Meet Claire - Our General Committee Member

How long have you been a TL member?

We joined in 2018 when our baby was four months old, and have loved every toy we’ve borrowed.

Why did you join?

I’m a primary teacher so I know just how vital play is to children’s learning. Toys promote imagination and communication in any age, and are so important for children’s language development.

I am also concerned about the impact of consumerism on the environment, so borrowing rather than buying toys made so much sense to us. Plus, the annual fee is such great value for money.

What do you like about the Toy Library?

I love the variety of toys in the catalogue. It’s so easy to be inspired by the huge range. Every toy helps a child practice different developmental skills, from gross and fine motor tasks, to emotional intelligence or a sense of rhythm! The toy library lets my bub have a taste of everything, without leaving me with mountains of stuff to store.

Do you have a favourite toy/type of toy?

As a sucker for jigsaws myself, I’d have to say the puzzle section is my favourite part of the toy library. Puzzles are a great way for children to build their spatial, reasoning and co-operation skills. Doing a puzzle together helps your child to give and follow instructions, ask questions and learn new vocabulary. It’s also really easy to tie a puzzle’s theme in with your child’s wider world. For example, link one of our dinosaur puzzles with a dance to “Dorothy the Dinosaur” and an outing to the museum. Cross-connections like this help embed learning in a child’s developing brain.

Any tips for new members?

Try something new! Don’t let yourself or your child be boxed in by your comfort zones. Borrow a toy you wouldn’t normally borrow - I guarantee your child will surprise you with a skill you never knew they had!