The meltdown that made it all clear.
Ever experienced a meltdown? I have, and quite recently too. And we are not just talking tears, we are talking the full-blown meltdown kind. Screaming, thrashing, pushing their dinner plate away, shouting no to everything, hitting, kicking, and refusing everything.
I wanted to share something personal with you—one of the most challenging evenings I’ve experienced as a mum. In these moments, we find ourselves exhausted, overwhelmed, and questioning our abilities as a parent. I did.
Then, it hit me.
The day had been non-stop. Errands, chores, car trips—our 3-year-old tagging along for every stop. We kept her occupied with what I call ‘short-term fixes’—the loud toy, the one-and-done craft, the quick distractions that buy you 10 or 20 minutes. And look, there’s a time and place for those. But this was the aftermath.
By the time we got home, desperate for a break, we leaned on screen time. An hour and a half passed, then—TV off, dinner, bath, bed. But she wasn’t having it.
And now I knew why. She hadn’t 'played' all day. 'Deep play', the kind that lets her create, explore, process. She had been shuffled from one thing to the next, given quick hits of engagement but nothing truly enriching. No open-ended resources. No play that filled her up.
And now, at 5:32 PM, she was done. Done being managed, done being moved along, done feeling disconnected. Her little body needed what she had missed.
It was a hard evening. But it was also a confirmation of why and how play and resources/tools (toys) truly impact our children. Because play isn’t just fun—it’s how our little ones make sense of their world. It’s how they learn to regulate emotions, build patience, and feel seen.
That night reminded me why toys matter. Why intentional play matters.
And if you've ever had a moment like this, I wrote something just for you.
So, why do toys matter?
The resources we offer them, the opportunities we create, they matter—shaping not just the moment, but the child before us.
By age three, your child’s brain is 80% developed.
High-quality toys stimulate neural connections that influence problem-solving, memory, and creativity for life.
Intentional Play Builds Security and Connection
Consistent, responsive interaction, helps our children feel seen and valued.
Through Play, Toys Can Teach Emotional Regulation
Open-ended play strengthens the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that manages focus, patience, and emotional control.
Every play experience shapes who they become.
The tools we choose matter.
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