"Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time."
~Rabindranath Tagore
"Mom, you know how you feel when you get a really good picture? That's how I feel when I get a shiny!"
~Lucas Goodman-Caines
So many people shake their heads at our youth. What is the world coming to with all this technology and gaming these kids do today? They spend so much time in front of screens, it's just bound to stunt their growth, vision, development and soul. Right?!
Nope.
Not always.
Our observations of the kids has shown that gaming, texting and computer time has lead to excitement, joy, motivation, learning, determination, perseverance, socialization, camaraderie, sharing, imagination and creativity.
I'll never forget while we were on the road, how our trailer was literally covered in colourful drawings of creatures inspired by the boys' games.
Or, the mornings I have woken up to find that Lucas has emailed me an excerpt of a zany story with twists and turns so reflective of the pace at which levels are beaten combined with characters and events so rich in imagination, it makes my head spin. A world, I could never dream up. A world, that I think he CAN dream up because of his interest and time spent on games.
I've watched multiple interactions of the boys playing their games with their friends...where they help each other, trade, strategize, plan, tally, forecast predictions, assess and test probability, communicate, get excited and feel good about their achievements together.
I've witnessed their interest to write online...to spell correctly...to maintain friendships with adults and children. They also communicate on a global scale by posting, watching and commenting on youtube videos.
Their outdoor games like covert missions and nerf wars... are at times inspired by the games they play online or on their 'gaming systems'...where common interests, fairness, problem-solving, strategizing and physical activity are experienced.
They are motivated to work in order to earn money to get new games/technology...which, I don't see as a bad thing at this stage. :)
Their knowledge of current technology, its capabilities and limitations astounds me. They lack fear in trying new things and trouble shooting issues related to technology. They show initiative, skill and mastery while interacting with technology. They can adapt quickly as the technology changes...which is good because it changes daily and will continue to do so.
.
Of course, none of this is scientific. And I'm sure many a parent curses their child's ipod, DS, Wii or computer.... although, a lot of times those same parents can be seen sucked into the same technology themselves.
Technology provides fun and entertainment, granted... but it's not limited to just that.
I've seen it with my own eyes!
As life learners, I think it's important to remember that trust is trust. If we trust that our kids will learn
how to walk, learn how to talk, learn how to communicate and make choices at their own pace and in their own good time ... then, why do we place fear around the use of technology and gaming? They might just be onto something. :) If given the opportunity, they will be able to explore and discover the world, their place in it and their passions...doing it digitally is just a another vehicle to do so which can expand into so much more than what appears while your child is glued to a screen.
