4-7-2010

4-7-2010

Observation hours @ SNC Children's Center
Thursday 4/1 - 10-11
Tuesday 4/6 - 1-3
Wednesday 4/7 - 2-3
Thursday 4/8 - 10-11

Because we are going to be working in Chelsea Faase's room, I haven't been able to do any observations for project 2 yet. The Power of Play book; however, really sparked me to think about a lot of things and connect them to what I have observed in relation to the book. I was very intrigued by two of the chapters: the one on toys, and the one on overinvolved parents. What really stood out to me about the chapter on toys is how mislead parents are about toys. The media is used to market toys and does a great job. With the amount of commercials during any given television show, one is exposed to sometimes 20 different projects during a 1 hour time slot. Children's shows are no different. Kids are pumped full of information about the newest toys and games. I remember watching shows at my babysitter's house when I was little and at every commercial one of the kids would say "Oh! I want that!" All of the toys were made to look so cool and exciting that we couldn't help but desire them. It is very smart for companies to market this way, but it is doing nothing for our children. The toys that are marketed are often the toys stemming from t.v. shows or the microchip toys discussed in the books. Both of these types of toys are harder for a child to connect with. It is very interesting how the most simple of toys can be beneficial. I do think that the author goes a little far when saying that a child can't make meaningful memories with a toy from a t.v. show or book. The boy that I babysit for has a Curious George stuffed animal that he sleeps with every night. I think that the stuffed animal is great for him because it encourages him to read the Curious George books which gets him reading. When he plays with George he doesn't just act out what he has seen. Although this is an exception, I do see Elkind's point and do agree with him for the most part on this topic. That is just one area that I had a slight disagreement with. The other chapter that really intrigued me was the chapter on parenting. In reading about overinvolved and overprotective parents I felt sorry for the parents because they really are trying to do what is best for their children. Since I obviously do not have children myself I can only imagine what a parent goes through trying to provide the best for their children. What this chapter really shows though is that it is okay for a parent to relax and let their children develop some independence. We can harm them more by trying to run their lives. We do better as guides and role models for our kids instead of taking total control. Easier said than done, I am sure, but as a future teacher and hopefully a future mom, all I can do is keep in mind what I have learned.