How often do kids play a game rather than play the game?
I grew up in the 90’s, which means I didn’t have a cell phone. I would talk with my friends, often walking down the street to do it. When high school rolled around, I still didn’t have a cell phone. I’d call friends on a landline to see if they wanted to play football or shoot hoops.
Today it’s different, of course. I’ve seen kids as young as 7 years old with cell phones, I-Pads, and other electronics at their disposal.
How often do kids play a game rather than play the game? (photo courtesy, Amazon.com)
I think this electronics rage is hurting kids–keeping them from being active and exercising.
Yes, I had video game systems as a kid. I’d kill time playing games. But I was still encouraged to go outside and be active with friends. I’m not so sure about that today.
With young kids (age group, 1st to 3rd grade) I like to work on basic skills–throwing, catching, hitting, and hand-and-eye coordination. To compete with electronics, which are so much fun for kids, I do my best to make practices fun, positive, and engaging. I want kids to be motivated to be out on the field with friends — rather than being in their room with electronics.
Yeah, I know the way of the future is computers and that kids need to master electronic devices. I also know that electronics aren’t all bad, especially if kids are playing educational games and gaining problem-solving skills. But I also believe that parents have a responsibility to emphasize the value of sports–for their kids’ physical and mental development, as well as for developing social skills and learning how to compete.
I wonder how much that’s happening.
