In the News

As seen in the New Westminster News Leader

Old-fashioned toys and hobbies seeing a rebirth

Keeping it simple

Karen Smecher is all for activities of the non-electronic sort.

When her daughter Sophia was born, she found most of the toys she had produced all sorts of noises and flashing lights at the push of a button.

Despite that, little Sophia would quickly tire of them and instead play with boxes, bags, balls and simple household items.

Smecher also realized she wasn’t playing with Sophia as much as she should largely because she didn’t like playing with the toys they had.

Realizing there was a market for simpler, more engaging toys, three years ago she gave up her job as an environmental engineer and opened Pedagogy Toys in New Westminster with her husband Craig.

The store emphasizes toys that promote creative play, neutral toys that can be or do anything the children want, unencumbered by the storylines that come attached to those based on licensed cartoon characters or video games.

“Children don’t need anything but their own imaginations,” Smecher said.

“They can make their own noises and sound effects ... You don’t need batteries to be able to play with toys.”

A side benefit is she often gets a better understanding of issues her kids are dealing with through listening to the conversations they give their toys. In the long run, Smecher said, such creative play teaches problem-solving skills that will serve them well as they get older.

Sophia, now six, helps her mom choose toys for the shop, based on what kids her age would be interested in.

She and her little brothers, Ogden, four, and Merek, two, also help test out the store’s wares in the store.

Earlier this week, the two eldest were seen sitting atop the shop’s sales counter, working out a scenario with a collection of penguins.

Board games are also a good way to engage children, Smecher said.

“Spend time with your children, it’s what they want the most.”

By Wanda Chow - New Westminster News Leader