Outdoor Play versus Electronics

Jessica Reehl · Post by **Jessica Reehl** » 25 Jul 2018, 08:50

We live in an electronic world. Kids need to spend some time learning that since it will be their future. But, there is also so much they need to learn from the outside world. They need to spend lots of time connecting with people in the real world. So, I think a healthy combination of many activities is important.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 25 Jul 2018, 13:03

Dbaby94 wrote: ↑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...

Absolutely! When adults are so addicted to electronics, they can't even see the problem. If they can't see the issues this presents, they aren't going to prevent the same from happening to their children. Hopefully, us adults can look back on the benefits of social interactions, playing outside, and engaging in physical activities to see that we should promote the same when raising our kids.

Yssimnar · Post by **Yssimnar** » 25 Jul 2018, 14:55

We can only hope it will encourage activities outside electronics. At least it gives kids ideas they may not have considered before.

FictionLover · Post by **FictionLover** » 25 Jul 2018, 17:51

Vscholz wrote: ↑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.

You make some good points.

I was recently on vacation and stayed with a friend. I was going to say "old friend" and I didn't. I don't know why, 'cause we're both getting kinda old! LOL!

We are in our 50s and she is a low tech kind of person. It's crazy. She just resists change. She is a college professor, so she is up on many 'new ideas' and of course, she has to be internet and technology savvy. But at home, she doesn't even have caller ID and her 13-year-old doesn't have a cell phone.

We both remember the days before cell phones, but they are so common today, I was very surprised when I found out her son didn't have one. When I asked him about it, he told me that he had wanted a phone at one point, but that now he talks to his friends when they are on the XBox, so it is okay.

But get this, I know that young people today are not as skilled with face to face communication. My son is 23 and he gets all tongue-tied when he needs to make a phone call for something simple like making a doctor's appointment. I mean, you pick up the phone and speak. The person on the other end is answering the phone so he/she can make an appointment for you. Right? Not complicated.

Well, I happened to overhear my friend's son calling to confirm that he would be meeting a friend later that day. Let's just say this, there was a time when I would have been nervous calling a friend's parent, but this kid was eloquent. He introduced himself, told her his mom wanted him to call to confirm that he was meeting (his friend) her son and that she was picking them up and taking them to the pool. He sounded like a professional administrative assistant.

So, I guess that is what comes of keeping your kid's phone, internet and TV time to a minimum.

ea_anthony · Post by **ea_anthony** » 25 Jul 2018, 18:40

Toni the Superhero has been portrayed as an active Kid, who likes doing chores and fun things like singig, dancing, jumping etc. The truth is that parents have to set better examples, less of Pads and playstation and more physical and mental engagements with their kids.

kfwilson6 · Post by **kfwilson6** » 25 Jul 2018, 19:05

FictionLover wrote: ↑25 Jul 2018, 17:51

So, I guess that is what comes of keeping your kid's phone, internet and TV time to a minimum.

I love what you shared about your friend's son. I am honestly torn about letting teens have a cell phone. I remember one day when I was in middle school, the person who was supposed to bring me home forgot, there was no one around to borrow a cell from and no one in the school office. My brother and I started walking home, several miles, until my stepdad drove by on his way to the school to find us. In those instances, teens having phones is great. Unfortunately, it's hard to limit them to "emergency purposes only." I don't even like to drive anywhere without a phone just in case something happens. It's one of those great benefits that makes it hard to keep kids away from technology.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 25 Jul 2018, 20:31

Kids definitely spend too much time with electronics. They are starting to play video games at younger and younger ages. I think parents need to set a good example and take the time to be with their young children outside. There are so many activities for the family to do together other than watching tv. Like most things, it takes time and effort on the part of the adults!

siana2014 · Post by **siana2014** » 25 Jul 2018, 23:26

This is an informative book for parents and caregivers as it outlines the imporatance of outdoor play .it is important to note that children learn how to socialise Jean Piaget was a strong proponent of outdoor play

Raya raymond · Post by **Raya raymond** » 26 Jul 2018, 06:40

I think outdoor play is very healthy for children and Tony is a good example to his peers and I think there's a chance this book could encourage a kid out there to embrace outdoor play. We still have to embrace the fact that electronic play is made to be addictive and is not necessarily evil.

FictionLover · Post by **FictionLover** » 26 Jul 2018, 08:11

kfwilson6 wrote: ↑25 Jul 2018, 19:05
FictionLover wrote: ↑25 Jul 2018, 17:51

So, I guess that is what comes of keeping your kid's phone, internet and TV time to a minimum.
I love what you shared about your friend's son. I am honestly torn about letting teens have a cell phone. I remember one day when I was in middle school, the person who was supposed to bring me home forgot, there was no one around to borrow a cell from and no one in the school office. My brother and I started walking home, several miles, until my stepdad drove by on his way to the school to find us. In those instances, teens having phones is great. Unfortunately, it's hard to limit them to "emergency purposes only." I don't even like to drive anywhere without a phone just in case something happens. It's one of those great benefits that makes it hard to keep kids away from technology.

You are exactly right. I think most parents today imagine scenarios like yours when they give in to the cell phone question if they are resisting at all. But it does come with a price.

There is research now that shows the effects of screens (games and social media especially) on the developing brain, and it's scary. We waited until middle school for my son to get his phone, and one time I took it away for a punishment and you should have heard the moaning.

The ironic thing is, my son is an Eagle Scout. So even all the years of Scouting, with many face to face meetings with Scout leaders, did not help him become more comfortable on the phone.

Melchi Asuma · Post by **Melchi Asuma** » 26 Jul 2018, 09:12

The world has changed and I strongly think that we should change with it. As they say, change before change changes you. What I mean by this is that everything was currently gone online and this means that children should not be left behind as well. Let them play with their electronics as long as they try to balance the a bit with outside play.

Jagat Jyoti Sharma · Post by **Jagat Jyoti Sharma** » 26 Jul 2018, 09:47

Yes definitely this should encourage kids to play without electonics

Sunnyroyish · Post by **Sunnyroyish** » 26 Jul 2018, 12:00

As I was born in the 90's, I know the fun of playing outdoor games like cricket, football with your friends. Nowadays children are always glued with their mobile phones. As a result they are showing less interest in playing real games. I think this can motivate a child to play outdoor games. But I see a small chance of that.

onixpam · Post by **onixpam** » 26 Jul 2018, 15:16

Kids spent to much time with electronics and it is difficult if they see other children using some electronic device. Toni did not use them so it is some kind of advice to parents and children.

EmilieStormborn · Post by **EmilieStormborn** » 26 Jul 2018, 15:49

I think balance is key. In today’s world, technology usage is unavoidable and it would hold a child back in life’s to not know how to use technology. As long as children are spending a healthy amount of time playing outside or at least doing activities off the screens, I don’t feel as if technology is as horrible as some people make it out to be. It really does depend on how the parents are raising their children and what type of example the parents are setting as well.