentiful exposure to what is real first.
This means, you don’t need to buy all the pretend replicas
In early toddlerhood, you’ll want to be sure you’re not restricting exposure to what is real in favor of redirecting to pretend. It’s great to offer both. Pretend alternatives can be great for satisfying a current interest, helping them process their experiences, and offering repetition of related skills. However, balancing this with functional tools that help your toddler accomplish real things lends crucial benefits to their physical and cognitive development.
Sometimes, the real tools adults use are too large and can pose a safety hazard when not scaled appropriately for toddlers. For Small Hands is a great resource that solves this need by offering real, functional tools that are child-sized.
In short, the next time your toddler reaches for the real vacuum, wants to help you wash something, or seems interested in pouring their own drink – avoid discouraging this and hold time for them to try it with the same willingness you’d lend for pretend!