While still in its early phase, a growing number of toy marketers are embracing MESH — or mental, emotional and social health — as a designation for toys that teach kids skills like how to adjust to new challenges, resolve conflict, advocate for themselves, or solve problems.
Many toys that could be considered MESH happen to already be in children’s toy chests — like memory games, puppets, certain types of Legos, Pokémon trading games, and Dungeons & Dragons. The concept was highlighted at the toy industry’s recent four-day annual show in New York, which featured an abundance of toys from the likes of hand2mind and Open the Joy that encourage children to express their feelings with mirrors or puppets.
Dave Anderson, vice president of school and community programs and a senior psychologist in the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, applauded the toy industry’s efforts to likewise address emotional resilience. But he said parents need to be careful about claims that companies may be making. While there’s evidence that skills highlighted by the MESH taskforce can build resilience, there’s no evidence that the toys themselves will, he said.
Visitors to Babyland General Hospital aren't referred to as customers; they're going to be parents. And don't you dare call it a toy store. "We are a hospital for babies. We do not sell dolls," says Tina Crocker, who pulls the Cabbage Patch Kids out of the ground, delivering them into the world. Greg Bledsoe takes the Family Geography Project to Cleveland, Georgia to check out the patch from whence the Cabbage Patch Kids came.
“You don’t want to rush up to somebody and say, ‘Hey, how’s your mental health today of your kids?’” Derr said. “That’s why local toy stores are a great place to start because of our relationships with the community, customers and teachers.”Sarah Davis, the mother of three boys ages 3, 6 and 9, is open to the idea of MESH toys.