THIS SERIES: SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE The last few posts have been discussing some of the aspects of a simplified life: getting rid of clutter; reassessing the physical and financial implications of accumulated possessions; and enjoying the free stuff available. (Click at the bottom of the page to read.) The point is, simplified lives promote rest and freedom. And if we’re wise, it’s part of a value system we need to pass on to our children and grandchildren. Analysis in 2019 showed North America, Oceania and Europe spent an average of $245 on toys per child per annum; while Africa, South America and Asia averaged $28. And a survey in 2010 showed that each child, in the developed countries, owned on average 238 toys, but played with only twelve of them on a regular basis. The amount spent, and number of items owned will have increased in the intervening years (these are the most recent figures I could find), but my guess is that the number used regularly will not have altered much. As a parent, grandparent, and retired teacher, my concern for the western world, is that we really are ‘spoiling’ our children. In addition to the sheer quantity of toys owned, today’s youngsters are so often presented with play materials all boxed up and ready to go; solutions to boredom served up on a plate. And of course, it is now common for children from a young age to have their very own supply of digital entertainment, literally at their fingertips—a great reprieve for exhausted parents, but one which comes at a price. Boredom has become a dirty word, so our offspring are also frequently rushed from one out-of-school activity to another, with no time just to be, because we are afraid if they are ever bored, then it’s an indictment of our parenting commitment. WHY DOES IT MATTER? A huge excess of toys leads to sensory overload; the ability to make choices and apply concentration to one activity for an extended period is hampered by distractions. If play solutions are always presented ready-formed, we take away the opportunity for children to employ their God-given creative, problem-solving faculties. And when too much time is spent in front of a screen, passivity is developed rather than engagement, and the distinction between the real and imagined is blurred. Maybe surprisingly, a full timetable of extra-curricular activities is not necessarily a good alternative, as it often leads to over-stimulation, and exhaustion—witnessed in many a primary classroom. By trying to avoid boredom at all costs, we deprive our children of time quiet, time to reflect, and time to come up with creative solutions. POWERFUL PLAY Modern parenting is a huge balancing act, requiring lots of grace and wisdom. Heavy work schedules and care commitments make some of the above play-remedies very attractive—and needful. However, although we may not be able to put in place the perfect play-scenarios all the time, we can do something… Most of us, at some time during the week or weekend, can provide free unstructured time and raw materials to foster powerful play. This doesn’t have to be expensive. When our daughters were young, their favourite play materials were found in their dressing up box, which was stuffed with garments and accessories gleaned from family, friends and charity shops; items chosen for their bright colours and potential, rather than ready-made costumes. These ‘props’ were the means for them, and a host of friends (girls and boys), to enter into bright new worlds for hours on end. And out of doors, among the best days out for our family, in our land-locked area, were picnics on a safe stretch of a river, or woodland expeditions, where the children and friends, of all ages, would happily paddle, build dams or dens, and hunt for ‘treasure’ for long periods without issue. I remember in later years, as a teacher, building an ‘air-raid shelter’ out of tarpaulins in the corner of the classroom as part of our studies on World War 2. My sophisticated 11-year-olds with their I-pods, I-phones, and digital games, would beg me to set off the recorded air raid siren so they could gather up their home-made ‘ration’ books and ‘ID’ cards, and crawl into the ‘shelter’ to play old-fashioned word games, sing WW2 songs, and listen to stories… Children actually haven’t changed that much! If we are able, perhaps it’s time to consider reducing the quantity of toys and games our children own, the amount of screen time they are allowed, and the number of extra-curricular activities they are engaged in? Maybe instead of adult-led, or ready-made activities, we could provide more raw materials and some imagination? Not only will it be a counter to the modern culture of instant gratification, our children will develop creative resourcefulness, and it will also have a positive effect on the amount of clutter in our homes, and importantly, on our financial status. And happy, occupied children mean more rest—for everyone. What do you think? Read more about play: SPIRIT-LED RECREATION: THE RHYTHM OF PLAY THIS WEEK'S GRACE RHYTHM:If you are surrounded by a huge pile of your children's toys, consider...
NB Do engage your children in the process, making it a game, rather than a demand, to avoid resentment. NEXT WEEK: 5. SLOW DOWN Building a simpler life means rejecting the tyranny of the urgent, and refusing to jam-pack our days with activity... GET IN TOUCH![Photo credits: Gavyn Alejandro (child at play); Izzy Park (two bored children); Markus Spiske (denmaking);
Claudio Schwarz (hands) @ Unsplash, with thanks]
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
|
All text and photographs,
unless otherwise credited © rhythmsofgraceuk.org All rights reserved. |
**The owner of this website, www.rhythmsofgraceuk.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme. This is an affiliate advertising programme which earns fees for sites which advertise and link to products supplied by Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, and amazon.co.uk.
Please note: commissions are supplied by Amazon; there are no hidden costs for visitors to this website, and all resources shown are genuine recommendations, CONTACT ME
|