Outdoor Play versus Electronics

Post by **Shrabastee Chakraborty** » 23 Jul 2018, 03:53

Yes, I believe children spend too much time using electronic devices. In fact, I have seen that sometimes the parents encourage their children to do this as a means to keep them out of their way when they are busy. Toni could indeed be an ideal character to follow with respect to this. He takes part in outdoor activities like playing, swimming, jumping. And as mentioned, he does outdoor reading too. Way to encourage the children for more outdoor activities!

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 23 Jul 2018, 08:46

Boredwolf78 wrote: ↑20 Jul 2018, 11:24 I am in absolute agreement that children should be involved in activities that do not include electronics. I used to be a General Manager at a fast casual restaurant. There were times when work was slow, and I would chat with my co-workers. Mind you, I live in a college town, so most of my employees were a decade or more younger than me. I would tell stories of my childhood. The antics my friends and I got up to. Only one or two of my stories involved video games. They were primarily about the things we did outdoors. It broke my heart to see how many of these young adults had no clue what I was talking about. Sometimes they would look at me with pure amazement. Parents these days do have to work quite a bit to be able to afford a household. But I feel they need to learn to balance their professional life, with home life better. They should be encouraging their kids to do more physical activities. Not just encouraging through words, but through actions as well.

I think parents need to suck it up sometimes and find the energy to take their kids to the park, throw them a baseball, or even catch bugs together. My husband always says that when we have kids he wants to teach them to play such and such video games. I'm trying to tell him I don't even think we need to have any video games. I do remember having a playstation that my three brothers and I shared, but we rarely ever used it. We enjoyed being outside. It seems like kids are taught that the outdoors are bad or something. I'm not sure why this negative attitude about being outside. Throw on some sunscreen and bug spray and go run around.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 23 Jul 2018, 08:52

Penbreath09 wrote: ↑22 Jul 2018, 02:18 Play is a way of exploring the possibilities of the life you are living. The electronics passes ideas, morals, teaching from the creators' perspective. Outdoor introduces the soul to natural vibration which is often considered best, it opens your spirit to accepting the real life as perceived by you, no one has to teach you anything unlike electronics where in one way or the other, you are being influenced from the creator's perspective. Outdoor play is the best way exploring than electronics. However, electronics seems to be the best option for introverts...

Great point. Playing outdoors may also give children an appreciation for nature and the environment. If you learn about plants, animals, and critters, you may be more apt to care about those things as an adult and want to protect them.

There are so many skills that can be learned by spending time outdoors. Not only can children learn to identify plants that may be poisonous, they can also learn to fish, start a fire, and pitch a tent. Although I don't like camping so don't particularly look forward to one day taking my kids, I think it's a great experience for them. I would love to see Toni on a camping trip catching fireflies, roasting hotdogs, and sleeping in a tent.

kelvinmwaniki17 · Post by **kelvinmwaniki17** » 23 Jul 2018, 09:39

I think children should spend more time outdoors because its good for their health.

PABS · Post by **PABS** » 23 Jul 2018, 10:32

Kmykel wrote: ↑02 Jul 2018, 22:26 The average child, I find, spends just as much time on a tablet today as a child of the 90's spent watching television. The technology changes, but kids viewing habits do not.

As long as a parent is vaguely aware of their activities online, as well as setting time limits on devices, I don't see a problem. It's only an issue if parents allow it to become one. Besides, in today's world, kids are going to have to learn to navigate modern technology. They might as while learn while they're doing something they enjoy, right?

I agree. The world our children will inhabit will require a knowledge of computers/technology. The key is balance. And perhaps that is the angle the author should take: not villifiying technology, but presenting its use in a balanced, healthy way.

Post by **Vickie Noel** » 23 Jul 2018, 15:22

Once children recognize that they're in a constant pattern of not getting attention from their parents, they are more likely to find something else to occupy their time. Toni is a boy who spends a lot of time outside which is great but I think TV is also a fundamental part of a child's development. The key is balance on the part of the parents. That way the child can experience the best of both worlds.

Dbaby94 · Post by **Dbaby94** » 23 Jul 2018, 18:04

I may be a youngin myself, but I used to love to play outside and spent hours walking up and down rivers in my neighborhoods, which got me interested in science and the world around me. I think time spent outside is invaluable to a young mind! I always think it's a shame when I see children, some not even old enough to speak yet, sat down in front of an iPad / iPhone at the dinner table to keep them quiet.

All that being said, I think overall children are spending far too much time indoors these days, and I wonder what that does for a developing mind. We certainly evolved to spend a large portion of our time outdoors and on the move rather than lead a sedentary lifestyle in front of screens, and this is now affecting adults as much as it is affecting children.

Hopefully realizations brought on by the work of people like the author of this novel will get us back outdoors! Wouldn't that be great...

Catherine Hsu · Post by **Catherine Hsu** » 23 Jul 2018, 21:41

I do! As much as I love technology, even I remember playing outside on playgrounds and with other people when I was little. If not, I'd have a book or little action figures which would really let my imagination run free. I understand that technology is great, but seeing little kids immersed in their iPads and not paying any attention to the world around them makes me a little sad. :/

SAMINA1122 · Post by **SAMINA1122** » 24 Jul 2018, 01:59

I definitely think children spend way to much time on electronics , that effects their physical activity, somewhere i read about research related to this qs, that kids not engaged in electronic communications and learning are more creative than those who focussed all the time on electronic media.
But I think it's largely their parents' fault, who does not manage their schedule

Nerea · Post by **Nerea** » 24 Jul 2018, 05:12

kfwilson6 wrote: ↑01 Jul 2018, 21:05 I noticed that other than playing and singing music, none of Toni's activities included any type of electronics. Toni was not listed as liking to watch tv Do you think children spend too much time using electronics instead of playing with more traditional toys like balls and jump ropes? Will this book help encourage children to play without electronics and enjoy outdoor activities? Toni was even reading his books outside.

Nice observation. Today's kids are hyper focused on electronics but Toni's story can inspire children to engaging in physical gaming activities.

Marissa Michael · Post by **Marissa Michael** » 24 Jul 2018, 07:05

I'm glad to find that Toni is illustrated to spend more time playing outside as it involves the physical body movements given the fact that the children are hyperactive by nature at the young age. I don't say electronic games are bad.

They are also good to make the kids to be aware about the advanced technology. I have my own nephews and nieces who love playing video games but when they see their friends, they will drop their video games and play with their friends at the playground. What I'm trying to say is it's all down to balancing their time and preference. Parents need to guide their children about this and serve as an example to their children because it is to their own parents they are mostly looking up to.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 24 Jul 2018, 09:50

ParadoxicalWoman wrote: ↑24 Jul 2018, 07:05 I'm glad to find that Toni is illustrated to spend more time playing outside as it involves the physical body movements given the fact that the children are hyperactive by nature at the young age. I don't say electronic games are bad.

They are also good to make the kids to be aware about the advanced technology. I have my own nephews and nieces who love playing video games but when they see their friends, they will drop their video games and play with their friends at the playground. What I'm trying to say is it's all down to balancing their time and preference. Parents need to guide their children about this and serve as an example to their children because it is to their own parents they are mostly looking up to.

Yes, I think parents are key role models. I even started with that point in my review of Toni the Superhero. Kids look up to their parents foremost, so I like that the book depicts activities Toni can help with that he would typically see his parents doing. If Toni is helping with the dishes, kids see their parents doing dishes as well, and hopefully they will want to help because both Toni and their parents are doing the same activity.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 24 Jul 2018, 09:52

psychopathycathy wrote: ↑23 Jul 2018, 21:41 I do! As much as I love technology, even I remember playing outside on playgrounds and with other people when I was little. If not, I'd have a book or little action figures which would really let my imagination run free. I understand that technology is great, but seeing little kids immersed in their iPads and not paying any attention to the world around them makes me a little sad. :/

Creativity and imagination are developed by the toys and games kids engage in. There seems to be so much more for them to imagine for themselves when they play outside, dress-up in costumes, or play with action figures. With video games and tv, the imagining is done by the creators.

Vscholz · Post by **Vscholz** » 24 Jul 2018, 23:53

FictionLover wrote: ↑02 Jul 2018, 19:02 Children are surrounded with electronics. So many schools today require notebook computers or a tablet, and of course younger and younger children are on phones.

This book is definitely good for encouraging movement and non-electronic play!

My niece is a year and a half old. She used to be obsessed with phones and selfies, but she has become less enchanted. Maybe it is because my sister encourages her to play with her blocks, cars, etc. She even rewards her with other activities besides TV time for following directions. Many times when we visit, the TV is on but my niece hardly pays attention.

I do not think the blame can entirely be placed on electronics. I do not think parents are entirely to blame, either. As a society, we advance technology. Sometimes it is good (medical advances), but other times... not so much. We spend a lot of time looking at screens (I'm using my phone right now), but society promotes use of technology. While we are able to connect with friends and family around the globe, we lose our ability to actually communicate with our voices and body language.

I cant even say that my sister is from an older generation and therefore has different values. She is only 22. When she was in high school, she had to do all of her math homework on the computer because the school didnt have enough money for math textbooks for the students. Unfortunately, coming from a low income family with no internet didnt help her at all. At least, not in the classroom. I think that experience shaped her stance on technology. She doesn't even have a computer in her home, not because she cant afford it (she can) but for other reasons.

I would really love to get a physical copy of this book to send to her. It will help my niece with reading (she is smart and already loves books) while teaching her positive morals and ethics AND validate the parenting style of my sister.

Aubrey Lewis · Post by **Aubrey Lewis** » 25 Jul 2018, 07:08

Yeah, I do believe that children should be having fun with outdoor play rather than with electronics. Being in the house while only paying attention to phones, tablets, or computers is kind of alienating the child from others. When I was little, I always played with others my age and in my opinion it was more fun than playing on my phone these days.