MESH PRODUCTS - PROBLEM SOLVING
Post 3 in a 6 Part Series about MESH
Thinkfun turns their focus to the global youth mental health crisis and how play can make all the difference in protecting and strengthening children and teens. The company’s new initiative brings together stakeholders from all over the toys and games industry with the challenge: how do we build MESH (Mental, Emotional and Social Health) skills through play?
In this bi- weekly column for The Bloom Report, we will look into the different areas of this initiative in depth. This week we share an overview of the initiative.
Mental, emotional and social health requires the ability to navigate change. Change comes at kids in predictable and unpredictable ways that can cause “problems” - moments or challenges they need to find their way through in order to be healthy and grow. Problem solving is a core skill that strengthens a child’s mental health in the near and long term.
Problem-solving requires practice. Most adults find it safer and faster to help kids by showing them solutions or jumping in to fix a problem themselves (and it is faster.) However, watching someone practice a skill does not build confidence or competence, therefore it is essential that kids experience solving problems for themselves.
Using play to build to improve kids’ problem-solving ability and also their confidence in themselves as problem-solvers will make them safer and stronger as they grow. Toys and games that help players build this skill:
- Offer challenges
- Give opportunities to think about different solutions
- Allow those attempts to impact the course of play
Toys and games that are built with problems for kids to solve, with no guarantee of success, are essential learning tools. In well-designed toys and games, the fun that kids experience along the way will encourage them to try and try again, giving them real world abilities they will use for the rest of their lives!
“Toys and Games that make problem solving fun are some of the most impactful products in the development of MESH skills for kids.T” Rachele Harmuth, Head of ThinkFun.
For more information on the MESH initiative, please visit www.MESHhelps.org
Shop Related Products
Related Blogs
MEME OF THE DAY
Recent Blogs
Biographies and Interviews
Hootenanny Games' Whitney and Alex Kimerling Share Why the Name 'Hootenanny and More!
Press Release
VOTING NOW OPEN FOR THE 2023 TOY & GAME INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS - the TAGIEs
Industry Commentary, Op-Ed
Christopher Byrne: New York Toy Fair: A Movable Feast
Press Release
Toy Industry Vets, Educators and Mentors Join the People of Play Young Inventor Challenge Advisory Board
Biographies and Interviews
Elizabeth Hargrave... Created Wingspan! Hidden Role Podcast
See more
Recent Wiki
PEOPLE
Ted Fischer, Co-Founder and CEO of Ageless Innovation, on Unleashing the Power of Play
PEOPLE
Lisa Wallace Shares how "I’m The Chef Too!" Moved from Her Kitchen to Kitchens Everywhere!
PEOPLE
Hasbro's Tanya Thompson on Women Innovators of Play
COMPANIES
Toy industry rebels build an invention studio from zero to one
COMMENTARY AND OPINION EDITORIALS
Attention Toys and Games Marketers: Is it time for Tums or Veuve Clicquot?
See more
POP's Got Talent
POP Entertainment
Randy Klimpert Shares his Ukulele Collection
POP Entertainment
Steve Casino Peanut Art
POP Entertainment
Everyone's Talking about POP!
POP Entertainment
Princess Etch - a Multi-Talented Etch A Sketch Artist
POP Entertainment
Joseph Herscher of Joseph' s Machines.
See more
Recent POPcast
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Tom Dusenberry... Bought Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Avalon Hill!
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Matt Leacock created Pandemic... the game!
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Scott Brown and Tim Swindle... are Launching a New Sport!
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Daryl Andrews says... "GO TO CONVENTIONS!"
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games
Ed Gartin is... the Evel Knievel of Inventor Relations!
See more
POPDuos
POPDuos: Interviews with Legends and Leaders
POPDuo: Richard Dickson, Mattel’s President & COO, and Kedar Narayan, Young Inventor Challenge AMB
POPDuos: Interviews with Legends and Leaders
POPDuo: Will Shortz and Josh Wardle
POPDuos: Legends and Leaders Explore Creativity
POP Duo: Elan Lee, Co-Founder, Exploding Kittens.and Jeff Probst, Host and Exec Producer, Survivor
POPDuos: Legends and Leaders Explore Creativity
POP Duo: David Fuhrer, MNG Director, Blue Sq Innovations & Shawn Green, past Dodgers & Mets MLB Star
POPDuos: Legends and Leaders Explore Creativity
POP Duo: Bob Fuhrer, Founder, Nextoy and Tom Fazio, Golf Course Designer
See more
Featured Articles
The Bloom Report
Toy Inventors--The Heart and Soul of the Industry
The Bloom Report
Brian Turtle: 'Endless' Stories, Advice, Kevin Bacon and More! tBR Person of the Week
Biographies and Interviews
Jonathan Levy on Jon2.0 - from Co-Founding Mastermind Toys to Spin Master
Biographies and Interviews
Andrew Perlmutter's Journey from Glencoe to Funko with Crazy Ideas that turned out Golden
See more
