Examination of toy preferences – play skills and aggression tendencies of 60–72-month-old children

The purpose of this research is the examination of toy preferences and play skills of 60–72-month-old children according to aggression tendencies. The study group of this research includes 307 people consisting of 60–72-month-old children continuing their kindergarten in Cukurova district of Adana and their parents. As data collection tools, ‘Personal Information Form’, ‘Informed Consent Form’ and ‘Toy Preference Form’ were prepared by the researchers to learn the toy preferences of the children after reviewing the relevant thesis. The ‘Aggression Tendency Scale’ and ‘Play Skill Scale’ were used. In accordance with the studies carried out, it is seen that the play skills of the participants differ according to the aggression tendency levels in all sub-dimensions of the aggression tendency scale and there is a negative interrelation. In addition to this, it is seen that the most preferred toys among the children with a high aggression tendency level in all sub-dimensions of the aggression tendency scale are the war toys. It is suggested to make attempts for the determination of the variables effective on the aggression tendency levels and play skills, realisation of more scientific researches regarding the issue of aggression that might have devastating results in social terms and the development of the play skills of the experts working with the children. Keywords: Toy preference, play skill, aggression tendency.

The value of toys: 6–8-year-old children's toy preferences and the functional analysis of popular toys

The aim of this study was to explore the kinds of toy preferred by 6–8-year-old children, asking: how, and on what basis, do children rationalize their preferences for particular toys? Data were collected by interviewing children in their homes. Children chose eight toys from a tailored catalog and explained why they wanted those particular items. Toys were analyzed with the aid of a framework designed to test their functional manipulation potential. The children's reasoning was analyzed by means of inductive content analysis. Two kinds of values were found: (1) those which reside in the toy itself and (2) those which children give to toys. Sub-categories relating to material, social, and personal values were identified from the given values. The present paper deepens knowledge of the value of toys not only as playthings but also as cultural artifacts which children use as one form of their voice.