Should Children Play ?

[n2ize]

I was speaking to a woman a few days ago who suggested that children should not be allowed to play. When she said this I nearly fell over in my chair. I asked her to elaborate. She stated that she didn't mean children should not have fun, just that their fun should be entirely purposefull in a real world sense, such as games or "toys" that focus on learning some concept that is applicable to reality, education, and future realities they will have to face and function within as they evolve into adults.

I must say that I entirely disagree with her ideas. Sure kids must learn how to deal with reality and adulthood. But that doesn;t mean all play must be centered around those goals and only those goals. Isn't imaginitive play also an important part of growing up ?Whether it be pounding clay for no reason but for the fun of it, creating imaginary scenarios, toys that just act as abstractions with no obvious purpose, etc. I think these things are very important. They help build physical dexterity and also help promote the idea of thinking out of the box, taking some idea and perhaps moving it into a make-believe realm and imagining all the different possibilities that might arise can only help a child to become creative. . I can think of so many ways that play that involves heavy use of imagination, abstraction, or that is done just for the fun of it with no obvious purpose or goal is just as important a part of childhood as play that is geared towards education and specific goals.

While I can understand where she's coming from I think her vision of what is appropriate play for children is extremely narrow and short sighted. If anyone cares to elaborate or comment then, what think you ?

[KC2UGV]

What do I know? I think kids should swim in water filled with pond scum, eat dirt, and play swords with sticks.

[ki4itv]

That lady totally doesn't get what "play" is...

[n2ize]

That lady totally doesn't get what "play" is...

My feelings exactly the entire time I was talking to her. Even when i tried to explain it to her she couldn;t seem to grasp the idea that "play", particularly in the context of kids, often means doing things that have no stated purpose or monetary reward.

[N8YX]

That lady totally doesn't get what "play" is...

Or "why", but if you have to explain it to those types they're 'gone' in 60 seconds.

[N8YX]

My feelings exactly the entire time I was talking to her. Even when i tried to explain it to her she couldn;t seem to grasp the idea that "play", particularly in the context of kids, often means doing things that have no stated purpose or monetary reward.
Next time you encounter such an individual, ask them why animals "play" so much while in the pre-grown stages of their lives.

[kf0rt]

What do I know? I think kids should swim in water filled with pond scum, eat dirt, and play swords with sticks.

I agree. If it was good enough for moi....

[suddenseer]

To show how much times have changed, here is an old Sesame Street clip showing unsupervised kids playing in a construction site. This now banned on Sesame street. I always loved construction sites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9539xbUfLKM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9539xbUfLKM

[NQ6U]

Of course children should play—as long as the little bastids ain't playin' on my lawn.

[KG4CGC]

I was speaking to a woman a few days ago who suggested that children should not be allowed to play. When she said this I nearly fell over in my chair. I asked her to elaborate. She stated that she didn't mean children should not have fun, just that their fun should be entirely purposefull in a real world sense, such as games or "toys" that focus on learning some concept that is applicable to reality, education, and future realities they will have to face and function within as they evolve into adults.

I must say that I entirely disagree with her ideas. Sure kids must learn how to deal with reality and adulthood. But that doesn;t mean all play must be centered around those goals and only those goals. Isn't imaginitive play also an important part of growing up ?Whether it be pounding clay for no reason but for the fun of it, creating imaginary scenarios, toys that just act as abstractions with no obvious purpose, etc. I think these things are very important. They help build physical dexterity and also help promote the idea of thinking out of the box, taking some idea and perhaps moving it into a make-believe realm and imagining all the different possibilities that might arise can only help a child to become creative. . I can think of so many ways that play that involves heavy use of imagination, abstraction, or that is done just for the fun of it with no obvious purpose or goal is just as important a part of childhood as play that is geared towards education and specific goals.

While I can understand where she's coming from I think her vision of what is appropriate play for children is extremely narrow and short sighted. If anyone cares to elaborate or comment then, what think you ?
This is already done in many situations. It's called indoctrination.

[PA5COR]

Stupidity par exelence.
I was always happy our son played outside do what kids do then, building rafts fall in the water till 3 times a day, make little bonfires roast potato's on it, play cowboy and indian etc.
Better as the current crop vegetating in front of a computer...

[n2ize]

I really found it an incredible conversation. And the more I tried to discretely point out that she might be wrong and spontaneous, imaginative play merely for fun may actually benefit youngsters the more adamant she became. So I causally changed the topic.

[n2ize]

To show how much times have changed, here is an old Sesame Street clip showing unsupervised kids playing in a construction site. This now banned on Sesame street. I always loved construction sites.


This was also great. And it was eventually banned. I remember my younger brother, cousin, and their friends would load up with pie tins and then throw themselves down flights of steps imitating this guy. He was like a hero to a particular generation.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BRDQzfi234

[kb2vxa]

"...their fun should be entirely purposefull in a real world sense..."

That's a definition of work, work is not fun, that's why work and fun are two separate words with two separate definitions. On the other hand play is fun, fun is play. The exception is pro sports, they don't play games, they go to work. Are they having fun? (Before you open your yapper go back and read it again.)

Bottom line here is all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Now go out and have some mindless fun like operating an 80M FD station at 3 in the morning. CQ CQ CQ Field Day, this is W2DOR, we're two dirty old rats...........

[KG4CGC]

6064

[n2ize]

"...their fun should be entirely purposefull in a real world sense..."

That's a definition of work, work is not fun, that's why work and fun are two separate words with two separate definitions. On the other hand play is fun, fun is play. The exception is pro sports, they don't play games, they go to work. Are they having fun? (Before you open your yapper go back and read it again.)

Bottom line here is all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Now go out and have some mindless fun like operating an 80M FD station at 3 in the morning. CQ CQ CQ Field Day, this is W2DOR, we're two dirty old rats...........

Theres a fine line between work and fun. Most work is not fun. Such as cleaning the house, painting a wall, selling hamburgers, etc. But work can be fun if you enjoy doing it. For examplee, some people have jobs where the work is challenging and interesting and they consider their work to be fun.

[K7SGJ]

Kids should have to play war. It will prepare them for later life.

[N7YA]

I really found it an incredible conversation. And the more I tried to discretely point out that she might be wrong and spontaneous, imaginative play merely for fun may actually benefit youngsters the more adamant she became. So I causally changed the topic.


Sounds to me like she grew up with serious imbalance, a lack of friends and a lack freedom. It also sounds like she was forced to be perfect, or "more adult" all throughout her childhood. You basically just had a conversation with her thwarted past, sounds to me. I couldnt disagree with her more.

[n2ize]

Kids should have to play war. It will prepare them for later life.
Well if thats the case then I was well prepared. We used to play army/war all the time....

[kf0rt]

Well if thats the case then I was well prepared. We used to play army/war all the time....

If it wasn't war, it was cowboys and indians. Out here anyway. That phase of life didn't last very long, now that I think about it, and from what little I recall. 1964-5?

[n2ize]

Sounds to me like she grew up with serious imbalance, a lack of friends and a lack freedom. It also sounds like she was forced to be perfect, or "more adult" all throughout her childhood. You basically just had a conversation with her thwarted past, sounds to me. I couldnt disagree with her more.

Yep, you got her pegged (more or less). In her case the way I understand it it was her mother that used to pressure her to be tops at figure skating, piano, etc. the result was that she was good at these things but she was no childhood prodigy, average to above average but nothing special.

I could never understand parents who push their kids like that. I used to see it a lot when I was assistant coach at the local little league. The worst times were when the parents were watching the games. So many parents envisioned their kids as future star pro baseball players and they would torment the poor kids. I remember at one game a kid coming up to me in between innings. He was crying, his eyes drenched in tears. At first I thought he was hurt, Then he said to me, "will you tell my mother to shut up !!" I realized then the kid was hurt, not physically but mentally. I realized he would probably get quite a scolding at home, for not hitting a home run, for not making that spectacular game saving diving catch. Really sad.

When I was a kid I took up the violin. My parents never pressured me. As a result I still play to this day simply for the enjoyment of it. Unlike the kids I knew who's parents pressured them to no end and as a result developed a resentment for playing an instrument.

[n2ize]

If it wasn't war, it was cowboys and indians. Out here anyway. That phase of life didn't last very long, now that I think about it, and from what little I recall. 1964-5?

Oh yeah, we played "Cowboys and Indians" in Brooklyn. It was popular even here on the east coast. I had an awesome pair of 6-shooters. Very realistic with brass shells. It was a fun phase of life.

[kf0rt]

Oh yeah, we played "Cowboys and Indians" in Brooklyn. It was popular even here on the east coast. I had an awesome pair of 6-shooters. Very realistic with brass shells. It was a fun phase of life.

Wife and I still watch reruns of Gunsmoke when we get the chance. All streamed via the net these days, but I like it better than this "reality" stuff. We all had cap guns that used the rolls of caps that were more fun at the end of a hammer. Can't imagine toy guns being as popular as they were in the 60's.

Kids are wussies these days, thanks to the damn libruls. :dunno:

[kb2vxa]

We played Gunsmoke or The Lone Ranger. Our kids played Blazing Saddles or Brokeback Mountain. Our weaponry was realistic and we never worried about getting shot by cops. Our kids played with brightly colored plastic and got shot by cops. Our grand kids are safe at home playing video games but GAWD are they fat!

Oh and BTW they don't play Cowboys and Indians in Brooklyn anymore but when they play war they use real guns.

[n2ize]

Wife and I still watch reruns of Gunsmoke when we get the chance. All streamed via the net these days, but I like it better than this "reality" stuff.

Uggggghh.. tell me about the "reality" crap. Problem with the reality crap is that its boring and its not reality. The networks like it because its cheap to make. Give me a good ol' western any day. Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, The Rifleman, etc. Those were real MEN!! Not these reality tv wussies.



We all had cap guns that used the rolls of caps that were more fun at the end of a hammer. Can't imagine toy guns being as popular as they were in the 60's.


cap guns yeah. I had both the type with the roll caps and they mattel Stick-um greenie caps. And they made real gunsmoke. We had model airplanes with fuel driven engines. God forbid... now junior would cut his poor little fingee with the propeller and they'd have to sue the manufacturer. Back then we all had cuts from the propellers. We'd just squirt a little fuel on the cut to kill any germs. heck, the fuel was like 90% alcohol.


Kids are wussies these days, thanks to the damn libruls. :dunno:

Well, maybe not the libruls but something has put us into ,major wuss mode. These days I wonder. The girls seem to be tougher and have more guts than the guys.

[kf0rt]

Uggggghh.. tell me about the "reality" crap. Problem with the reality crap is that its boring and its not reality. The networks like it because its cheap to make. Give me a good ol' western any day. Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, The Rifleman, etc. Those were real MEN!! Not these reality tv wussies.

Can't watch the reality stuff here, either. It's so.... contrived. Matt Dillon, though... Now, there's a Man's Man. You know James Arness just died recently. Good dude right to the end.


cap guns yeah. I had both the type with the roll caps and they mattel Stick-um greenie caps. And they made real gunsmoke. We had model airplanes with fuel driven engines. God forbid... now junior would cut his poor little fingee with the propeller and they'd have to sue the manufacturer. Back then we all had cuts from the propellers. We'd just squirt a little fuel on the cut to kill any germs. heck, the fuel was like 90% alcohol.

Sure, show off. :rofl:


Well, maybe not the libruls but something has put us into ,major wuss mode. These days I wonder. The girls seem to be tougher and have more guts than the guys.

I'm pretty sure it's the sugar they pump into our diet.

[KB3LAZ]

We used to play war games, cowboys and Indians, and spy games all of the time. Our parents did not like the fact that we used bb guns or homemade spears but..meh..we survived.

[n2ize]

Sure, show off. :rofl:



It's actually true. They were small and the finger cuts you would get were mostly superficial, requiring at most a band aid. Nothing like the big stuff you see a lot of guys with nowadays that can easily lop off a finger or two and/or at the very least require stitching.



'm pretty sure it's the sugar they pump into our diet.

When I was a kid they sure pumped us up with sugar. I remember all those flavored cereals enriched with sugar. Seemed like they came out with a new one every week. Yet there were fewer cases of obesity and back then and type 2 diabetes was virtually unheard of.

[N2CHX]

This woman obviously never heard that there's a time and a place for everything, including play. Work hard, play hard.

[kb2vxa]

Funny you should mention sugar. Mom made sugar sandwiches with plenty of butter so the sugar wouldn't fall out. Breakfast was scrapple and eggs, sometimes bacon or sausage. Then there was cereal, I preferred oat meal, cream of wheat or the occasional grits (you Southerners are going to hate this) with cream and brown sugar. Never mind McDonald's fat, to get through to lunch time you need breakfast that will stick to your ribs, then we had the ribs for lunch.

ME fat? I burned calories like a furnace and now that the fires have cooled I just put fewer calories in my 160lb pot belly stove. Right Kelli, burn it off and you'll have a lap for the laptop.

[ab1ga]

Children should not play, it could give them ideas.

Their own ideas.

[n2ize]

Children should not play, it could give them ideas.

Their own ideas.

That would be bad... very very bad.

[N7YA]

They may turn out to be scientists, or intellectuals, homos...or even democrats!!


Because we all know that respecting women, playing with your friends, not liking war or killing people and trying to be nice leads to freethinking, homo democrats who worship Darwin and his religion of science....which leads to SATAN!

[kb2vxa]

Satan kitteh awaits.

[NQ6U]

You should send that shot to I Can Has Cheezeburger?

[n2ize]

Satan kitteh awaits.

The cat is a funny animal. It's hard for me to look at a cat and keep a straight face.

[N7YA]

Beelzeboots.

[KB3LAZ]

Speaking of cats. I like most animals even many not considered a typical pet. However, cats are something that I am very picky about. I mean, I am pick with dogs too. Either animal has to pick me rather than me picking it. If I go to look for a dog for example, it has to come to me once I am there, I will not try to pick it up until it has discovered that I am there. If none of the puppies do that, then I let them go to a home more suited for them.

Back to cats. This is very tricky with cats because cats are very independent. I have never once intentionally obtained a cat. Every cat I have ever had in my home was a stray that found me. One of which I miss dearly. It had the attitude of a cat but many similarities to a dog when concerned with actions. It would wait for me at the bus stop. Sleep on the bed with me. Let me pick it up and pet it at will. I find this rare in a cat. Most will come to you only when they desire attention.

One must wonder if many people choose cats as pets for this reason. It is an imitation of a partner or companion. In that sense it would seem to me that submissive personalities tend to prefer cats where as dominant or even neutral personalities tend to prefer dogs. Personally, I like pets with a middle ground compared to cats and dogs. Things such as ferrets. They seem to have a little of both feline and canine personality.

Random, yes. Also, just an observation.

[kb2vxa]

"It's hard for me to look at a cat and keep a straight face."

Kiitteh tink U funny 2.

[N7YA]

6143

[KG4CGC]

Remember giant dome shaped monkey bars?

[NQ6U]

Remember giant dome shaped monkey bars?

I remember when they installed a set of those at the local playground. Kids came from blocks around to see them because they were a new thing back then and we no longer had to fight off the monkeys before we could use them.

[wa6mhz]

Kids should not be allowed to play outside anymore, or be unescorted to school, or left alone for a MILLISECOND anywhere.

CUZ the whole world is full of BOGEYMEN and MOLESTORS!!!! Not safe for a child to go out with an armed escort similar to what they did in IRAQ with a platoon and Humvees!

[kb2vxa]

Monkey bars: where monkeys go to drink.

[n2ize]

Kids should not be allowed to play outside anymore, or be unescorted to school, or left alone for a MILLISECOND anywhere.

CUZ the whole world is full of BOGEYMEN and MOLESTORS!!!! Not safe for a child to go out with an armed escort similar to what they did in IRAQ with a platoon and Humvees!

In many respects this is very true. Never know when a nutcase is passing by.

[KG4CGC]

In many respects this is very true. Never know when a nutcase is passing by.

Baff Sots.