Summary: ** Sustainable Minimalism (the book based on THIS podcast!) is out now! <a href="https://amzn.to/3r2mcut" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get your paperback or e-book copy here.</a>**<br> <br> Your Minimalist Play Room: Why Basic is Best & Less is More<br> Got kids? If so, you’ve also got toys. If you’re like me, you may also have a play room that’s bursting at the seams with active, plastic toys.<br> Parents want to provide novel play experiences for their children, as no one wants their kids to be deprived. But the sad reality is that inexpensive and poorly made toys are played with just a handful of times before being discarded.<br> Today I’m speaking with Rachael Classi of <a href="https://www.tinyearth.co/#waitlist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tiny Earth Toys</a>, an educational toy subscription curated by learning specialists. Rachael is on the show to discuss what research says about toys and play; she also offers her best suggestions on how to foster diverse play experiences for children without buying junk.<br> Here’s a preview of this week’s episode:<br> [6:10] What ‘basic is best’ really means (with examples of passive versus active toys)<br> [11:00] What to look for when acquiring toys for your child<br> [19:00] Practical tips for steering clear of gendered toys<br> [25:00] Eco-friendliness in the play room<br> <br> <a href="https://www.tinyearth.co/#waitlist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sign up for Tiny Earth Toys’ no-obligation waitlist here!</a><br> <br> Resources Mentioned In the Episode: <br> <br> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/singletons/201712/study-underscores-why-fewer-toys-is-the-better-option" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Study Underscores Why Fewer Toys Is the Better Option</a> via Psychology Today<br> <a href="https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/play/specific-toys-play" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What the Research Says: Impact of Specific Toys on Play</a> via National Association for the Education of Young Children<br> <a href="https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/143/1/e20183348" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era</a> via Official Journal of the Academy of Pediatrics<br> <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-16941-y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scientists’ Warning On Affluence</a> <br> <br> <br> * <a href="https://www.charliebanana.com/pages/minimal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This episode is sponsored by Charlie Banana.</a> Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order!<br> <br> * Want more episodes like this one? Check out <a href="https://mamaminimalist.com/094/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#094: Minimalism for Moms: Parenting the Simpler Way</a>.<br> * Join our (free!) community <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.<br> * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook,</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mommyminimalist/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> + <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mommyminimalist/pins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pinterest</a>.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br>
