Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Industrial Design
Department
Industrial Design
First Advisor
Asher Rodriquez-Dunn
Second Advisor
Kristin Charpentier
Third Advisor
Khipra Nichols
Abstract
“What is the next big milestone for my child, and how can I be ready for it?”
That is the question in every parents' mind as they watch their child grow. The developmental milestones being the source of guidance and cause of worry for parents.
We are in an overwhelming era of options - the global toy market was valued at around $114.4 billion in 2024 as reported by Global News Wire* - that’s the size of options in toys alone for parents to choose from. With all these products geared towards encouraging child development, parents are often left to wonder: “Is this what my child needs right now?”
The answer to these parenting questions comes from the child themselves. Every child is unique and so is their pace of growth. Therefore, when their needs are individual, the support they receive needs to be personalized as well.
Playful Parenting helps parents create space for children to express their thoughts and intentions freely, without being shaped by adult assumptions. This, in turn, helps parents understand why a child is playing a certain way, what the child is learning from it, and what they are eager to learn next. It not only answers parenting questions, but also serves as a personalized guide to the child's growth.
*Research and Markets. (2025, April 8). Global toy market set to soar to USD 203.1 billion by 2034, fueled by technological advancements and media integration. GlobeNewswire. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/08/3057847/0/en/Global-Toy-Market-Set-to-Soar-to-USD-203-1-Billion-by-2034-Fueled-by-Technological-Advancements-and-Media-Integration.html
Recommended Citation
Kartikeyan, Shloka, "Playful Parenting" (2025). Masters Theses. 1482.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1482
Creative Commons License
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