Mrs M
yoda76Technology ain't got nothing on old fashioned toys
December 7th 2006 03:43
I take a few minutes to watch play and these are the things that he is practicing and learning from this one puzzle.
1. The alphabet – uppercase and lowercase.
2. Recognising and naming the different colours.
3. Fine motor skills get a work out placing the pieces correctly.
4. Problem solving – placing the pieces correctly so they fit together.
5. Memory – remembering where the “extra” pieces fit to complete the fish.
6. Interaction – with me, as we do the puzzle together.
Right there are six things that we as parents know are important for our children to develop and master. All these things from an inexpensive, non-technology based, activity.
I am guilty of owning some technology based games – CD ROM games, the ‘Fisher Price Interactv’ video game (can I just say that was gifted to me), a cheap and cheerful basic children’s laptop with games on it, and my kids have been introduced to the Nick Jr website where they play some games.
I do monitor their “technology” time so they don’t end up with square eyes but watching my son play with this puzzle, technology really doesn’t compare. If I think about it, I don’t think these technology-based games teach anything that the old fashioned toys can’t teach. In effect, this wooden puzzle has an advantage over doing a computer based puzzle.
From the list above, fine motor skills and the problem solving skills cannot get a work out using a mouse but most importantly, getting together with my son to do puzzle on the computer just doesn’t seem to have the same sense of fun and bonding.
So, I shall be fooled no more. Technology be gone. Well…mostly gone. Maybe you can come out and play sometimes.
| 118 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Nice to see your red image bursting forth again.
Great point.
You know I never had such toys, my parents never read to me, I have always been a top broad based, harder subjects, student, never had any difficulty reading, have had minimal computer training, mostly self, never any problems with maths or science, no spelling difficulties.
My mother did not believe in pushing people but we were allowed plenty of activity in the home, always had meals together, talked around the table, allowed to play with saucepans, spoons etc, given little bits and pieces and beads and buttons and string and things etc to play with.
So it seems most of us are programmed to learn anyway, and the modern view is that children learn through play and just playing is very good for their social and all round development.
My own children had the best of everything, one taught himself the piano accordian at 2 1/2
and all developed very early in life.
However, that is me and my children, the wooden puzzle looks great, but I took the view if they learned too much of a formal nature too early school would be boring for them.
Your child seems to be having a good time, but heard of mud, water and sand? exceptionally good for learning skills of all sorts.
This is sounding very negative for you, it is not meant to, just seeking to add another dimension.
I've known kids who seemed positively dumb pre school who were quite good at school and if parents are to be believed well above average, beyond that I find a little hard to accept.
I don't know how I'd be if I had my time again. The novelty does wear off. I considered Primary school's greatest benefits were social and still do.
I wouldn't be going in for home tutoring [too lazy].
I'm on your side with the wooden puzzle, I just question the benefits of the alphabet and upper and lower case at this stage, but it is you who has to cope with modern childhood, not me, oh, I do go on don't I. Not enough to do at present, but I know that won't last and I'm cutting back on my orbling - thank God, says everyone, heaving a huge sigh of relief.
I know what an even temperament you have, and being a Capricorn you're always on top. So I don't think my words will deter you, hopefully they'll give you a smile or two.
Love and stuff{keep forgetting my new skill}
katyzzz
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I agree completely. In fact another benefit of the older style (or just old) wooden toys is that they tend to last longer as well. I bought my son a wooden racing car for $2 last christmas and, while the other plastic cars that he was given have long since whithered and died, the wooden toy is still going strong.
I believe that introducing your children to things like the alphabet and numbers early on is an excellent way of encouraging learning and also of making sure that such things don't scare them when they first start school.
They have enough to deal with at that time after all.
My son is three and a half and he loves learning about numbers and letters. Learning how to write each letter has developed his motor skills as well. He also recognises many of his numbers and letters and feels very proud of himself when he tells me what a certain letter is when he sees it.
Lets keep those wooden toys, educational or otherwise, around ... they are just so good.
A.H.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I think I've read enough of your comments to know that you are not in the least bit condescending. I agree with about pushing children too early with "formal" learning - what happens when they start school and repeat the same stuff. Having said that, my son has a thirst to learn, much more than my daughter did at his age. He also sees his sister learning to read and wants to be like her. So I try to give him what he wants, short of actually learning how to read. But I think he will have a few words under his belt before he starts school. I don't know whether it is because he is brighter than my daughter or because he sees her doing her letters and things like that he wants to emulate her. Well see. And yes, mud is great - just not inside thank you
Hi Andrea,
Your son sounds like my son, very interested in letters and numbers. Mine is always asking me how to spell things. He doesn't remember half of the answers, he just likes to copy his sister who always asks how to spell things. But she's in kindy so she actually retains some of the information.
When my daughter started kindy the teachers did prefer that she could recognise the alphabet, could write her name and could count to 20. That was pretty much all they required.
Thanks again for visiting.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Inner West Life
There is an old wooden puzzle piece stuck to my head.
I think it is a giraffe. I can't be sure. NOS wants to use the computer to play "his games"....
And in a few moments, I'll be there to help him work his way through complicated computer tasks, all with a giraffe stuck to my head....
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
LOL!!! Better to have a giraffe stuck to your head than up your nose or in your ear
You raise another good point. It is frustrating to have to navigate through the steps on a computer. So much for kid friendly.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Manjula
Love ur blog btw....I have 2 kids and agree with most of ur posts
Comment by Nina
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Thanks so much for your visit and your comments. You are absolutely right about kids just wanting to do what we do. Sometimes my kids surprise me and help me dust and sweep when I'm cleaning the house. They think it's fun.
Hi Nina
Spot on about imagination and technology. Manjula mentioned that technology games can only be used for their intended purpose and you mention that they can be rigid. That's just ironic isn't it? These games are supposed to open our minds and imaginations but they seem to have the opposite affect.
Have you seen the new Nintendo Wii console. Apparently, for instance, if you are playing tennis you need to swing the console just as you would if you were holding a real racket actually playing tennis. Why spend $700 on a console when for a fraction of the cost you could go to a tennis court and do the same thing - for far more aerobic activity I suspect.
Thanks for visiting.
Love & stuff
Mrs M