We’ve incorporated these basic values into the design of Pasteltoys, in an effort to create a product that will transmit the message we  believe in.

The ability to cooperate is among the most important to the members of Kishorit, as it is to people of all ages everywhere. After all, no man is an island. Interpersonal and social skills are crucial to integration into society. The skills of sharing and cooperation should be imparted to children from a young age, and toys are a most enjoyable ways to do this. After all, for the child who is beginning to learn the benefits of human society, playing with other children can be both productive and enjoyable – perhaps more so than playing alone.

Besides, some games simply cannot be played alone. Board games, for example, require at least two players. Ball games are more enjoyable when played by a group, as are social games like “tag” and “hide and seek”. These games teach the child that he needs other people to achieve certain things – even if the “achievement” is simply to have a good time.

Moreover, cooperative and collaborative games make some things more enjoyable. It’s great when a child learns to build a castle with wooden blocks, or to drive around in a toy car. But cooperation brings play to a whole new level. Encourage your child to build his castle with a friend, who might add a wall, moat or tower. Playing with a toy vehicle is more fun if the child thinks she’s driving a bus with her friends as the passengers.

Even a simple puzzle or an assembly toy with an appropriate level of difficulty can provide an opportunity to practice sharing.

Lastly, play that requires cooperation fosters a sense of belonging. Toddlers who enjoy creative projects should be encouraged to create things with their friends, siblings, or with an adult. Finger painting and making a collage are some examples. You can then write the names of the “collaborators” on the finished project, and hang it proudly on the refrigerator. This will help the child feel she has participated in something important, helped decorate her home, and is an integral part of this thing called the family. Shared creative activities can reinforce ties among siblings, and give older children a chance to take responsibility and teach, and younger children a chance to feel they can learn from an older sibling.