This Subject Again?

At one point in this blog (click me), I wrote about social networking and for the reasons that children need to actually interact with each other instead of with a computer screen.  Today, even though I am writing about the topic again, it is for different reasons.  Yes, children still need to interact with other children, but they also need to play outside and interact with the world.

Computers are amazing tools but that's it.  They are simply tools that allow someone the opportunity to learn more about something that they have already experienced in life or something that they want to experience.  But a computer can't take the experience for you (and yes, I know what virtual reality is) and a computer can't complete that experience and then relay it back to you to let you know if it was worth it.

By interacting with the world, by putting the game console away, by staying off the computer after dinner, kids have more opportunity to get outside and explore the world (with their friends, if I must refer to my previous post).  When children play outside, not only do they build up their desire to have fun and exercise, their imaginations continue to build as well.  This will serve them later in their lives not only as active people who want to continue to be active, but also people with large imaginations find it easier to perform more difficult tasks because their mind is already thinking of alternatives.

It doesn't matter what kids do when they are outside, but it's worth it for the children to get outside and do something.  Leave the computers behind.  Tell your kids to grab their friends and run outside.  Play in the backyard.  Play in the street . . . . well, maybe not in the street unless it's a cul-de-sac.  The computers will be there when they get back inside after they play and eat dinner.  The games will be there later.  Your friends might not be.  A couch potato only has the friends on his television or somewhere out in the ether that they are playing against.

Granted, once they get a little older and have more homework, then it's possible that they won't be able to go out and play with their friends, but by then, hopefully, they'll be involved in some sport or activity that will continue to keep them active.


Until tomorrow.