Play That Grows

Comomg's toys don't come with just one fixed way to play. We keep them simple so that children can discover play on their own and keep expanding it. On this page, we introduce the idea of the "Pillar of Play" that Comomg values, along with actual ways to play.

Toys with a Single Pillar of Play

Children aren't meant to be played by their toys — they play on their own. As they think and experiment for themselves, play naturally grows.

What Comomg values is that each toy has a single, simple and clear "Pillar of Play." For example, the pillar of Donguri Korokoro is "walking down a slope." Precisely because the pillar is clear, children can build on it in their own ways — lining them up, racing them, making slopes. On the other hand, toys packed with too many functions dictate too strictly how they should be played with, leaving children no room to come up with their own ideas.

Playing with Donguri Korokoro

From a single pillar — walking down a slope — play keeps growing and growing.

Playing with Neko Block

Stack the cats and blocks one after the other — how high can you go? It's also fun to combine them with building blocks you already have. (See Neko Block)

How Adults Can Take Part

There is no toy you can simply hand over and consider the job done. Just as you would read a picture book together, please play together from time to time. When you do, offering hints rather than giving the answers is just the right distance.

When children are absorbed in play, they don't need new toys. Adding something that enhances their current play a little is plenty. When they start to lose interest, just slightly changing how the toy is presented or played with, or adding an element of a game or a story, will spark their curiosity again.

As long as it isn't dangerous, there's no need to stop children from playing in ways that differ from the intended use. A way of playing that a child discovers on their own is proof that play is growing. Donguri Korokoro, too, is a toy that was born from ways to play that children discovered.