Bored?

"You are too smart to be bored!"

That's what I told my son when he was young and what I tell my students now.  But I followup with things to do. One thing my family does is the Animal Alphabet game.  All kids love animals, and there is a natural curiosity surrounding the animal world. So playing a word game that includes a high interest, such as animals, is a fun, non-boring way to play together.   Start with a group of people: family, friends, those you are in the car with, etc.  One person starts by naming an animal that begins with the letter A, for example: alligator. The next person states another animal/living creature that starts with A - armadillo. This goes on till your group is empty of "A" animals.  Move on to 'B' and so on.  If you have an aquarium you will know fish: angel fish, neon tetra, goldfish, beta or Siamese fighting fish. The sky, ocean, and land are your only limits.  This continues through the alphabet.  The great thing about this game is it is an all age game. It challenges one to think of what they know, creates teamwork as you help others come up with animals, and it is a great way to relate and have fun with the family. Grandparents are great at this, and they are always looking for ways to relate to their grandkids.   Grandparents can be particularly good at this game as they often have a familiarity with less popularly known birds, dog breeds, or other animals.
Dinosaurs are great, but make sure the type of dinosaur is used, e.x. "brontosaurus," not "dinosaur." Having your children use the proper name ("brontosaurus" rather than "dinosaur" or "Dalmatian" rather than "dog") helps work the memory and is more challenging. And let's face it your kids probably know the names of all sorts of animals and dinosaurs that you can't remember.  We have used all living creatures, we even allowed E. coli for an answer.   Think of using this game when you are waiting at a restaurant, driving in the car, or waiting in the doctor's office.  Several books that will help get you and your family started are: Animalia and My Grandmother lives in Goligulch  by Graeme Base; Animals Born Alive and Well, by Ruth Heller. Or try National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals, By Karen McGhee.  What ever your resource have fun!

Check out Mr. Base's fun website!



Now how about some Geography?

Geography game is similar to animal alphabet, you need a group of 2 or more players. One person starts with any place (your group decides if streets are okay otherwise lakes, rivers, continents, towns, mountains, states all work). The person who starts may state any place for example: "Delaware", the next person uses the last letter of that place to come up with the next place.  In this example it would be 'E'.  For 'E' I have to think but it could be Epping, Ethopia, Exeter, Earth. Say Earth is used the next place would need to begin with 'H'. Hawaii, Hooksett, Hampton, Hanover.... If Hooksett is the choice then the next letter, for the next place would be would begin with the letter T.  So Tilton, Texas, or Toledo could be options.  I think you get the idea. Careful on those places that begin  and end with A.  You will need a repetoire of A places.   We have had a lot of fun with this game and find it pushes our brains to remember where we have been and remind us of places we want to go! 

Video games good? or bad?

Angry Birds, Pokemon, Tetris, wii, game cube... gaming can be a lot of fun, it has become a mainstay of modern life.  But what if gaming takes away from relating? What if gaming is part of relating? 

Gaming is, after all, part of the 21st century. But what is the take away? Are our children sensitized to violence? Do they know how to problem solve? To think independently? To relate to their peers? To be positive group participants?  My inquiring mind wants to know.  How is gaming affecting our children?

My personal belief it that some gaming is okay.  But to much of one thing is, well, too much.  I wanted my child to be well rounded so knowing the games and being able to talk with his friends about the different games and their strategies that is important. The question is - do you know what your child is playing? Do you watch or have them explain the game?  Explaining the game can be very important - it gets back to relating and communicating.  Can your child take the time to share with you what the game is about or even include and teach you how to play the game?  Are you mindful of the games your child is playing and are they developmentally and age appropriate? 

So are video games good or bad?  Neither and both. One resent study linked video violence as one of the six factors that build a bully.  By it self video violence is not the cause of bullying. But it is an interesting study check out the link below.

http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2012/07/09/bullying

Video games are part of our culture.  How often one plays and the content is the key to your child's growth and knowledge.  How much video/electronics do you want your child to have?