How to Foster Inclusivity During Playtime
We are all trying to teach our children about the world around us in the best ways possible. How to interact with others, how to accept people for who they are, how to recognize and celebrate our differences. We want to shape the hearts and minds of our little ones to love themselves and those around them.
But as parents ourselves, we recognize this is not an easy feat. It’s something we work on every day. From how we speak to our children to how we interact with them and those around us. Because so much of what they learn is from what they’re exposed to. Which is why we try to instill the values of inclusion through the products we choose for them. So that we can teach our children how to champion our differences and celebrate one another.
From books to games to toddler and baby toys, there are lots of options that celebrate diversity and promote inclusion. Here’s what we’re stocking our playroom with, to help build an inclusive environment for our littles to explore.
Toys for Inclusive Learning
Toys and games play a crucial role in children's development, shaping their understanding of the world and fostering creativity and social skills. We love toddler and big kid toys that feature diverse characters and storylines, like Kids Crafts. All of their kits are tied to diverse, trailblazing women and their incredible stories. With Philly & Friends, you can find puzzles and jigsaws that were built with diversity in mind, so that all children could see themselves and others represented. We also love eco-friendly toys like Solobo that engage a child’s individuality and meet them where they are.
Dolls with Representation
One of the best ways to bring inclusion into the playroom is by having representation. Have intention with the dolls you introduce to your little ones. First, find dolls that reflect your children - ones that celebrate their differences and look like them. Second, bring in dolls that represent their friends, neighbors or others who may look different than them. This is a great way to teach them about our world’s diversity. We love Tikiri Toys rubber dolls, which retain a child's warmth when held, making them the perfect companion. And we especially love Philly & Friend’s celebration of uniqueness and inclusion with their handmade fairy, ballerina and boy dolls.
