Toying with hand-made gadgets

By Nguyen Thi Thanh Hien, Huong Phung kindergarten

More than 1,000 children in Huong Hoa district now enjoy outside activities with toys made by their teachers and parents.

“Toys stimulate children. My children now want go to school because they have a lot of fun there with their friends. While most of us cannot afford manufactured toys, hand-made toys help us save money,” said Ho Huy Dinh, a father living in Huong Phung commune.

In cooperation with World Vision, the local Department of Education and Training organized several training courses where teachers from six kindergartens and the parents learned how to make toys and teaching aids using recycled or locally available materials.

With rough hands more used to farming, the parents made attractive toys that their children can play with, such as seesaws, swings and bamboo baskets.

Toy-making trainings changed the parents’ outlook. Parents no longer consider providing toys and teaching aids as the sole responsibility of teachers and schools but gradually take on their crucial role in assisting schools to enhance their child care and education mission.