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Aussie Parents Replace Video Games with Fun Educational Toys

Wed, 3 Oct 2012 01:00:00 EST

VICTORIA, Australia October, 2012 – Video games started to replace traditional toys in the early 1970s and have continued to seemingly 'invade' all aspects of children's play.  But innovative parents are attempting to return to the basics of real toys that provide the opportunity for fun and educational playtime. Australian parents concerned for their children's online safety and mental wellbeing are attempting to wean their children off video and computer games, giving them less screen time and more learning time with 'real' toys and games.
 
'It is believed that excessive video game playing may reduce a child's empathy or his/her willingness and desire to help others,' writes author Chandramita Bora. 'Excessive playing of video games can have an adverse impact on the academic performance of a child. It can also result in social isolation, as children tend to spend less and less time playing and interacting with family members and friends.'*
 
Australian mum Kelly Brough founded an online educational toy store in 2011 after becoming frustrated with the plastic fantastic toys largely available in chain toy stores. Kelly's online toy store Oola provides Australian parents with an option other than plastic toys or video games, because Oola only sell fun toys that teach – toys with educational benefit. www.oola.com.au/
 
As a family business, Oola's Chief Toy Selector for Girls is Leila, Kelly's daughter in grade 3. Daughter Ilyana who is in kindergarten is the the Chief Toy Tester.
 
Instead of video games that focus on violence and destruction, Oola's new fun and educational toys provide open-ended play options that help children develop independence and self-confidence.  Instead of video games that encourage isolation, little communication and lack of empathy, Oola's fun toys that teach facilitate the development of a child's ability to think logically and strategically, all in the context of living cooperatively and harmoniously with others.
 
Particularly noteworthy are Oola's cooperative games, all designed to develop a child's people and social skills.  The 'Feed the Woozle' cooperative game requires all the players to work together as a team, feeding the hungry Woozle 'chocolate-covered flies or hairy pickles,' within a given time.  In 'Race to the Treasure', the team of players needs to work together to race with the Ogre in getting to the treasure, and the 'Mermaid Island' educational game allows players to test their team skills against a Sea Witch