"Playing is essential for a healthy physical and mental development of children" | Key4Communications |

Inma Marín is in front of Marinva Games and Education, a consulting firm that bases its proposals for communication, training and participation on games. Marín also presides IPA in Spain, the international association for the right of children to play, and works with companies and associations related to play and childhood, as the Observatory of Children's Play and Kid's Cluster. Marín knows well the benefits of games and playing, and does not hesitate to stress that we should play throughout life and not only during our childhood.

Are families aware about the importance of playing for children?
If they were aware, they would devote more time and space to play, and what they do is simply buying toys, which is the easy part. They have the information and knowledge, but they have not fully internalized the fact that playing is essential for a healthy physical and mental development of children.

And toy professionals, both manufacturers and distributors, are aware this importance of playing?
Overall, and little by little, manufacturers and distributors increasingly believe in the value of  playing, but sometimes this message is used more for image than as an actual belief. Much has been done, and for example the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ) is doing a great effort, but there is still work ahead.

What are the main characteristics that a toy should have?
A toy is valuable insofar as it can stimulate the ability of children to play. Toys have to entertain, propose challenges, provoke curiosity... As we develop in different areas (motor, cognitive, emotional ...), what matters is not only each toy, but that the repertoire available to children allows to develop all these aspects with a variety of appropriate toys and games.

In the early 70s, the industry tried to explain the importance of toys and the need for them to be present at schools. It was then when some toys carried the 'educational' label. But an educational toy is every toy that helps learning, and not only those that present school contents. A ball, a bicycle, a doll, can be as educational as a jigsaw, although they do not carry this label. Any toy that encourages playing a good educational toy.

What are the main benefits of playing?
There are many and they also depend on age. In fact, at every age we like to play to what is necessary for our development. When we start to walk, we like toys that strengthen the legs; when we start talking, we like word games.

The main benefit of playing is linked to physical and mental health. Concerning physical health, we should mention all games involving movement. And in reference to all mental health, we have all games that provoke a desire to think, to dream, to speak, to love, to discover, to experiment ... Playing allows us to face life in a satisfactory manner, empathize with others, take on challenges and take risks.

And this benefits are at all ages. Playing does not belong to childhood, but to the human being. Mental health in old age, for example, is closely related to the ability of maintaining a playful attitude.

What do you think about the fact that children are replacing traditional toys by electronic devices?
All societies have given toys two very important things: first, the prevailing values, and second, technical and technological advances. We can see this, for example, on prehistoric stone dolls and the current plastic ones, without forgetting the ivory or bone dolls of the Romans, for example.

We are currently doing the same: we live in the information society and toys also reflect this fact. We have even enriched the repertoire of play with new playing ways, that allow for example to play with people at a distance and that are also extending the age of play. The problem is when these games replace all others. They are positive when incorporated as a plus and, for example, children play Scrabble at home with friends and also through a smartphone app. All this is an enrichment if it is used appropriately and at the right ages.