The Children Are Our Future

Parents and educational institutions are fighting for our children's future more than ever. Television and now video game consoles are playing a continuously larger role in the lives of youth.

Today children and teenagers aged 8 to 18 spend an average of four hours in front of a TV screen and an additional two in front of a computer screen playing video games (kidshealth.org). Using electronics to pass the time and as the only form of entertainment is becoming a global pandemic. No one is saying that watching TV or being on the computer is bad however there are statistics that ought to give warning to parents. For example, students who spend more than four hours a day on TV are more likely to be overweight and those who watch violent acts on the screen are much more likely to emulate that behavior. In addition to all this, children become prey to vicious forms of advertisement where experts say children lack the ability to critically analyze the ad they are watching and therefore buy the ad scheme that is being sold (umext.maine.edu). Finally, TV has the ability to distort reality and this is most present in violent shows. A UCLA report showed that perpetrators of violent acts go unpunished 73 percent of the time and that 58 percent of victims depict no pain when attacked (turnoffyourtv.com)!

This fight for our children does not have to be lost. It is easily possible to provide our children with fun and entertainment while teaching them valuable skills at the same time.

For example, there is Sudoku for children. Trying to solve 1-9 numbers on the adult version may be too trying but there is also one for youth where it is only numbers 1-4. Sudoku has been known to sharpen children's reasoning and computation skills. Most importantly, it helps children identify patterns which are one of the most important aspects in mathematics(math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org).

Less mathematical but just as educational are brain teaser puzzlers. These puzzles help children understand the concept of analytical thinking, logic, and of course perseverance. Unless your child is a genius, he or she most likely won't solve the puzzle on the first go. That will make them have to constantly evaluate what moves they have already done and try to think what path they should take next. A great example of this is the "Star Puzzle". This is an incredible popular puzzle where the player has to fit together six interlocking pieces to form a star.

In conclusion, we cannot nor should we cut out television and video games all together. However, it is crucial that we allow our youth to have entertainment that enriches their skills and expands their minds. These are the ages where their minds will be the most affected and influenced. So instead of sitting alone watching television, lets get them playing educational brain teaser games together with their friends and family!