| A toy is an object used
in play. Toys are usually associated with children and pets, but it is
not unusual for adult humans and some non-domesticated animals to play
with toys. Many items are manufactured to serve as toys, but items produced
for other purposes can also be used as toys. A child may pick up a household
item and 'fly' it around pretending that it is an airplane, or an animal
might play with a pinecone by batting at it, biting it, chasing it, or
by throwing it up in the air. Some toys are produced primarily as collector's
items and are not intended to be played with.
The origin of toys is
prehistoric; dolls representing infants, animals, and soldiers, as well
as representations of tools used by adults are readily found at archaeological
sites. The origin of the word "toy" is unknown, but it is believed that
it was first used in the 14th century.
Toys, and play in general,
are important when it comes to growing up and learning about the world
around us. The young use toys and play to discover their identity, help
their bodies grow strong, learn cause and effect, explore relationships,
and practice skills they will need as adults. Adults use toys and play
to form and strengthen social bonds, teach, remember and reinforce lessons
from their youth, discover their identity, exercise their minds and bodies,
explore relationships, practice skills, and decorate their living spaces.
Toys are more than simple
amusement, they and the ways that they are used profoundly influence many
aspects of life. |
