Parents are being encouraged to make-an-effort with kids and get to know the ins and outs of their world of toys, as it’s a great way to build their confidence, according to a child expert.

As we hurtle towards Christmas, parents and grandparents can find themselves struggling to decipher children’s wishlists.

Amid the ever-evolving world of kids' toys and characters, grown-ups are struggling to keep up. To most adults, keeping up with your little one’s new favourite toy universe can feel like trying to learn a new language, when almost three-quarters of respondents of the new poll of 1500 parents (71 per cent ) feel that their child has already moved onto a new craze before they’ve had the chance to fully understand the last. 

To most adults, keeping up with your little one’s new favourite toy universe can feel like trying to learn a new languageTo most adults, keeping up with your little one’s new favourite toy universe can feel like trying to learn a new language (Image: IMAGO Images/Cover Images) According to new research by The Entertainer, only one in three parents are confident in understanding their kids’ “toy jargon”, but consultant clinical psychologist, Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, says getting the children to open up about their new obsession will help grow their confidence and improve their communication skills, even if it seems like a challenging task.

“In this fast-paced world, it can be hard for parents to find time and space to connect with their children and even harder when they feel like they’re struggling to keep pace with the latest crazes and interests. Children’s development moves so fast and it can often feel like we are playing catch-up, as they move on to new skills and interests,” Dr Kilbey, who specialises in work with children and adolescents, says.

“One of the key ways that children express these interests is through their shared language with peers, language often designed to exclude those ‘not in the know’, like parents. Although it can feel daunting, I encourage parents to see this as an opportunity to show curiosity in their child’s world and take the chance to let their children have the upper hand through sharing their knowledge. This gives them a sense of agency and power and does huge wonders for building their communication and confidence skills.”

So ahead of the 2024 festive shopping season, The Entertainer, is helping people to stay up-to-date with the latest toy crazes and language to help close the generational toy knowledge gap. 

The Entertainer has released TOYMINOLOGY – a tongue-in-cheek A-Z guide translating the top current toy trends and products from kid-speak to grown-up friendly explanations, helping parents and grandparents make sense of their Squishmallows and Emotes.

The top kid-speak words or phrases that parents and grandparents don’t understand are:

  • ‘Nerf’ or ‘buff’ 
  • ‘Noob’ or ‘newbie’
  • ‘Respawn’ or ‘revive’
  • ‘Grind’ or ‘farming’
  • ‘Glitch’ or ‘bug’
  • ‘Loot’ or ‘drop’
  • ‘Rare’ or ‘ultra-rare’
  • ‘Upgrade’ or ‘power-up’
  • ‘Skin’ or ‘cosmetic’