subject: Empowering Toys For Glamorous Girls [print this page] If you are the parent or grandparent of a young girl then you will know the kind of toys being promoted by TV shows, toy companies and peers. The toys and figures generally seen as appropriate by others are glamour-focussed with the emphasis on material possessions, looks and financial success.
While these are all aspects of our lives, as parents we might choose other values for our daughters to focus on such as intelligence, empathy and focus. To empower girls in these areas start very young. Girls identify with the toys that are bought for them so purchasing Bratz and related toys with a very superficial focus will validate those characteristics in young girls.
So what are a few toys that parents can choose to give girls so they can grow up with a different focus? Choose toys that don't objectify women's bodies and looks. If you child does like playing with dolls try the Tinker Bell and Disney fairies range. While these characters are beautiful and slim, it is the least of their virtues.
Each has their own talent, and Tinker Bell's speciality is working with her hands and inventing things, a rather rare role model for girls. The fairies work together to solve problems and are brave, intelligent and trustworthy.
If fairies aren't your daughter's scene try the Adorable Originals dolls, specifically designed to help girls with body image. The brand has won numerous awards over the years and is a favourite of parents, kids and critics.
If your girl does likes clothes, instead of just buying dolls to dress, encourage her to make her own with either fabric or paper. Klutz has a range of paper fashion activity books which include outfit stencils to trace, mix and match and colored/patterned paper, ribbons, beads and buttons. Girls can create costumes based on their own designs and paste them in collages or onto paper dolls. The books don't simply focus on modern glamour but also include fantasy themes as well. These toys teach creative design skills in a practical, hands-on way.
These are just a few ideas to consider, though there are many more. It's important that our daughters and grand- daughters are empowered by the toys they receive not simply placated.
Empowering Toys For Glamorous Girls
By: Inger Fountain
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