“An inclusive toy box can promote positive racial/ethnic, gender, and cultural identity development for children. It’s important for children to see themselves reflected in their toys” Dr. Amber A. Hewitt
Representing a diverse society in a child’s toy box from young age is crucially important to not only the way a child can understand and see themselves within society but others. Positive representation matters, diversity matters. Making these small choices to buy and educate your child a friends child, a classroom, an after school club makes a real difference.
As we can’t control all influences and education from society we need to compensate by creating a world and education ourselves and then we need to over compensate our subconscious where society has left holes. A child learning and playing without seeing themselves represented in a positive light can start to believe they don’t matter and a child who is represented will notice others that aren’t. If every child grew up with positive representation of not just themselves but others we would be making real progress.
Here’s a helpful list of Books, Toys, Dolls and Games to buy for a diverse toybox
Books
https://pyramidbooks.indielite.org/book/9781454920069
Toys
Dolls
https://www.babipur.co.uk/plan-toys-afro-american-doll-family.html
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8877912
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/552225928/onedearworld-dolls-rag-doll-hope
Games
Activities
https://store.barefootbooks.com/global-kids-deck.html