Let Toys be Toys Award
Absolutely thrilled that Little Twidlets has been awarded the 'Let Toys be Toys' Toymark award. But what is it and why does it matter to us?
The Let Toys be Toys campaign sets out to smash the gender stereotyping in toys and books, which means that they are asking retailers, manufacturers and advertisers not to brand toys as 'just for boys' or 'just for girls'.
Toys send subtle..and sometimes, not so subtle messages to children and when brands package a toy. Think about a doll in a pink dress, inside a pink box, with a picture of a girl on the box, this suggest to children that this is a 'girls' toy and suggests that girls should be playing with these type of nurturing, home making toys. Whereas, all though girls absolutely can play with dolls, boys can also.
It works the same the other way round also, 'boys' toys are often more adventurous, scientific or construction based, such as dinosaurs, action figures, or building bricks and this sends an idea that boys are smart, strong and brave but we know that girls can be all those things also.
Toys such as the awesome Den kit that represents children equally and Button and Squirt, who also hold the Toymark from Let Toys be Toys are some of our favourites so check them out but all collections on our website have the same ethos.
This matters because we don't want to limit children by gender stereotypes. We want all children to grow up in a world where they have equal opportunity to be whatever they want to be and that's why on our website all the Toys, games and resources are all gender neutral, we don't have a 'boys' section or a 'girls, not even on our clothing lines.
Let Toys Be Toys believes: that play is a vital part of child development and can help shape long-term attitudes and ambitions. When toys are narrowly divided into ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ or signposted along the pink/blue divide then we risk limiting the possibilities and interests of our children.
Find out more at:
https://www.lettoysbetoys.org.uk/ or search the hashtag #lettoysbetoys on social media.