Bendigo Community Toy Library games enter new era

The library had just completed its annual toy buy round and it’s hoped many of the new games will spark a passion for coding, according to library committee member Kate Pentreath.

Ms Pentreath said the education curriculum was changing and parents needed to consider computer and coding skills to be “basic needs”.

“It’s starting to become a big thing. I know that coding is something parents are thinking about when kids are in prep, grades 1 and 2,” she said.

The library’s new toys were aimed at preparing preschool-aged children for the curriculum, showing them basic concepts like setting sequences of moves for robots to make.

“All of these toys are for children three years and older so there’s recognition there (from toy companies) kids need to be learning about this stuff but also having fun with it from an early age,” Ms Pentreath said.

Most of the new coding toys were purchased from companies selling toys to primary schools across the country.

Library committee chair Brooke Bennett said the new coding games and gadgets cost $1200 and were purchased thanks to the Telstra Kids Tech Grant Program.

“The toy library relies solely on membership, fundraising and grants such as the Telstra Tech Kids Grant to enable it to purchase new items, so receiving this financial support is so beneficial,” she said.

The library also bought $2000 worth of other toys using funds raised by members.

“The quality of the items we have purchased is outstanding, as they need to withstand the constant manipulation and torture our members subject our toys to,” Ms Bennett said.

“Most toys within the BCTL are of a commercial standard.”

Ms Pentreath said most of the new coding games did not need batteries.

The Bendigo Community Toy Library is located in Spring Gully, and operates Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.