The use of nontoxic waste paper toys as art activities among preschool children / Rafuzan Jaafar

This study sought to investigate the use of non toxic waste paper product, as a medium for preschool toys as this has never been explored and used in Malaysia. Using waste paper and turning it to products such as toys can be part of the effort in environmental conservation. In this research, the researcher has to identify the source of waste paper and carry out laboratory tests to investigate the level of toxic and also determine if the waste paper is biodegradable so that it can be used to create toys as teaching instruments for preschoolers. Upon determining the toxic level in each of waste paper, a product design has been done based on construction of the toys to determine the potential and durability of the waste paper as a material and whether it can stimulate the younger generation when used as a teaching instrument in art classes or art activities. The study involved 100 preschool respondents. The results indicated that about 17% to 100% agreed that waste paper can be used as a material to design teaching aids or instruments in enhancing not only in their cognitive and psychomotor skill but creativity too. This will give new ideas or perception towards the use of waste paper in the future. Maybe in the near future the researcher will find new ways in redesigning the toys not only by using simple shapes but using more advance shapes with moving parts. Even though waste materials has been ignored by society as it consumes a vast amount of energy in recycling it but by turning it into toys for educational purposes, it maybe seem a little effort in environment conservation but a great monumental challenge to earth and society.