Toys As Enlightenment:the Research On "National Character" Of Modern Children By Studying The Toys

In the 1930 s,children's toys gradually became an important element in children's lives.However,in the context of traditional China,toys could hardly be recognized by social elites.In terms of the popularity of toys during the period of the Republic of China,the hypothesis proposed in this research is that the popularity of toys was the result of intellectuals' propaganda through newspaper.To demonstrate the hypothesis,Shun Pao published between 1927 and 1937 is selected as the research object in this thesis.Shun Pao was a famous newspaper during the period of the Republic of China,which recorded all aspects of life in Shanghai.By virtue of text analysis method,contents related to toys in Shun Pao are classified and explored first.It is found that a large majority of the toys mentioned in those reports involve two categories,“scientific toys” and “military and national defense toys”.These two types of toys are described as having the functions of“enlightening children” and “cultivating children's warrior spirit”.During this period,Chinese people who had experienced enlightenment had recognized the educational function of toys.On the other hand,the toy industry in Shanghai has gradually matured.Both of the above provide a basis for intellectuals to shape children with toys.The research believes that intellectuals intended to cultivate children into “citizens” through popularizing the “scientific” and “national” characters of toys by public opinions.To achieve the goal,intellectuals took advantage of the then social phenomena such as “scientific movement”,“China-made goods movement”and “Children's Toy Fair” to expound the function and significance of toys through the promotion of newspapers and periodicals,promoted the popularity of domestic toys.Under the propaganda of intellectuals,scientific toys became an important tool in classroom education,while military toys and games also became one of children's extracurricular activities.Since then,scientific toys and military toys have been integrated into children's daily lives.Eventually,children receive new knowledge through toys,and gradually become nationally conscious.Intellectuals also gradually realized their political intentions through toys.