Learning Through Play
From childhood, most of us have learned how to fire a toy gun
and play with various other military toys. These toys, as well as
the scenarios we setup as games, (e.g. hide and seek or imaginary
war games) help children learn the skills of the military (e.g.
taking cover, play fighting, firing weapons). Mainly targeted at
males, the packaging and the toys themselves reinforced traditional
stereotypes for boys and girls. Very few of these toys depict
females or visible minorities. This special exhibit allows the
visitor to compare the toys with real artefacts and illustrates
their evolution through the years.