I don't work at a video game store
So I'm at work, busy sizing jeans when I witness this. A mother comes in with her adorable little daughter. The girls about four and is happily entertaining herself while her mum shops by hiding in the middle of racks and playing with a balloon. She's a bit noisy but for the most part behaving herself nicely. Then mother number two comes in to look around, also with a little girl about the same age. She's also quite cute and is busy playing on her Nintendo DS and not so much as a peep is heard out of her as she stands next to her mother.
Now this happens, Girl A shyly approaches Girl B, obviously delighted to see another child her own age. She timidly says a few works and what is Girl B's response?
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing. She doesn't look up or so much as say a word in response.
This bothers me in a couple different ways. Firstly, it's honestly a bit rude and her mum, who's standing right there and paying attention, didn't say anything to her daughter. Then there's the fact that the kid is picking the video game over interacting with other people, especially her peer group. Lastly, I've been seeing this more and more the last few years, and I think it's getting overboard.
Despite the fact that video games were a no-no in my house, I hardly hate them. (Note that I do write FF7 fics.) I think they can have a healthy place in a person's life, but I do think there should be an element of control especially in the earlier years of a child's life. Yes, they're a good way to keep you kids quiet and entertained, but it's a good idea to have them figure out how to do more 'crude' play. Let them figure something else out like reading a book and playing with a toy or something. If they refuse to do that and you don't have time to entertain them, let your kids be bored. Maybe they'll whine but it's more likely to do you harm than them, while giving them a good lesson. Even when you're shopping, there are worse ideas. It's hardly child abuse.
I suppose I'm going a bit overboard, however both my parents were teachers and I've heard first hand from them about the growing problem. Towards the years before her retirement, Mum, who taught kindergarten, got more and more students that didn't understand that 'game' didn't automatically mean 'video game'. I don't mean they didn't know what a board game was. I mean they didn't understand basic playground things like Hide-and-go-Seek or Tag. I genuinely didn't believe her when she first told me. Quite scary. All that missed social interaction growing up.
Hopefully that little girl is not an example of what worries. Though I was bothered when her mother had to call her about six times to get her attention. It's one thing I'll definitely keep in mind should I ever have any sprogs.
Now this happens, Girl A shyly approaches Girl B, obviously delighted to see another child her own age. She timidly says a few works and what is Girl B's response?
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing. She doesn't look up or so much as say a word in response.
This bothers me in a couple different ways. Firstly, it's honestly a bit rude and her mum, who's standing right there and paying attention, didn't say anything to her daughter. Then there's the fact that the kid is picking the video game over interacting with other people, especially her peer group. Lastly, I've been seeing this more and more the last few years, and I think it's getting overboard.
Despite the fact that video games were a no-no in my house, I hardly hate them. (Note that I do write FF7 fics.) I think they can have a healthy place in a person's life, but I do think there should be an element of control especially in the earlier years of a child's life. Yes, they're a good way to keep you kids quiet and entertained, but it's a good idea to have them figure out how to do more 'crude' play. Let them figure something else out like reading a book and playing with a toy or something. If they refuse to do that and you don't have time to entertain them, let your kids be bored. Maybe they'll whine but it's more likely to do you harm than them, while giving them a good lesson. Even when you're shopping, there are worse ideas. It's hardly child abuse.
I suppose I'm going a bit overboard, however both my parents were teachers and I've heard first hand from them about the growing problem. Towards the years before her retirement, Mum, who taught kindergarten, got more and more students that didn't understand that 'game' didn't automatically mean 'video game'. I don't mean they didn't know what a board game was. I mean they didn't understand basic playground things like Hide-and-go-Seek or Tag. I genuinely didn't believe her when she first told me. Quite scary. All that missed social interaction growing up.
Hopefully that little girl is not an example of what worries. Though I was bothered when her mother had to call her about six times to get her attention. It's one thing I'll definitely keep in mind should I ever have any sprogs.