The idea of the toy library comes to me from a Government library in Delhi. So interesting as it is, it comes from the most clunky of mechanisms in our country. I want to say this upfront, as so many have asked me how I came to think of it. I am not sure how the original toy library is run, but this is how I want us to run ours at LearningInq.
The idea is that if parents see children coming home with toys, and they find these children interested and occupied with appropriate toys and games, they might consider that the activities they are otherwise engaged in are inappropriate and often a direct violation of the children's right to childhood.
As was expected, some of the teachers found it difficult to trust the children's ability to look after the toys or to return then to the centre as is required. Parents sent children back to the centre when they came home with the toy thinking that the child had walked away holding it without permission. But it took just a week's persistence to gain confidence in the children's ability to be responsible and trustworthy.
Lending toys to the children is a regular feature of the centre and we are hoping it makes a subtle dent in making childhood more meaningful for children and parents alike.
The idea is that if parents see children coming home with toys, and they find these children interested and occupied with appropriate toys and games, they might consider that the activities they are otherwise engaged in are inappropriate and often a direct violation of the children's right to childhood.
As was expected, some of the teachers found it difficult to trust the children's ability to look after the toys or to return then to the centre as is required. Parents sent children back to the centre when they came home with the toy thinking that the child had walked away holding it without permission. But it took just a week's persistence to gain confidence in the children's ability to be responsible and trustworthy.
Lending toys to the children is a regular feature of the centre and we are hoping it makes a subtle dent in making childhood more meaningful for children and parents alike.
