There's something inspiring about knowing that humans throughout all of history regardless of culture have experienced innocence, joy, and play at some point in their their lives.
The detail that caught me was Julia using her doll to rehearse dinner parties and accompany her father on imaginary work trips. That's not just cute - it's actually what developmental psychologists call narrative play, and it turns out it's one of the primary mechanisms through which children build theory of mind. The ability to simulate other people's mental states, to imagine scenarios you're not currently in - it starts with a doll and a story you're making up on the floor.
What strikes me is that the toy changes completely across 5,000 years - ivory, terracotta, fur and walrus tusk - but the underlying cognitive function stays identical. The child isn't just playing. They're rehearsing selfhood. Running simulations. That's not a cultural invention. That's architecture.
Kinda sad to think that some of these ancient toys continue to live in museums and displays, while the kids who once played with them have long since been turned to dust.
I went to the Indian National Museum in New Delhi. There was a whole section of toys and kid's jewellery from the Indus valley period. It included miniature utensils, toy carts, miniature animals and human models, whistles, mazes, board game pieces and stones that resembled the game "Pithu" that is still played by many kids in the Indian subcontinent even today. 20-25 years back many of these clay toys were still visible in rural parts of India. Though they are now replaced by plastic ones.
My favorite artifacts from the past are children's doodles and schoolwork that have survived the generations. It shows children have always been children, even if they were in a culture which valued childhood less than others.
I loved the way the children were depicted in this video, the pure delight in their faces and voices. Made me happy today. (Or, more correctly, made me happier than usual.) This kind of unmitigated joy is something we adults learn to suppress, alas.
I could see the value of a store that sells such ancient childrens' games and toys as another way to introduce "living archaeology", which as a former reenactor I always love the ideas and practices of
there is something so heartwarming about the idea that kids have always played and had toys. no matter what year they were born or what part of the world they grew up in
I never understood why play is considered a children's thing. I always told my parents to play with me not only because I wanted to spend time with them, but because I knew that they would enjoy it as well. Play is way more than just recreation.
Not too terribly long ago, archeologists found a bunch of seashells and such pretty far from where they would have been found naturally and came to the conclusion that they had found a child's collection, probably gathered while travelling. Idk why, but it made me emotional lol
It’s simple: when children play, they learn. That’s why TED-Ed has partnered with The LEGO Foundation to inspire a global movement to transform how people of all ages think about play. Visit www.ted.com/play to learn how play can lead to brighter minds, braver ideas, and a more imaginative future for everyone.
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What strikes me is that the toy changes completely across 5,000 years - ivory, terracotta, fur and walrus tusk - but the underlying cognitive function stays identical. The child isn't just playing. They're rehearsing selfhood. Running simulations. That's not a cultural invention. That's architecture.
Thank you for answering my question, I did asked myself if toys always existed along their purpose we grew up with.
-Toys
-School