What a children’s movie made me think about technology, imagination and  the simple joy of playing. 

I finally watched Toy Story 5, and honestly, I was surprised by how much I  enjoyed it. 

To be honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of the Toy Story franchise. I watched  this one simply because I was curious. But after watching it, I found myself  thinking about it long after the movie ended. 

Maybe that’s because I’m not only a teacher, but also a mother. More Than Just a Children’s Movie 

What stayed with me wasn’t just the animation, the humour or the familiar  characters. It was the message about childhood, technology and something  we sometimes forget—the simple joy of playing. 

Today, technology is everywhere in children’s lives. Phones, tablets, games and  digital entertainment are almost impossible to avoid. And I’m not against  technology. As a teacher, I use technology too, and I know how useful it can  be for learning. 

But Toy Story 5 made me stop and ask myself: 

Are we giving children enough time to simply be children? 

The movie explores the attraction of technology and how it can compete with  traditional toys and imaginative play. Without giving away too much of the  story, there are moments that made me think about how easily children can  become fascinated by a screen and lose interest in the people and world  around them. 

And honestly, as a teacher, I have seen this in different ways. 

Some children are confident with technology but need more encouragement  when it comes to talking with others, working in a group or coming up with their  own ideas. I wouldn’t say technology is the only reason. Every child is different,  and there are many factors involved. 

But I do believe children need opportunities to play, talk, create and solve  problems without everything being planned for them by a screen.

When Toys Became Anything, We Wanted 

When I was growing up, toys were never just toys. 

A box could become a house. 

A few chairs could become a bus. 

My friends and I could turn an ordinary afternoon into a completely different  world. 

We made up stories. We argued about the rules. We solved our own little  problems. We laughed, made mistakes and tried again. 

Nobody gave us instructions. 

We simply used our imagination. 

Looking back now, I realise those simple moments taught us so much. We  learned how to communicate, share, negotiate, cooperate and think  creatively all while having fun. 

That is one of the reasons I appreciated the message behind *Toy Story 5. 

It doesn’t make me think that technology is the enemy. Technology is here to  stay, and children need to learn how to use it responsibly. 

But perhaps we need to remind ourselves that **technology should be part of  childhood, not replace childhood. 

What Can We Do? 

As parents and teachers, we can start with small things. 

We can have some screen-free family time. We can take children outside. We  can give them a box of old materials and ask what they can create. We can  encourage pretend play and let them get bored sometimes. 

And, most importantly, we can play with them. 

We don’t always need expensive toys or complicated activities. Sometimes,  the best play begins with something as simple as a cardboard box and a child’s  imagination. 

Research on children’s play has also highlighted the role of play in developing  important skills such as communication, cooperation, creativity and problem-

solving. This is another reason why giving children time for unstructured and  imaginative play matters. 

## A Small Concern 

I did have one small concern about the movie. 

There were two scenes that, personally, I felt might not be suitable for every  young child. Rather than saying they should be censored, I think it would be  fairer to say that these moments **may require parental guidance**, especially  for younger viewers. 

Apart from that, I really enjoyed the movie. 

My rating: 9/10. 

The Real Magic 

I went into the cinema simply because I was curious. 

I came out thinking about my own childhood, my students and my children. 

And perhaps that’s what makes a children’s movie memorable—not just when  it makes us laugh, but when it makes us think. 

Technology will continue to change. The way children learn and play will  continue to change too. 

But I hope we never lose the simple things. 

Children talking to each other. 

Children running outside. 

Children making up silly stories. 

Children turning ordinary objects into extraordinary things. 

Children simply playing. 

Because some of the best childhood memories aren’t made on a screen. They’re made together. 

Have you watched Toy Story 5 yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you think  children today are losing some of the magic of imaginative play, or do you  think technology and traditional play can happily exist together?

Written by Kamini a/p Ganasan