CHILDREN: AN ENDANGERED SPECIES
By Carla Roth
S
weet nectar from honey suckle
research elementary schools with As children spend increased time
blossoms, picnics under shade
the same fervor that accompanies a in front of a screen being constantly
trees, lightening bugs, and the
university selection. entertained rather than playing, they
aroma from a new box of Crayola
Teachers are expected to teach more have difficulty finding their own
4’s - all are treasured memories
in less time with fewer resources ideas and playing out any roles not
from my childhood. Remnants of
with the primary goal of improved presented by the media. We must
these experiences were passed to my
test scores. Children are expected remember that play is a child’s work
children, but the simplicity of “See
to be potty trained by 2, reading and is vital to the child’s physical,
Jane Run” and kindergarten naps
by 4, and playing with the all-stars emotional, social, and intellectual
were not part of their inheritance.
by . If current research studies development. When this is
Organized activities such as
and my intuition/experience are compromised, children communicate
gymnastics, t-ball, and soccer were
accurate, childhood is headed toward poorly, they lack imagination and
the craze. “A busy child is a happy
extinction. creativity and they act with increased
child”, and “Give, give, give” became
aggression and violence.
the “successful parent” mantras of
Creative play, a central activity
the 90’s. Admittedly, I succumbed to
in the lives of healthy children, is If our goal as individuals and a
the pressure, evidenced by my search
unconsciously being snuffed out society is to help our children thrive,
for Cabbage Patch dolls and Power
by the “hurry up” and “do more, we must strive to preserve their spirit
Rangers in the wee hours of the
faster” messages in our homes and of creativity and playful learning.
morning. Fortunately, my quest did
institutions. We have shifted from
not meet with physical injury, but the
nurturing be-ings to manufacturing To be a positive influence in the lives
potential was there!
do-ings, losing sight of the fact that of children, consider the following:
children are born with the desire to
The wind of indulgence and instant
grow and learn; they will do so at 1) If you are not already aware of The
gratification that began to blow in the
their own pace with guidance from Stages of Childhood Development,
70’s has formed a pressurized cyclone
adults. Children who are pushed to educate yourself
which is spinning out of control.
learn before they are developmentally
Students as young as nine or ten are
ready, acquire a sense of inadequacy 2) Strengthen a child’s sense of
showing signs of burn-out with little
and lack of confidence in their own adequacy by watching for learning
to no interest in learning. Parents
ingenuity and creative capabilities. readiness, then guide and encourage,
rather than push or pull.
24 July/August 2009
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