AN EXPLORATION OF GREEK PARENTS’ TOYS SELECTION CRITERIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the toy selection criteria of Greek parents, mothers and fathers, whose children are between preschool and first years of primary school (0-9 years of age). It also examines if there are differences in their toy selection criteria in relation to their age, gender, level of education and personal income. We conducted quantitative research with the Toy Selection Preference Questionnaire (TSPQ). The total sample of the research was 356 parents (30 men and 326 women) and was selected using snowball sampling. The analysis of the data revealed various criteria in parents’ preferences by which they choose toys for their children. Parents show the most attention to the developmental, educative and pedagogical aspects of toys but not at the expense of the entertaining dimension of them. The results also indicate that parents are informed also on other critical issues related to toys (design, durability, quality, cost, etc.). Accordingly, they are also sensitized to issues that are relevant to stereotypes, environment and safety. Individual differences are also evident in some cases and mainly in relation to the level of education, age and gender of the parents. Our study contributes to the extension of the scientific knowledge in the field with data from the Greek context. Further research is needed with a sample of a broader population of parents and mainly of various economic and social characteristics. Mixed methods would be also recommended in future research to examine in more depth the parents’ views on toys selection criteria

Keywords

• aspects of toys; evaluation of toys
• parents’ views on toys
• play and learning
• toys’ selection criteria

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