Child safety is of paramount concern to a mother and father. When it comes to toys, wood may be the safest option for children as an alternative to plastic or metal. This notion is even more apparent when younger children tend to stick everything in their mouths.
It's a sad truth that cheaply made plastic toys can easily break and splinter, leaving sharp, harmful edges and pieces. These pieces are pointy enough to pierce the skin and small enough to ingest that they can easily damage a child. For this reason alone, child safety concerns should warrant a deeper look into the toys you purchase.
Natural Wooden Toys Can Foster Creativity in a Young Child's Mind
High-quality natural wooden toys like those offered by CUBOS wooden toys made in Canada, offer less risk. Not only are they less likely to break and cause your child harm, but they are more likely to withstand the test of time. Wooden toys can also be a boon to your child's long-term health as they encourage a child's imagination. However, not all wooden toys are created equal.
Wooden toys can help a child to focus, concentrate, and become calm more than any other type. Not only is wood better for a child physically, but it can also have a neurological impact on the brain.
Blocks made of wood are the original STEM toy. These toys require dexterity, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination to stack and balance. Wooden toys can also elevate the learning of skills essential to mathematics, such as pattern recognition and matching.
Some Wooden Toys are Toxic
Plastic-free toys like Montessori wooden toys are a safer alternative for your child. Toys such as puzzle blocks and play furniture are generally safe. Unfortunately, natural wooden toys made in mass production can potentially contain harmful chemicals.
This potential is based entirely on the wood, its treatment, and the toy's manufacturing process. Toys made with pressed wood, like particle board or plywood, may contain formaldehyde. Fumes from paints and sealants used on the toys can also release chemicals that are harmful to a child.
Other harmful chemicals that can be found in toys are:
- Lead
- Bisphenols
- PVC and Phthalates
- Flame Retardant Chemicals
Imported toys tend to have a higher likelihood of containing one of these substances, as regulations in certain countries can be considerably lax. When selecting toys, try to choose only those from the US, EU, and wooden toys made in Canada.
What CUBOS Toys Offer
CUBOS offers wooden toys made in Canada from which your child may choose and interact. Our natural wooden toys are made of sustainably sourced materials such as non-toxic stain-free hardwood, beeswax, milk paint, and 100% pure tung oil.
Our wooden toys made in Canada will stand the test of time, lasting longer than the alternative cheap plastic mass-produced variations. Natural wooden toys are usually a more peaceful alternative as well. They allow for a much quieter environment without the noise you'd typically get with many plastic toys.