Outdoor Play versus Electronics

Ruba Abu Ali · Post by **Ruba Abu Ali** » 28 Jul 2018, 05:45

It takes a lot of hard work and perseverance to get the kids off their electronics and have them play outside on a regular basis. It's an issue I have with my kids all the time. But again, I guess children learn by example. It helps a bit when our children see us doing our best to be less hooked to our cellphones and enjoy the outdoors.

Sunnyroyish · Post by **Sunnyroyish** » 28 Jul 2018, 07:48

As I was born in the 90's I know the fun of playing outdoor games like cricket, football, etc. These days I see kids glued to their electronic gadgets which is really ruining their health and mental clarity. In this story, Toni is a kid who mostly indulges in outdoor activities. I think the author tried to give a message to the kids of this generation that they should play more outdoor games.

kwame1977 · Post by **kwame1977** » 28 Jul 2018, 08:08

This reminds me of my childhood days where adventure was our main source of recreation. These adventures hardened us and we never thought of exchanging it for any other thing. I write with no fear or favour that I don't envy today's children a bit as their activities are confined I a room with lots of electronic activities. Really Tony is a hero of my time and not today's world.

MishM1 · Post by **MishM1** » 28 Jul 2018, 10:07

I did not even notice that Toni was not using electronics! It's a great observation though because it makes playing outdoors look cool to children. Even a Superhero likes playing outdoors! I love that the weighty messages are hidden in the pictures because children are highly observant and are able to perceive things with their little minds that adults may overlook in haste. I do feel like children spend too much screen time and too little active play time and this is an appropriately subtle way to reintroduce outdoor activities.

Ashiyya Tariq · Post by **Ashiyya Tariq** » 29 Jul 2018, 02:23

bb587 wrote: ↑02 Jul 2018, 07:49 My niece likes playing with electronics, but she'll drop everything if there's a chance to play outside. Electronics are a part of their future. I think all interests should be encouraged and nurtured. If a child likes watching movies discuss the movies afterwards, act them out, or have them write/tell their own version.

Now electronics is the part of are day to day activities. Children see this. And of coarse these electronics are part of their future. So we can't convince them to avoid it all together. What can we do is to mange their time which they pass with TV or playing other electronic games.

Ashiyya Tariq · Post by **Ashiyya Tariq** » 29 Jul 2018, 02:46

Ruba Abu Ali wrote: ↑28 Jul 2018, 05:45 It takes a lot of hard work and perseverance to get the kids off their electronics and have them play outside on a regular basis. It's an issue I have with my kids all the time. But again, I guess children learn by example. It helps a bit when our children see us doing our best to be less hooked to our cellphones and enjoy the outdoors.

Yeah, Its very difficult to keep children from playing with cell phones and watching TV. But book offers a good example in this regard by showing showing Toni playing outdoor games.

Ashiyya Tariq · Post by **Ashiyya Tariq** » 29 Jul 2018, 02:53

kwame1977 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2018, 08:08 This reminds me of my childhood days where adventure was our main source of recreation. These adventures hardened us and we never thought of exchanging it for any other thing. I write with no fear or favour that I don't envy today's children a bit as their activities are confined I a room with lots of electronic activities. Really Tony is a hero of my time and not today's world.

We see here Toni as a traditional superhero who loves plying outside instead of playing inside with electronics. And no doubt it's a very healthy approach by author's side.

Ashiyya Tariq · Post by **Ashiyya Tariq** » 29 Jul 2018, 03:09

Eva Darrington wrote: ↑27 Jul 2018, 00:35 This is such a significant problem in our culture. The neurological effects of excessive indoor screen time are worrisome. There is a program in my community that is teaching families how to learn (or relearn) how to create outdoors activities for the kids and adults. They have found that getting families outside and engaged with each other is key to getting kid outside. Also good to have role models like Toni! Good discussion.

If families go outside for picnic then children find sufficient time to play outdoor. It's good to develop outdoor plying habit. And this book is a good
Example for children.

Quinto · Post by **Quinto** » 29 Jul 2018, 04:25

Yes, this book will encourage kids into reading more and playing outside. Kids nowdays spend a lot of time on electronics, something that is not healthy.

Awilson531 · Post by **Awilson531** » 29 Jul 2018, 12:08

I think yes, they do- I see loads of children around me on phones and iPads all the tome. Yes, lots of them still play outside and play with toys but there has definitely been a massive increase of children playing with devices rather than physical toys.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 29 Jul 2018, 13:04

MishM1 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2018, 10:07 I did not even notice that Toni was not using electronics! It's a great observation though because it makes playing outdoors look cool to children. Even a Superhero likes playing outdoors! I love that the weighty messages are hidden in the pictures because children are highly observant and are able to perceive things with their little minds that adults may overlook in haste. I do feel like children spend too much screen time and too little active play time and this is an appropriately subtle way to reintroduce outdoor activities.

Thank you. I was so glad to realize that even when Toni was in the house we did not see any electronics and they certainly weren't central elements including: tv, cellphone, home phone, computer, or tablets. I absolutely love the subtle message provided with this exclusion. Although the lack of electronics may not have a huge impact, had they been included, I think the impact would have been substantial. So that impact from their exclusion was eliminated which I am thrilled about.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 29 Jul 2018, 13:06

Sarah Tariq wrote: ↑29 Jul 2018, 02:23
bb587 wrote: ↑02 Jul 2018, 07:49 My niece likes playing with electronics, but she'll drop everything if there's a chance to play outside. Electronics are a part of their future. I think all interests should be encouraged and nurtured. If a child likes watching movies discuss the movies afterwards, act them out, or have them write/tell their own version.
Now electronics is the part of are day to day activities. Children see this. And of coarse these electronics are part of their future. So we can't convince them to avoid it all together. What can we do is to mange their time which they pass with TV or playing other electronic games.

Electronics are definitely something that should not be avoided. But watching tv and playing video games aren't activities that need to take up much of a child's time. Learning how to do research, format a professional email, and type proficiently are useful skills for the workforce later on, but how much benefit is really derived from video games that can't be found in other activities? Hand-eye coordination? Play tennis, baseball, basketball, etc and you will have that.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 29 Jul 2018, 13:08

Awilson531 wrote: ↑29 Jul 2018, 12:08 I think yes, they do- I see loads of children around me on phones and iPads all the tome. Yes, lots of them still play outside and play with toys but there has definitely been a massive increase of children playing with devices rather than physical toys.

Absolutely. It is so hard to not take advantage of the many benefits of electronics. If a child gets tired of the toys he already has, it's not that easy just to go spend money on several new toys. But with apps, there are so many free games, children can constantly have new ones to play on to keep them occupied. The convenience is probably quite difficult for parents to ignore and not utilize, at least from time to time.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 29 Jul 2018, 13:10

Quinto wrote: ↑29 Jul 2018, 04:25 Yes, this book will encourage kids into reading more and playing outside. Kids nowdays spend a lot of time on electronics, something that is not healthy.

One of my favorite little things in life is to go to the library and see children with stacks of books to take home. Not because their parents picked them out, but because they truly want to read them all. As a kid, going to the library was a wonderful treat. I always loved when my mom would take me and I could get ten new books to read. I would be occupied for quite some time. It's so hard to avoid electronics. I thought I would never enjoy e-books and now I don't know how I would get by without them. I save so much money having instant access to books through various online venues. I do love that aspect for children because their parents can access and afford so many more books for them.

revna01 · Post by **revna01** » 29 Jul 2018, 15:50

Kids and electronics are way out of control these days. I think parents need to be the ones to set that right but hopefully seeing a book about a kid enjoying "superhero" life without electronics helps reiterate the message.