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

Abstract

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 was collected by interviewing children in their homes. Children chose 8 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.

Evaluating the Impact of Design Affordances in Preschool Children's Toy Preferences

“…This research paper has reviewed the importance of adopting a UCD approach when users are preschool children and why a toy's innate qualities need to be understood. Further to Mertala's et al (2016) toy affordances in the functional manipulation potential model, two other affordances are being proposed: affective and persuasion affordances. These five affordances can be exploited during the development of toys and AT devices such that the desired play activity or intervention is delivered to children without compromising on the play experience.…”

“…Furthermore, these toys could easily allow cooperative play. Using Mertala's et al (2016) model for toys, these three toys can be said to have the functional manipulation potential phenomenon, that is, these toys have intentional built features that provide pragmatic, attractive and adaptive affordances, and can be manipulated in various ways depending on the users. Toys that had pragmatic affordances led to higher quality play behaviours and longer engagement time than other toys.…”

“…Adaptive affordances are present when the toy offers more than just one play role. Mertala et al (2016) discovered that 6-8-year-old children's toy-preferences are based on four overlapping toy values which are functional play, material, social and personal. In (Hinske et al, 2008) various guidelines on how to design augmented toy environments are shown.…”

“…Only Gielen's framework can be used during the conceptual design stage while for the other models, the designer must already have a concept of the toy unless the models/frameworks are adapted to provide support in the conceptual phase or any other phase of the design. Although no system provides any proactive support to design decisions, that is, anticipate any play behaviour or consequences during development, Mertala's et al (2016) model provides the foundation to describe toys in terms of different affordances. Following these observations, it could be concluded that the toy designers need better frameworks or support tools to enable them to take a holistic view when designing toys.…”

“…By exploiting the element of playfulness in toys, designers can tailor the design of the toy towards the end user or else enhance it to create a better and more fun play experience. Mertala et al (2016) developed a low-level model that translates toys into characteristics, called the functional manipulation potential model. A toy can represent a realistic or a fantasy object and falls under all three affordances.…”