Childhood and toys

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Do you have one of these? Why do you think children, and adults alike, love teddy bears?

What kind of toys did you play with when you were a child? Do you still keep them?

Did your parents pass down any toys or games?

What kind of toys have stood the test of time?


Toys  and games
Can you name any of these toys and games?
























All images Public domain




You will find in this museum a really interesting collection.

Reading. Toys today and then
According to the text:
  • How many toys do children get these days? 
  • How many did you get?
  • How many did your parents get? and your grandparents?

1) Read this article from The Guardian and answer the questions above.

2) Now read the following statement from the text

"(Children) get overwhelmed and over-stimulated and cannot concentrate on any one thing long enough to learn from it so they just shut down. Too many toys means they are not learning to play imaginatively either," she says.

Do you agree with this statement?


3) Later in the text we find

"A study by the University of Stirling recently concluded that expensive, hi-tech toys are a waste of money - children learn just as much from playing with an old mobile phone". 

Do you agree with this statement?


Speaking
You are going to discuss in small groups "Has technology ruined childhood"? Get ready to provide arguments in favour and against.

Don't forget to use linkers and conjunctions
A- cause/reason: as, because, considering (that), given (that), in view of the fact that, since
B- condition: as long as, assuming (that), provided (that), if, supposing (that)
C- contrast: despite this, in spite of, regardless of , although, even though, having said that
D- precaution: in case, in the event of
F- focusing on a previously mentioned topic - as far as toys are concerned, speaking, talking of/ about toys, regarding toys, with reference to (very formal, business letters) 



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