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Images of children enjoying their preferred playthings

Children's book writer Katrin Schmitz and the Neighbourhood Home Wuppertal open daycare center have collaborated on a photography project featuring kids and their cherished toys. These captivating images can be seen at the Central Library (Kolpingstraße 8) until August 8, 2025.

Images depicting children and their preferred playthings
Images depicting children and their preferred playthings

Images of children enjoying their preferred playthings

In the heart of the central library, a unique photo exhibition is captivating visitors, showcasing the meaningful connections between children and their cherished non-screen-based toys. The display, housed in the library's staircase gallery, features thirty-two portraits of children with their current favourite toys, all drawn with intricate details using colored pencils.

The project, designed to highlight play behaviour away from increasing digitalization in the everyday environment of elementary school children, encourages free, creative, and individual play behaviour. The toys on display, chosen without any screen influence, bring joy, excitement, help with boredom, provide comfort, and are best for engaging with friends.

The exhibition's focus on traditional, tangible toys emphasizes their emotional and developmental importance in contrast to digital devices. Each child's portrait beautifully captures the relationship they have with their favourite toy, drawing attention to its role in their life and imagination. This approach serves as a refreshing contrast to modern tendencies for children to engage increasingly with screen devices.

The project includes an interactive learning component through a quiz associated with the photo exhibition. This engaging element encourages visitors to delve deeper into the world of these children and their favourite toys, making the exhibition an educational experience as well as a visual treat.

By preserving the emotional significance and playful essence of these objects in children's lives, the exhibition creates a visual narrative about childhood connection, development, and identity. It deliberately excludes screen-based toys to underline the value of traditional play, offering a glimpse into a world where physical toys continue to play a crucial role.

The project extends its narrative to the realm of home-and-garden, reminding us of the significance of traditional, non-screen-based toys in shaping a child's lifestyle and fostering a more balanced and engaging play environment. The toys on display, with their ability to bring joy, ignite creativity, and facilitate social interaction, serve as a compelling reminder of the emotional and developmental benefits they offer.

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