Symposium | Imagery Play Lab

Toys, Play, & Childhood Development

Symposium Series hosted by Imagery Play Lab

About

The Imagery Play Lab Symposium series aims to bring together experts in developmental, cognitive, social, and clinical psychology, alongside educators, designers, toy-industry specialists, market researchers, and professionals from related applied fields. The Symposium welcomes researchers and practitioners from Türkiye and abroad who are interested in imagery, play, early childhood development, and related domains. Undergraduate and graduate students are also encouraged to participate.

The symposium aims to create a shared space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the development of new collaborations in the study of imagery, play, and visual cognition within the context of child development. The event will provide a platform for discussing how children engage with toys and play activities, and how stimulating environments at home, in schools, and in communities support learning and foster cognitive and social development.

Topics

Relevant themes and topics include, but are not limited to:

Toy use

Cognitive and social skills promoted by toys
Why, how, and when parents use toys with their children
STEM vs. ART toys
Open-ended toys vs. instructions
Toys vs. reality as educational tools

Children's play

Play preferences and visual-spatial skills
Sex differences in play with toys
Guided vs. free play
Gross vs. fine motor skills and play embodiment
How different types of visual imagery are related to play and toy preferences
What is special about children's imagery

Merging perspectives on toys and play

Attitudes towards toys and play: differences in parental ethnotheories and culture
Stimulating environments: how toys are selected for homes, kindergartens, and toy libraries
Toy market in Turkey: parents’, educators’, and toy sellers’ perspectives
Parental and teachers’ concerns related to toys
Should we teach children (and parents) how to play

Submission Form

Please complete the Submission Form to indicate your intent to participate in the symposium that will be held on December 16, 2025. Please briefly describe your planned contribution, describe the topics you are interested in, and specify whether you would be available to join either online or in person.

Please indicate your intent to participate in the subsequent symposium sessions using the same form.

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