by Tania Mcloughlin

Created on: March 31, 2009   Last Updated: April 29, 2009

The questions to be asked about any childs toy or equipment are; What do they set out to do or achieve, and Are they ethically doing that for the child and/or the parent?

Seeing an electric car on sale (and you have the cash) might bring firstly thoughts on ''what fun!'' and "will it injure my child", and "Is it up to some sort of standard?" - Which, (of course) pursues the statement "is it safe?", but farther on, much deeper thoughts should be taking place.

Broad questions you need to ask yourself are;

"What does this automatic contraption set out to do for my child and my family?"

Then, "Is that what I want, and is it then, safe for my family?"

The following are topics which may arise from thinking over those.

It will give family entertainment - from either sitting and steering, or watching it may not be a super wonderful toy after all.

It may teach things like steering and concentration - Does my child get this skill anywhere else? (from his/her tricycle, bike, push car) And does my child need this skill now?

Travelling small distances - Would I prefer my child to walk or run to cement his/her future lifestyle ideals?

It looks cool - Is that an ideal my child should take to adulthood as something that matters?

So then after reviewing those kinds of questions you might come up with another answer about the toy's safety. It is likely that owning a child's electric car will have minimal effect on the lives of your children, but it is not possible to say there will be no negative effect.

In a world where we are discovering plastics contain hormones which are affecting males, and food additives are being outlawed due to their reaction, cancer and illness causing properties, and obesity is well past being on the rise', SAFE really doesn't mean getting a grazed knee.

Christmas and birthdays too often begin or end with last minute trips to the supermarket (or emptying the remote) for batteries, and weeks later toys are being thrown around because the batteries are flat and they no longer work.

Next time a celebration comes around, put a little more thought into the purchase, past "Is it safe'?" and ''Is it made by a brand with a huge marketing campaign or development claim''. Try going back to basics and looking for toys which stimulate the imagination, require self action and sounds, and teach good values and lifestyle. Then, there are always household items from the kitchen, plastics, spoons etc, children can help fold the washing, and for freedom skates and manual action wheeled toys are great.

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