Teach Kids to Play!
It's amazing to
me that the simplest task a parent has is often the most neglected. It's that
little something we do called "play". Play is not an overwhelmingly
complicated concept - yet we supplement it with television, computers, ipads,
iphones, virtual reality, etc.
Play has lost it's physical aspect. Kids should be running around and jumping, picking up a stick and fighting off pirates aboard an imaginary boat, or storming the beach to defeat hydra. But instead they are locked up tight on their phones, pads, and other screens watching life instead of experiencing it.
The act itself does not need to be taught - you give a 4 year old the opportunity and they will invent their own world without hesitation. But if you cage the imagination of that 4 year old - by the time their 10 they have no desire to be the pirate, the hero, or to build the fort, and they suffer withdrawals when the screen is unavailable.
Let them play! Take them to the beach. Explore - watch their minds wander and let them have their imaginary wedding in the sand - let them hunt for sharks, speak to dolphins and become mermaids. Let them grow - invent - and pursue all things sparkly, dreamy, and wonder-filled.
As long as you're out and away from a TV - take them to the local comic book dealer and introduce them to the comic book medium.
As a homeschooling parent - I've had more than one run in with a child that disliked the idea of reading a book. Big or small, thick, thin, heavy, classic, fiction or non-fiction it never mattered - it is a BOOK.
Some years ago I was 11 and had the same problem. I just couldn't get myself motivated to read a book. I hated the words - the long sentences and well...the fact that I had to picture it all for myself.
My father - in his infinite wisdom bought me a comic book and so began my slippery romance with superheros, villains - and the wisdom of "good vs evil equals confrontation". I began reading a great many comic books, as well as novels, magazines and just about anything I could put my hands on from Ann Rice to William Faulkner.
Now I have children of my own and after a few frustrating moments of parenting obstinate children (don't know where they get it) - I had an epiphany...I took them to a comic book store - the result is amazing...
It is the imagination that fuels the efforts which change the world. Let them dare to dream -it's contagious and the kid inside you will wake up and want to come out as well.
Comments
Post a Comment