Who doesn't love modern video games? Show me someone that claims they don't appeal, and let's stick them in front of a screen for a few hours and see how hooked they get�it's no secret that we are in a video game renaissance at the moment. But just because something is tons of fun doesn't mean it is doing us any good, and in this case, I think it's safe to say there are some real potential risks involved.
One of the best creative pursuits for a child, and one that comes very naturally, is art. Whether painting, drawing, writing, or making crafts, art encourages thinking outside of the box and can lead to a lifetime passion.Chess is a game that is played in silent aristocratic halls where no one speaks as well as on street corners in modern America, with hip hop music blasting in the background. And no matter what the environment, it encourages the development of a thinking, problem-solving mind.If you think back on your own childhood, no matter your age, it probably doesn't take long to remember that this is no new trait in American society (and other cultures are no different). If you were a boy, you likely played the same war games with your own buddies if you weren't have roughhousing matches in the backyard that somehow never resulted in broken bones but looking back probably could have.No matter how you feel about the role modern media plays on our child's behavior, brain activity, and sense of reality, you cannot deny the fact that time spent on the Internet is not the most productive in the world. We start out giving them a little time here and there to keep them entertained while we're busy, but before you know it, playing these games is all they want to do.And as far as having a propensity for being the bad guy, this may not be much reason for alarm either. While another chance to use the imagination in full force, some psychologists also believe this kind of play gives us a chance to act out the battle between the good and bad that exists within all of us and give that struggle some life in a harmless and healthy way.5. ReadingI think I've hammered my point to death here. There is an endless list of other things children could put energy into that would have a much more positive lasting effect on their life. So why spend all that time playing vids?3. Art1. ChessBut by taking an active role in the types of hobbies your child develops, you can encourage a healthier development process that hopefully leads down more productive paths. Encourage ways of living, and of thinking, that are different than the norm, and you can do a lot for creating a more promising future.
What your kids really need is to get outside and play�just like you used to do when you where knee-high. Look, I'm not saying the video game is the end of the human race or going to turn your child into a human monster. In fact, many games even have positive mental and hand/eye coordination benefits. But what I am saying is that you need to strike a balance, and perhaps even tilt the scales in the direction of extracurricular activities that require bodily movement.
Author: James Druman
No comments:
Post a Comment