Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

So funny... I was just sent a link to this article from our preschool moments ago:

The Movement To Restore Children's Play Gains Momentum

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

great article.

this made me sad.

even sadder still, that I spend even MORE time in front of the screen.

that's why I don't get on the computer at night. I and try not to do it at all in front of my son. I even try to disuade dh from doing it while Luce is awake.

it's PLAY time. whether he get me to chase him around the furniture, peek a boo, or dancing, we do it together.

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

Fantastic article. While I'm known to lounge on the couch, I will also get up and throw kitchen towels around my neck and dance around like a lunatic pretending they are my cape to encourage DD to do the same. I would LOOOOVE to see a push towards more imaginative play. It's a crying shame that kids are being robbed of this literally once in a lifetime opportunity to BE KIDS!!!!!!

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

1/2 and 1/2 for me.

I try to turn off Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and she cries. But she's not WATCHING it (which sounds stupid but irrates me). We're playing. Running around in a different room, coloring, eating, helping me cook (new thing which I love), chasing the cats, walking to the mail box. Other than leaving the house (to which she says bye bye to mickey) she wants it in the background.

SOOOOO ...

I got google TV for hubby (house) for xmas. Now I have pandora up and I'm going to start a mickey channel for kid songs etc. Hopefully that will be a compromise.

I, for one, feel music is VERY important and is essential. Its right up there with independent imaginative play. So having it in the background doesn't bother me.

I will not lie. I haven't see an adult show in WEEKS. We catch snipets here and there but rarely sit and see a whole show. Our DVR fills up and when she's at my aunts we catch up.

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

Great article. I totally agree with the movement.

That said, do you REALLY think this is true? "The average 3-year-old can pick up an iPhone and expertly scroll through the menu of apps."

Nah ... really?!

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

I have no problem with giving a child an ipod or whatever to play with while waiting for the doctor. What I have a problem with, is that child going to be able to focus and solve a math problem when it comes time to? Or is she going to need it to light up play music, so that she will even pay attention to whats being asked of her?

A couple months ago I would have waves my hands and said "whatever" tv isn't so bad, computers are my life, literally my profession, so I wont badmouth anything technical, I live in it

But since, somehow I become part of this movement, I am now convinced that DS play time affects his mood and behavior throughout the day in every respect.

I take his playtime very seriously, yes he's only 10m and I've been doing it since about 8m. A large part of his day, he is in an environment only with simple toys, nothing complicated, nothing electronic, nothing that is wound up, or has hidden mechanisms, or plays music or anything like that. If he wants something to make noise he bangs on it, and explores the sound. If he wants something to move he figures out how to move it.

I would not believe until I tried it, but it has changed our lives. He's happy to play by himself, he can entertain himself. He's teething and miserable, but distracts himself. My time with him is so much more special now, because I'm not using it to calm him down or to distract him, or help him or whatever. I use it for just me and him time, we sing and hug because we are just happy.

The key is children who are entertained, go through life looking to be entertained. Its nothing about being anti-electronics, or anti-ipads or whatever. Its about how children learn to learn.

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

After reading this article, last night instead of getting home and putting on the tv (which is basically background noise to john at 13 months) I put on his Little people CD instead.. he kept looking up at the TV wondering where the people were.... BUT he played nicely while I made dinner without tv!!

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

i defiently try to do this - my aunt is amazing at it -that is why she is a preschool teacher- and her grankids can keep them selves busy with anything - they create games out of almost nothing


we got an unplugged book thathelps give ideas - it is really nice

Re: Spinoff to "thoughts"... article about creative play

I try to use our time to "teach" him and let him "play". I am not a big fan of the TV and I think he's caught a glimpse of the TV for a few seconds in the last 5 days. I was doing Mickey Mouse in the morning for his bottle and sometimes during lunch but I decided to read him a book during that time instead. He's so attentive because he's hungry and just laying down or sitting there so it's perfect.

I read to him a lot, we play with musical instruments, sing songs, I try to show him colors/shapes/numbers, etc. It's amazing what he has caught onto at 10 months. Granted I'm an EI therapist/teacher so it comes natural from the career I had. I read Very Hungry Caterpillar everyday to him and he can now point to the egg, moon, and sun when asked!! It's hard when I'm tired but in the long run I feel so good at the end of the day that I tried to teach him and he explored his surroundings. We have a play area allocated in the basement for all of his toys and books. He goes to town in it and can play independently and will chase balls, roll cars, climb, look through books, etc. I think moderation is key also-TV isn't BAD and it doesn't mean if your child watches TV that it's BAD. I just think plopping a kid in front of a TV all day can't be a good thing. Too much TV exposure is lacking social interaction, exploring environment, etc.

ETA: They have a huge playroom at this place called LePlay Cafe in Bellmore with supervision. They have costumes, toys, and tons of things to facilitate imaginary play. It's $10.95 for unlimited play ALL DAY!

Message edited 1/7/2011 10:08:04 AM.