Roleplay is very popular amongst young kids. It’s a type of creative play that exercises the imagination and can teach the child how to act in certain situations.
One of the scenarios often re-enacted are doctor and patient interactions. This creates a positive image of healthcare professionals in the child’s mind, and by pretending to be a doctor they might even discover their lifelong passion. One of the best ways to engage in this type of play is with children’s doctor playsets, which is why there are many excellent ones on the market today.
Doctor kits are the type of toy that comes with a variety of small parts. And every kit is different, so there are things you should take into account when shopping for a Doctor Kit toy.
Why Buy a Toy Doctor Kit?
There are a myriad of reasons why your child should play with doctor kits.They can learn to be compassionate and care for others by taking on the Doctor role, and it’s a great socializing exercise that presents the opportunity for your child to learn how to ask questions and actively listen to the answers.
It’s also a fun method to combat anxiety surrounding doctor’s appointments. Your child will be more confident around healthcare professionals if they can practice scenarios in the comfort of their home with people they trust.
They can perhaps even explore a possible future passion and career. It is very early for them to be thinking of such things, but many people have their minds set on what they want to be from a very young age.
What You Get
Some kits come with just the basic tools and aren’t all that hard to keep track of, but some come with as many as 60 parts or more. Buying the bigger kit may seem better, but you will find yourself in a daunting situation when there are little parts everywhere and you can’t keep track of all of them.
Luckily, some kits come with carrier cases, bags, and some even turn into suitcases. The child will be more inclined to tidy up if the storage container is part of the set and goes with the Doctor theme. Not only can it make playtime more fun for them, it will make your life easier.
Types of Tools
You want to make sure all the basics are covered. A fake syringe, a stethoscope, and a thermometer are the kind of tool that every kit will have. But many will go above and beyond that and include every tool you can – and can’t – think of.
But does more equal better? Not necessarily. Sometimes when given too much choice, your child may grow bored quicker. But overall, a variety of tools would broaden the child’s knowledge and help them recognize a wide variety of objects commonly used by doctors. It’s a double-edged sword, and you just need to decide what would suit your child’s personality better.
Types of Doctor
Just like all doctors in real life don’t specialize in the same things, Doctor kit toys also cover a few specialties. You can get doctor kits for general physicians, surgeons, dentists, and even veterinarians.
Age Appropriateness
You can get Doctor kit toys for kids as young as three, which are likely to include fewer pieces and no small objects that can present a choking hazard.
Bigger kits with a lot of small pieces are catered to older kids who aren’t prone to putting things in their mouths anymore.
As long as the objects are safe, any child can play with them. But some include Doctor coats and scrubs that won’t fit every child, so you will want to stick to the age range in those cases.