brain waves, video games, learning
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/10/01 9:24:27 AM, fuerst@... writes:
<< The media producers and advertisers are majorly
invested in us/our children spending as much time in front of their
adverstisements as possible. Do we simply allow our children to be fed
this stuff? >>
My kid aren't deciding what they want to do based on its advertising. Some
toys are played with one day, even though the advertising was great! Mine
still play original nintendo even though it hasn't been marketted for ten
years or so. Who told them to do that? They did it because it was fun. And
they did it even though they have flashier, newer "cooler" stuff in the house.
<<At any rate, this state of consciousness, with its low level of
awareness, seems
decidedly unhealthy to stay in for prolonged periods. >>
Why?
And low level of awareness of WHAT exactly? They're aware of a great deal.
What they're doing is so interesting that outside conversation is an
interruption.
I could see, if I were an immature and jealous mom, wanting them to think I
was more interesting than anything else. When they were little, I pretty
much was. But people grow and change. If I want to get their attention I
need to actually be saying something important or attractive. And what I do
is ask them to let me know when they come to a pausing place or a commercial,
if they're involved in a show or game. Even if Holly's playing Barbies,
there are moments when she needs to finish the action or set-up she's on
before paying attention to something else.
<<In regard to video games.....I wonder if studies have been done.>>
We're just not living our lives by other people's studies and predictions.
If a study told me how much time to read and how much driving around is too
much and how long reading to Holly at night and sleeping with her if she
wanted was "right," why would they know? What would be their own prejudices
and basis of analysis and methodology?
I do know because I'm there and seeing and discussing and helping that my
kids have learned lots from just about everything they've ever done or seen
in their lives.
Maybe it's because of my attitude toward them and learning more than the
actual materials or activities. Maybe because I didn't pre-judge the things
to be bad, and pre-conceive what "balance" would be it's working out well
here.
I do have the advantage of having started early with kids who hadn't gone to
school. And there are people here reading who are in that same situation. I
think some of the limiting parents do is like school and because of
school--at least the school models in the parents' heads. They think school
learning has to look like and be like school, and they value school-learning
(subject areas) over what they see as playing.
Many people don't honestly believe that learning can come from play.
That makes it really hard to unschool.
And even new age health folk have "sins" to consider. It seems this
beta-wave state is a state of sin to some here.
Is sleeping sin? Do you limit your children's sleep to 8 hours a day? Even
babies and toddlers? Even teenaged boys? How's the brain wave while
sleeping? (I already know; was hoping others would consider it, though, and
remember what temporary insanities can be induced by lack of sleep.)
I wonder what brain wave state dancers and jocks are in? It's not possible
to check them with today's equipment, because they're moving during that
activity, and this culture with it's work ethic values movement over being
still.
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd
<< The media producers and advertisers are majorly
invested in us/our children spending as much time in front of their
adverstisements as possible. Do we simply allow our children to be fed
this stuff? >>
My kid aren't deciding what they want to do based on its advertising. Some
toys are played with one day, even though the advertising was great! Mine
still play original nintendo even though it hasn't been marketted for ten
years or so. Who told them to do that? They did it because it was fun. And
they did it even though they have flashier, newer "cooler" stuff in the house.
<<At any rate, this state of consciousness, with its low level of
awareness, seems
decidedly unhealthy to stay in for prolonged periods. >>
Why?
And low level of awareness of WHAT exactly? They're aware of a great deal.
What they're doing is so interesting that outside conversation is an
interruption.
I could see, if I were an immature and jealous mom, wanting them to think I
was more interesting than anything else. When they were little, I pretty
much was. But people grow and change. If I want to get their attention I
need to actually be saying something important or attractive. And what I do
is ask them to let me know when they come to a pausing place or a commercial,
if they're involved in a show or game. Even if Holly's playing Barbies,
there are moments when she needs to finish the action or set-up she's on
before paying attention to something else.
<<In regard to video games.....I wonder if studies have been done.>>
We're just not living our lives by other people's studies and predictions.
If a study told me how much time to read and how much driving around is too
much and how long reading to Holly at night and sleeping with her if she
wanted was "right," why would they know? What would be their own prejudices
and basis of analysis and methodology?
I do know because I'm there and seeing and discussing and helping that my
kids have learned lots from just about everything they've ever done or seen
in their lives.
Maybe it's because of my attitude toward them and learning more than the
actual materials or activities. Maybe because I didn't pre-judge the things
to be bad, and pre-conceive what "balance" would be it's working out well
here.
I do have the advantage of having started early with kids who hadn't gone to
school. And there are people here reading who are in that same situation. I
think some of the limiting parents do is like school and because of
school--at least the school models in the parents' heads. They think school
learning has to look like and be like school, and they value school-learning
(subject areas) over what they see as playing.
Many people don't honestly believe that learning can come from play.
That makes it really hard to unschool.
And even new age health folk have "sins" to consider. It seems this
beta-wave state is a state of sin to some here.
Is sleeping sin? Do you limit your children's sleep to 8 hours a day? Even
babies and toddlers? Even teenaged boys? How's the brain wave while
sleeping? (I already know; was hoping others would consider it, though, and
remember what temporary insanities can be induced by lack of sleep.)
I wonder what brain wave state dancers and jocks are in? It's not possible
to check them with today's equipment, because they're moving during that
activity, and this culture with it's work ethic values movement over being
still.
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd
Elizabeth Hill
SandraDodd@... wrote
bitter rival! (It crashes when he pauses it, so he caters to it and expects me
to be robust and understanding and patient. Arggghhh!)
in the situation. There isn't one scientific answer -- and if there was, it
would be a meaningless average. So, we can't prescribe the right amount for
others, can we?
Betsy
>I agree. It's an altered state of consciousness called "concentration".
> Why?
> And low level of awareness of WHAT exactly? They're aware of a great deal.
> What they're doing is so interesting that outside conversation is an
> interruption.
>You can color me immature and jealous. My husband's hockey game on the PC is my
>
> I could see, if I were an immature and jealous mom, wanting them to think I
> was more interesting than anything else.
bitter rival! (It crashes when he pauses it, so he caters to it and expects me
to be robust and understanding and patient. Arggghhh!)
>How much time to read, to drive or to sleep together depends on the individuals
> We're just not living our lives by other people's studies and predictions.
> If a study told me how much time to read and how much driving around is too
> much and how long reading to Holly at night and sleeping with her if she
> wanted was "right," why would they know? What would be their own prejudices
> and basis of analysis and methodology?
in the situation. There isn't one scientific answer -- and if there was, it
would be a meaningless average. So, we can't prescribe the right amount for
others, can we?
Betsy