As an increasing number of children grapple with mental health challenges in the wake of the pandemic, parents are actively seeking ways to help their youngsters cultivate emotional strength.

Remarkably, toy companies are taking notice. Though still in its nascent stage, a growing segment of the toy industry is embracing the concept of MESH, which stands for mental, emotional, and social health. This designation is applied to toys that impart valuable life skills to children, such as adapting to new challenges, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and problem-solving.

The MESH acronym first found its roots within child development circles and was introduced by the American Camp Association a decade ago. However, its relevance has surged in the aftermath of the pandemic. Rachele Harmuth, who leads ThinkFun, a division of the toy company Ravensburger, and resilience expert and family physician Deborah Gilboa, joined forces earlier this year to establish a MESH task force. Their objective is to encourage manufacturers to craft toys with emotional resilience in mind and encourage retailers to market them as such.

Gilboa commented, “We just need to provide parents and educators with a little nudge, helping them recognize the potential for intentional playtime that can foster these vital skills.”