Part 1: Post on the blog your reflections about the readings and finally describe what play is for you. (two to three paragraphs)
One of the inspirations I have from the readings is its significant cultural effect. I have been hearing people arguing that there is cultural output through books, movies, for instance, they would say American Captain make children in China know the existence of American style superhero but ignoring local superheroes. Now I am thinking about if toys have the same influence – since people are actually putting their thinkings on the toys too. Toys are not innocent, pure, cute things anymore. Toys in the markets are clearly divided by gender – I am really familiar with this. Coincidentally I cleared up my childhood things during the vacation, and found so many pink toys including but not limited to barbies, cook toys that I didn’t open at all. I love Ultraman since I was a little girl and still possess many Ultraman toys, but my parents and grandparents would say “why do you like boys’ toys? You really behave like a boy.” I understand that there was no malice in their words, but from their attitudes towards me and the toys, I can really conclude that the producers’ gender ideas on toys worked pretty successfully (I am definitely against the idea though).
What’s more, the definition of play is not simple anymore. Initially, I thought when combined with toys, play is only the sort of play that happens in your childhood’s background. Homo Ludens give more explanations on the cultural significance of play. Like something that doesn’t really matter, but either cannot be explained as instinct, play is defined as “the highest goal of man’s endeavor”. It is not a necessity but humans will not be able to develop as a real, normal human being without it. There are some very illuminating and vivid explanations, like “play is a stepping out of ‘real’ life into a temporary sphere of activity with a disposition of its own”. There seems to be a place that you can play and ignore all kinds of depressions and worries in your real world.
Just as the concept above has illustrated, play for me is a time and place to release my pressures. Generally speaking, play is an enjoyable thing for me, that I can spend this piece of time with something I like in my own little world. It is something goes“outside and above the necessities and seriousness of everyday life”. I do not desire to have billions and go travel around the world, lying on my bed playing with my stuffed toys is pretty enough.
Part 2: Mention your favorite toy(s). Why do you like it? How do you play with it? What is the target user for this toy? Is it still in the market? Research about your favorite toy(s) and write your thoughts on how your toy connects with the concepts from the readings. (one to two paragraphs). Include in this post any media or link you consider helpful.
My favorite toy now is a stuffed cat toy (besides my phone). I love it because it is fluffy… Last summer I was seriously sick and when lying on my bed I wanted something that I can hug and warm me. I definitely want a puppy or kitty, but I am slightly allergic to fur so I had to give up. That’s why I chose to buy it and it is very loyal to accompany me on my bed or on my belly or in my arms when I am asleep. It is still in the market and I think it is a pretty popular type of stuffed toy in the market – but this one is mine, it is unique.
One thing I am satisfied with is that the toy is not targeted to a specific gender – in the product description they only say it can be used for babies, but no “boys/girls”. However, it is always difficult for me to get rid of these cute stuffed toys – I have had more than ten stuffed toys on my bed right now, more being thrown away or be kept in the box. I am definitely not trying to play them or to learn anything from them, but just finding a shelter separated and isolated. I furthermore checked the titles of the toy on Taobao, and the title echoes with the need when people searching for this type of toy too. Turning to the auto motorbike I liked to play during primary school, the theory from play’s roles in humans works since play can function as a means of suppressing aggression and promoting cooperation. I am not sure if it can really promote cooperation, but I can get familiar with my classmates by joining the mini motorbike competition, which brought me a lot of fun during my childhood. “A play-community generally tends to become permanent even after the game is over”. That is true cause even the teachers confiscated our motorbikes – or our tiny plastic cars, glass marbles, we can always be a great game union whenever possible.
