May Mojo!
If the suggestion of a trip to the seaside, a farm or swimming is greeted with exclamations of ‘Oh no!’ in your house this May Bank Holiday, then you, like me, might find yourself thinking back to the good old days when things like that were considered fun.
Instead of beating yourself up as a parent, wondering where it all went wrong, the answer may lie in screen-based research. It seems that frequent screen changes in children’s TV programmes are used as a tool to maintain young children’s interest.
A consequence of this is almost speeding up life itself so that a trip to the seaside or a farm on the TV is so fast actioned that the reality appears slow and boring by comparison. TV and screen time are limited in our house, although my 9 year old has cleverly found ways to circumvent this with an array of Minecraft homework,
from designing a
fairground ride, to making an Egyptian tomb or toy!
We live in a computer and screen-based world where computers undeniably make our life easier and enhance it in many ways, but are a poor substitute for children learning in a hands-on way. They provide little, if any, enrichment for the senses, the gateway to all
learning, and no food for the soul.
Technology is such a huge part of our lives that we positively need to embrace it, but setting limits is clearly important as carefree time spent exploring outdoors, running vigorously and playing are key to the development of well-rounded children and fighting the obesity battle.
With life itself so fast paced now, and the immediacy provided by social networking and other media priming children, and adults, to expect everything immediately, you can’t beat the feeling of release provided by exploring how a worm moves, discovering a new shoot, mixing up a witches potion, rolling down a grassy bank, playing hide and seek or building dens.
Being outdoors and vigorous play are not only good for the body and soul but also free. May is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors together as a family so be sure to get outdoors this half term, wallow in the weather and find some May mojo!
It’s all Child’s Play
Feature by Sue Gascoyne of Play-Z Ltd 51
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