Dice, a Deck of Cards, Blocks and More; why don't we celebrate the original play platforms?
From Gifts and Dec
The concept of a "play platform" (think consoles, hand held devices, computers and more) is so tightly affixed to technology play formats that we forget that they actually predate the video game industry by thousands of years. Any system that allows various games to be played using it is ultimately a play platform.
For example, dice and the ball, two of the earliest play platforms had their origins in uneaten animal leftovers. Dice were made from the knucklebones of sheep ("roll them bones") and balls were made from animal skins or bladders. They allowed for a multitude of activities to be played. Just think of how many games are based upon dice and balls. Dice allow us to play anything from Craps to Dungeons and Dragons (not to mention their use as a randomizer in a countless number of games) Balls are basis of anything from soccer to kick ball.
Many play platforms came from the minds of creative men and women:
•Checker boards
•Marbles
•Playing cards
•Chalk
•Blocks
•Clay
•Ball
•Dominoes
•Dice
Some play platforms were derived from repurposed everyday objects:
•A piece of cardboard,
•Pipe cleaners
•A cardboard box
•The sidewalk
•The driveway
•An empty spool of thread
Others came from nature:
•A backyard
•The beach
•A tree
There are many more and I am sure that you can add to my list. But here is my question; why does the toy industry treat its platforms so poorly and why is so little time spent on creating new ones? That in my next posting.
Renu commented:
his attention span has not grown yet. just give him time. and if he likes certian cartoons buy things that have that character on it. when you buy a item you should also show him several times how it works and play with him or her. When my son was small his most favorite toy was a plastic car that he could take apart and put back together. the cheapest toy out of all i had bought. Cost me one dollar at walmart. I showed him how he could roll it into the wall and that was all it took. just take him to toy store also and see what catches his attention.
Isha commented:
Personally, I don't think you can teach your dogs the difference beewten baby and dog toys because to him, toys are toys and they look the same. I would just keep the baby toys in one area and the dog toys in another. It may settle a little confusion. Sooner or later the dog will catch on: my toys are over here and the baby is over there playing with hers . Any time you see him trying to play with the baby's toys, correct him. Hope i helped atleast a little. Also, you may want to let the dog/baby play at the same time but in different areas. This way the dog won't take the baby's toys and vise versa.
Anne commented:
It is a sad commentary on society that the above mentioned platforms are no longer attractive. Stores like Walmart and Target are now saying to toy manufacturers if your toy doesn't interact with a tv, computer or phone in some way we don't want it on our shelves. Creativity will become a lost art.
