Giving Solidarity Toys and Teaching Values to Children
Solidarity is a social value that consists of acting for the benefit of others in an altruistic way. Thus, giving solidarity toys to children is a good option to promote this value from an early age. By doing this, children learn that they can help vulnerable people through small gestures.
Following this idea, we must take into account that getting involved in satisfying other people’s needs and desires isn’t something we’re born with, but rather something that we acquire and develop through time. Therefore, the best thing to do is to put it into practice from an early age.
“Many small people, in small places, doing small things can change the world.”
– Eduardo Galeano –
Giving solidarity toys and teaching values to children
Through the simple gesture of giving solidarity toys to children instead of commercial ones, children adopt certain civic and social values, such as:
- Empathy.
- Social responsibility.
- Commitment.
- Justice.
Nowadays, many organizations and associations have decided to sell toys, using the profits for social causes related to the most vulnerable people in the world.
Next, we’ll provide a list of solidarity toys that can be a good choice to give the little ones for holidays or birthdays.
Baby Pelones
Juegaterapia organization sells Baby Pelones, small dolls with vanilla scent, whose main feature is the original bandanas they wear on their heads. In this case, all profits go to:
- Cancer research.
- Building nurseries on top of the roofs of different hospitals in Spain.
Solidarity Stories
The Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE) together with The Solidarity Foundation of Carrefour Spain and Disney sell a series of fantastic stories for 2.50 euros each. From this income, 1.25 euros go to:
- The acquisition of adapted vehicles for people with physical and organic disabilities.
- Obtaining technical equipment for the creation of multisensory stimulation environments.
Los Nonitos
Famosa and The Solidarity Foundation of Carrefour Spain sell a collection of stuffed toys called Nonitos, for 3.50 euros each.
All the profits go to the Bbmiradas project. This project aims to facilitate the early detection and intervention of babies with possible autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Unicef Toys
Unicef (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) has its own toys catalogue. Therefore, the purchase of any of its toys is intended to guarantee and protect children’s rights around the world.
The advantages of giving solidarity toys
By receiving solidarity gifts, children observe, experience and learn how easy it is to contribute to the world in a positive way. However, it’s important to let them know where the money spent on those gifts goes towards. Thus, children feel that they’re part of the cause.
Finally, the advantages of giving solidarity gifts are individual and collective, because we’re teaching children civic and social values, while helping those in need.
“It’s important to show solidarity for a child, no matter what. It’s important for a child to be raised where she sees love, solidarity, commitment and honor.”
– Joe Nichols –
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Cordero, M. (2016). Jugamos a ser Solidarios y Solidarias Aprendizaje y Servicio en Educación Infantil (Tesis de pregrado). Universidad de Cádiz, Andalucía, España.
