As an educator I notice today's children have very little imagination and do not know how to play. All of this started around the invention of video games. I don't remember when it came out but I remember the old Atari 64 game system. We used to have it but of course that's gone along with the old Beta Machines for video cassettes. LOL.
Before all of that when "kids" my age we were outside playing, riding bikes, doing pretend play cause that was all we had. My brother is 16 years younger than me and he has had Nintendo's, Segas, and now the WII. Its not to say that he never went outside to play because he did but yes, there were days when the tv was on all day and the kids were burning up the hours on video games.
I work with two year olds and I find many of them do not know how to play. Granted, as an early childhood educator its our job to "teach" them how to play but they still seem kind of lost. The one area that they do love is the "Home" area. That has a kitchen, dishes, toy cooking things and they can play for hours there. I do find that they love "manipulative" type toys like legos and blocks and things which are all time favorites.
But I have a "herd" of animals because the kids appeared to want to learn about animals and sounds they make. Walmart had a good selection of them and these kids have no clue what to do with them. I know these kids go to the zoo and I've asked parents to get them to ask the right questions. What do animals do in their natural habitatats? granted the zoo is not a natural habitat. i have a senegal parrot that they watch and learn from but even a caged bird is not a natural thing. Parrots in the wild don't have toys to play with!!
As educators, its our job to give children the tools to function in society.We're to help them problem solve and show them what works and what isn't acceptable (hitting, violence). Hopefully, we can learn to turn the TV off and get kids outside
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I can still remember me and my brother standing on couches and pretending the ground was HOT LAVA. those were some cool adventures.
But on the other hand i still like to paly video games and they are awesomely cool (ha that made no sense).
But you are right we need to teach kids (especially american kids) to have a healthy balance of Physical activity and well some good ol' Halo 3! Because you have to admit getting to blow up some random kid from Japan (not racist) is pretty cool. and can promote healthy understanding of some cultural differences somewhat.
(but protection against things like pervs is nice) I have no idea where im going with this anymore.
Saint O Nothin' Says
PEACE
OH and see what GOD and the J-Man really thinks of you at
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I remember those hot lava games! Around our house, I didn't want to touch the floor because it was dirty, though. My mom was a terrible housekeeper, so our floors were always dirty until I was old enough to vacuum. Yuck. I'm lucky my grandma is a clean lady, or else I'd be a slob!
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I think it is awesome that you take your educator role to heart and help . as an 'expert' of sorts, parents know what they need to work with thier children on. Again it is great that you take this much responsibilty esspecially when parents don't.
On the other hand I need to say that I think it is the parents that need to be proactive with their children and "give children the tools to function in society... to help them problem solve and show them what works and what isn't acceptable (hitting, violence). Hopefully, we can learn to turn the TV off and get kids outside"
Whne parents fail, I hope they have an educator like what you said there to pick up the slack. I would blame the economy a little on this one too.
Tip Story: One of my son's teachers thought he was behind and did not know some things every youngster should. I know he knew the things she brought to my attention. We discovered that he mostly did not understand the way she asked and or just wanted to do something else. The freedom I give my son and the way I communicate with him is bound to confuse many of his future teachers that are use to the children who are raised 'normally'. (I am not sure what that means either)
~T
A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins. ~Benjamin Franklin
I remember the atari! It was made before my day, but that was my video game of choice as a child. I liked PacMan. I could play pacman for hours, but I would also run around a lot as well.
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