Recent breakthroughs in brain research are providing new confirmation of what various scholars have long said about the importance of play. One recent finding is that the number of neurons in the brain is not fixed at birth, as had been thought for decades. Additional neurons are created throughout one's life, stimulated by various activities that include play. They argue that the computerization of some toys, especially for babies and toddlers, may limit creativity. Most attempts to evaluate toys, whether ancient or modern, are not scientific, said Brian Sutton-Smith, a retired psychology professor who is dean of scholars on the subject of play.
Parents tend to trust what the box says about what it is going to do.
But so many toys that look fun and claim to be educational aren't anything of the sort. She likes sets of multiple small figures, objects and accessories because they lend themselves well to imaginary games and stories. Steven Aarons, owner of Child's Play, a toy store in the District, said he tries to stock his store with toys that will allow children to be creative. Some toys become less open-ended when they are computerized, Levin said. Fisher-Price, she complains, took a line of classic toys, including nesting cups, and put a chip in them so they would talk to children.