(Câu hỏi & trả lời của Mr Simon, nguồn: https://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/07/ielts-speaking-part-3-childrens-toys.html)
Do you think it's important for boys to play with "boys' toys" and for girls to only play with "girls' toys"?
I think boys naturally seem to prefer playing with "boys' toys" and girls with "girls' toys". When I was young I had toy cars, trucks, guns and things like that, whereas my sister always wanted to play with dolls. I don't suppose it really matters if a boy plays with a doll or a girl plays with a toy car, but children learn quickly what toys are supposed to be for boys and for girls.
Do you think it's good if parents only buy "educational" toys for their children?
No, I don't agree with only giving children educational toys. In my opinion, children learn by playing with whatever interests them. Children invent their own games, even if they don't have any toys at all. It's important for children just to have fun; there will be plenty of time for parents to worry about education when their children get older.
(Câu hỏi & trả lời của Ms Liz, nguồn: http://ieltsliz.com/model-answers-for-speaking-part-3-toys/)
Why should be considered when buying toys for children?
I reckon one important thing to think about the age of the child. If a child is only a couple years old, you shouldn’t give them toys which contain small parts that could be swallowed and cause the child to choke. Another thing to consider is whether the toy will continue to entertain a child for a certain period of time. What I mean is, if the toy will only interest a child for five minutes, it isn’t really worth buying. It is better to choose something that they will enjoy for months or years.
How have toys changed compared to the past?
I guess the main change is in electronic toys or battery operated toys. In the past, people used to only give simple toys to their children that were often handmade. Nowadays people preferred mass-produced toys that are the recent trend. Those types of toys are often exciting electronic toys, such as computer games. Another difference is that toys decades ago were so simple that children had to use their imagination and creativity to find enjoyment in using them. I think today’s toys stimulate less creativity in children on the whole.
Why do parents buy a lot of toys for their children?
I guess some parents are materialistic. They think that if they buy many toys for their kids, they are being a good parent. Another reason is that children have short attention stains which means that some parents buy toys to keep their child quiet and out of their way. But I think the main reason is probably the power of advertising and peer pressure which drive children to want more toys and pushes parents to buy them.
Is it good for children to play with toys?
Yes, I think so. Some toys that can be bought are educational and are very important for early learning. Educational toys profile a great way for children to develop skills such as spatial awareness, motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Furthermore, toys can give children a safe way to explore the world and learned about colours, shapes and textures. However, I must admit that some toys for older children, such as computer games, can become addictive and, at that point, those types of toys are not beneficial.
