Most children have heaps of toys. If their grandparents are blessed with longevity, the heaps probably double in size.
The love for toys and playing comes as no surprise - "play is the language of children. It is to children what verbal communication is to adults," explained Mary Rose Baldacchino, a certified play therapist, school counsellor and trainee in filial therapy.
"Play is the child's natural medium of self-expression, and is essential to the development of a child. It is a medium for expressing of feelings, exploring relationships, describing experiences and disclosing wishes."
The advantages of play are various: "Play is essential for children to develop physically, emotionally, and socially; it fosters imagination and creativity; it encourages confidence and concentration; helps children to make friends and learn about their expanding world; it allows them to learn from mistakes safely; and it can be used to establish a relationship," Ms Baldacchino added.
Another important function of play is the therapeutic capability, whether as a bridge to enhance communication channels or as an opportunity to 'play out' their feelings and problems, it helps the child who is encountering behavioural or emotional problems, to help himself.
Ms Baldacchino explained that emotional problems often stem out of a feeling of insecurity which is closely linked to the quality of his attachments/ relationships.
Thus, difficulties are the result of the environment around the child, and are related to the constant figures in the child's life.
"For example, at a young age, a baby may cry if the mother is out of sight for a few minutes, but livens up upon seeing her again.
"At an older age, a child may suffer emotional distress because of separation problems or the constant nagging of his parents at home. The parents' negative behaviour at home may diminish the child's sense of security that he or she is more likely to find in a stable home.
"Bullying also threatens their security, whether this takes place at school or at home. For example, it is still common for parents to emotionally blackmail their children, even if they do this without realising. A common example is when the parents request help from their children and pass on a comment that failure to do so implies that the child does not love his or her mother," Ms Baldacchino remarked.
Play therapy is a young therapy, and is now gaining popularity because of the attractiveness of play to children.
"Play is the child's language, and thus is an important means through which one/an adult can establish a relationship with the child.
"In fact, children act out their emotions through play, whether it is through the use of toys, or through role play.
"The safety cannot be underestimated. Through play, a child can simulate a conversation with a friend; he can build an imaginary relationship; learn how to be expressive."
Without taking away the pleasure children get from toys in general, there are certain kinds of toys which enable children to use their imagination and become more creative.
"Mechanical toys give little space for children to put their creativity into use. In fact, the child's creativity is at the mercy and depends upon the mechanics of the toy. On the other hand, toys like building blocks, figures and miniature toys allow the child to be creative and through the use of the child's imagination can become whatever the child wants them to be," Ms Baldacchino said.
"In addition to these, art and craft materials, stories, puppets and masks, sandboxes and home-made dough are also excellent for the stimulation of a child's imagination, and can provide endless hours of fun not only for the children but also for their parents."