The pragmatic meaning of the toy is closely related to the affordances of the toy. Affordance can be understood as the capability offered by the toy to the user. It is the product’s potential for action (Gibson, 1977; Legaard, 2023). These dictate the interaction possibilities with the toy. They influence how an experience may unfold (Legaard, 2023). Thus the toy expresses itself in a few different ways
First and obvious to many, the gun toy affords us the ability to shoot out darts. These functionalities are highlighted on the toy through the use of the striking orange paint. It highlights both the rotating drum holding 6 darts, the muzzle, as well as the trigger. Above the trigger, a loading mechanism signifies its presence as a sturdy black block. It reveals the capability of the toy to shoot, which is its main function and, through the experience of use, it opens the door to all other experiences around play.
It also provides for a comfortable handling due to the light weight and further establishes its presence as an object to be reckoned with through its hard exterior. This allows it to be fairly portable for children as the weight is not limiting their exploration. It also reinforces the experiences of other associated meanings through its sturdy construction.