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I’m curious if anyone else involved in HomeNurtureCircle finds themselves downplaying the role of conventional toys? It truly seems like so much of the focus is on experience-based learning and fostering creativity through natural materials that the sheer volume of plastic toys marketed to kids feels almost antithetical to the entire beliefs. We focus more on things like art supplies, access to nature, and open-ended projects than on building extensive toy collections.
My kids definitely still have some toys, of course – a few favorite stuffed animals, some simple wooden blocks, and construction sets that get used frequently. But I've noticed they're much happier playing outside, creating things from found objects, or helping with "adult" tasks like cooking than they are with commercially produced toys. We’ve even repurposed old kitchen gadgets for sensory play.
Is this a common sentiment within HomeNurtureCircle,or are we an outlier in prioritizing experiential learning and minimizing material possessions when it comes to our kids' engagement? I’d love to hear other people's perspectives on how they balance the desire to provide engaging activities with the potential for toy clutter and overstimulation.