A Toy Library is a collection of toys, games and
play materials which can be loaned out. A toy library can have
multiple objectives; but to remain distinct from other services available
to families and children, it should first and foremost promote the importance
of play. A Mobile Toy Library is not a toy delivery service; it aims
to make available stimulating play resources to the community that
do not have access to such a service.
PLEASURES OF PLAY
Playing for the sake of play has often been overlooked in favour of the more immediate objectives of educational play as defined
by educators. The obligation to learn, memorise, recognise and to name
exact and predetermined concepts seems to oppose the pleasure of spontaneously
acquiring the same skills.
It is possible to play, have fun and yet, still learn many things.
Free play, in the context of a toy library, is associated rather with
the form of flexibility and spontaneity that should to some extent reflect
the child's liberty to choose the toy that he wants to play with and with whom he wants to play.
Learning through play within the context of free choice means to progress naturally towards knowledge without the burden of academic
obligation. Parents and caregivers need to understand the role of toys and play in the child’s development without placing undue stress on the child to perform. JOM provides a non-stressful environment to help children build friendships and take on responsibilities. There are opportunities to socialize while learning the importance of sharing, taking turns and being responsible to care for the toys.
AIMS OF JOM! MOBILE TOY LIBRARY
"Jom" in the MalayLanguage means "Let's Go". Therefore, in a sense, Jom! Mobile Toy Library brings a warm
invitation of "Let's play" and "Let's have fun".
Our primary aims are
To stimulate and promote the pleasures of play (with
or without toys)
To encouragespontaneous learning, leisure and fun through
the enjoyment of toys, games and play materials
Our primary focus
is to service and support those who are not receiving any assistance at
all, for example, children with severe disabilities residing
particularly in the rural areas.
Some of the services of JOM include :
Make available for loan a wide selection of toys and
Demonstrate, facilitate and conduct play sessions.
Offer an outlet for sharing of ideas and information
among members, families, staff and the community.
Provide opportunity for building friendships in a friendly environment.
Help parents and care-givers understand the role of toys and
play materials in their child's development.
Organise and conduct toy-making workshops.
Promote and help organise World Play Day events celebrated world-wide on May 28th.
Toy Library, which started in April 2001, runs its services on the mainland
of Penang through selected locations such as PDK (Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti
or CBR) Centres run by the Welfare Department; as well as some NGOs and homes of individuals
with severe disabilities.
The schedule of visits is monthly to each location. A regular visit
by the Mobile Toy Library is an event that children living in the remote
and rural communities look forward to with joy and enthusiasm. The anticipation itself can also be part of the play spirit during the sessions
Due to our own limitations, membership is currently opened
only to individuals with special needs. Eventually, it is our hope
that our services can be extended to all children in the community.
JOM! welcomes the participation of volunteers in its day-to- day operations (e.g., setting up toy areas and cleaning the toys after the play). We would love to have more play-mates to play with the children during the activities. Then as a number of toys get broken, we could use ‘play doctors’ to repair the toys or even those who can create new ones! As a large number of toys are being loaned out on a regular basis, we would also appreciate contributions of toys or finances to buy new toys.
Please click here if you are interested to volunteer with us.