Girls play with dolls and doll-houses on different cultures

Toys as Artifacts of the Material Culture of Children and Childhood: Implications for Future Research

“…Anthropologic, historical and ethnographic research of dolls proves the dual nature of archaic dolls, which were used by adults in cult traditions and religious ceremonies on the one hand, and by children in their games on the other (Chernaya, 2014). First, the theory of survivals states that artifacts use their utilitarian function when they stop being used by adults and pass into children's hands.…”

“…Research on toys as artifacts of the material culture of childhood points to numerous findings, the most important of which include: a) since the beginnings of organized society, toys have had a significant role in the lives of children and adults, largely reflecting the attitudes and beliefs of adults about their nature, use and functions (Andreu-Cabrera et al, 2010;Ariès, 1989;Chernaya, 2014;Layne, 2008); b) as a consequence of the commercialization of childhood over the past decades, there has been an increase in the number of mass-produced, automated, digital, plastic, PVC and other toys of questionable quality (Rangaswamy, Kumar & Bhalla, 2018;Mihajlović & Mihajlović, 2012;Večanski, 2016;Večanski & Kuzmanović Jovanović, 2019); c) the early academization of preschool education practices and working parents greatly influence the choice and purchase of children's toys (Colić et al, 2018;Diaz, 2008;Lazarević & Malović, 2021) which are primarily perceived as educational tools designed to encourage a child's learning and development (Abdi & Cavus, 2019;Tengfei, 2016). For all these reasons, many are concerned that the nature of toys is being distorted and increasingly removed from the very essence of play and child's nature.…”