Lately I’m feeling as if I’m one of the only parents who hasn’t shopped for an iPod, Wii or Nintendo DS-type game system. We have said “No” to all three.
Surprising?
Our kids are ages 8, 6 and 4. Their lists do include such things as iPods and video games, but they are not getting them.
Why have we said no to iPods, the Wii and DS-type game systems? It’s because they are 8, 6 and 4. It’s fairly simple. We prefer that they play more creatively. My 8-year-old daughter asked Santa for school desks to play school. Great idea. As my husband pointed out, at least when the novelty has worn off from the school desks, they can use the desks and chairs to make forts, play “store,” or do whatever else their little minds choose to do.
My 6-year-old son asked Santa for a magic kit. Another great idea. Complete with a cape and magic wand, there’s lots of fun to be had with a magic set when you are 6. My 4-year-old son asked for more Legos and a “Lego table” like the one he uses at his preschool. I was personally delighted with this request, as stepping on Legos is a daily occurrence around our house.
Legos and Kid K’nex building toys are a major pastime for our kids. Recently, my kids made a rather impressive amusement park out of Kid K’nex. They are bend, colorful and a great gift for kids ages 2 and up. A “classroom size” tub of Kid K’nex, available online or at an educational store, provides enough pieces for three or more kids to play together at one time. The large set includes eyes, wheels and all sorts of extras to create various animals, monsters, etc. Even my 8-year-old enjoys these building toys.
So I’m a bit frustrated when I asked my 8-year-old daughter what her friends are putting on their wish lists for Christmas. Mostly iPods and DS games and the like, she says. I asked her whether anyone ever mentions “toys” or “dolls.” She replied that “toys just aren’t as popular anymore.” It got me thinking that there is something a bit twisted in how we are raising our kids. How about a game of old-fashioned Monopoly?
My confusion with this whole dilemma is that we are a society that uses technology for everything. I think it’s great that our kids can create a PowerPoint presentation in second grade and know how to research things on the Internet for school. However, what I don’t agree with is that there is rarely any focus on creative play. It’s all about the next video game or iPod or whatever is hot.
Music is great to have in their lives. However, my fear with an iPod is that the kids would retreat to their rooms with their iPods and earphones and not be seen until dinner. My wish for them is to interact with their siblings, play together and do something creative. They will have plenty of time to be hooked up to cell phones, computers and iPod-type music systems as adults.
Parents should rethink their last-minute shopping lists and look for something creative. Art sets are another great idea. A gift bag or box filled with new paper, markers, stickers, paint, clay, glitter, etc. can be rounded up at the craft store in about 10 minutes and will provide hours of enjoyment for your kids long after the new toy novelty has worn off.
Two years ago Santa brought our kids a pianolike Yamaha keyboard (about $100), which my daughter liked so much that she used it to begin piano lessons last year. We love to hear her practice piano each day. This is the kind of age-appropriate music that I like for her to be exposed to. There will be lots of time in the future to download songs on iTunes for an iPod … some day perhaps when she is a teenager and has had plenty of time just to be a kid.
Or how about a game of old-fashioned Monopoly?
Jennifer Maxwell has a master’s degree in business administration from Loyola
University Chicago. She is now raising three school-age children in the Philadelphia area with her husband, Brian.
