Child psychologist and founder of EduSpark Toys, Sana Moiz, predicts that 2026 will mark a major comeback for hands-on, screen-free play as parents increasingly express concerns over digital overstimulation and emotional imbalance in young children.
Moiz’s perspective was shaped by a recent moment in a café where she watched a toddler attempt to zoom into a paper menu — an incident she says perfectly captures how seamlessly screens have integrated into early childhood. “It wasn’t surprising. It was normal. And that’s exactly the problem,” Moiz shared.
Over the past year, parents across playgrounds, online groups, and community discussions have shown growing fatigue — not with parenting, but with the meltdowns, attention issues, and dependency that accompany excessive screen time. This collective exhaustion is driving families to search for healthier routines.
According to Moiz, hands-on play offers something screens cannot: depth. Wooden blocks, puzzles, sensory toys, and real-world textures help develop focus, creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation. “Real materials create real development. Children need weight, texture, and cause-and-effect to build resilience and imagination,” she emphasized.
She notes that this shift is being supported by three rising trends — parents seeking emotional stability at home, experts warning about overstimulation, and a cultural move toward minimalist, Montessori-inspired living that favors intentional activities over fast-paced digital entertainment.
Moiz clarifies that the goal is not to eliminate screens entirely: “Screens aren’t villains; they’re tools. But tools shouldn’t take over childhood. Balance is what families are now striving for.”
This movement echoes the core philosophy behind Moiz’s own brand, EduSpark Toys, which she founded during the pandemic. Combining her expertise as a child psychologist with her family’s century-old woodworking heritage, she created eco-friendly, Montessori-aligned toys that support real developmental growth. Today, EduSpark is trusted by more than 200,000 parents, schools, and play centers across India.
With families increasingly embracing mindful, sensory-rich play, Moiz believes 2026 will be the year childhood reconnects with its authentic roots — full of creativity, exploration, and real-world imagination.
