Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Talk: Media and its influence on childrenAs technology advances, many products has allow children to fall in "low quality" play. There's less creativity, social skills, and problem solving skills developed in children. I see the need to decrease screen time for children and allow them to learn through 1st hand sensory experiences. These products (PSP, WII, close ended dolls and toys) has robbed children of their innate nature to play. E.g. Barbie dolls and Disney princess dolls will direct children in playing them in a certain way. In comparison, a dog puppet, children are able to name is any name they want it to be and play with it with their own creativity.
As teachers, we need to educate parents in terms of how to chose the right toys for children. Especially in the early years, where the windows of opportunity are open (brain development), children should be given the opportunity to think.
Some techniques/ ideas that were suggested by the specker were staying connected with the child (What do you know about this?), TV rules (no TV on sunny days), Alternative activity (Other than watching the TV, I can.... ), Involve in children's play and help bring them back to reality (bring in real people like doctors to solve the problem instead of power ranger), before buying the toy, ask the child what he/she can do with it), Ads are liars (Write about a toy that is not as good as you thought when you bought it)...
WE NEED TO DECREASE SCREEN TIME!
