Imagine a time when a child's game was made from wood and tin and nails.
Yesterday we purchased a toy for a four year old boy's birthday. It is all plastic with a computer chip inside that creates sounds and images on a tiny screen embedded in the toy.
Our world has progressed to the point where a child's imagination is not needed to play. Toys dictate how they are to be used, put together, or even what dialog is expected. There are even infant toys for sale today that contain some type of computer chip or will support the parent's Ipad or Ipod. Kids are losing the ability to self soothe or create their own environment in which to imagine and play.
The "pinball" game pictured above is probably from the 1930's. I imagine that in its time it was quite a luxury for a child to have this. Growing up after the Crash of '29 was not a time when children were spoiled with excesses. My father was born in that very year, and I know that his childhood was not filled with games and toys. He played with friends in his neighborhood, and knowing him found plenty of ways to amuse himself and probably get into a little mischief.
I wish that my kids and theirs could find that kind of mischief.
I could not agree with you more! You nailed it!
ReplyDeleteThese days a game like that would be considered dangerous for children. How times have changed.
ReplyDeleteI totally miss the simpler days. Sometimes too much technology IS a bad thing, especially when kids don't need to use their imaginations as much. Kind of a shame.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really love that photo. Great job!
Love the Art Deco design and colors of the 1930s pinball game. Yes, back in the day we didn't have computerized toys and had to rely on our imaginations. I wonder what the result of these electronic toys will be--kids with incredible computer skills but no imagination?
ReplyDeleteWonderful pinball machine! I refuse to have a computer in my classroom... I prefer the richness of "stuff" that the kids can explore and manipulate on their own. Even my dress-up basket is just an array of large fabric squares that they can use to create their own imaginative costumes. There are far to many "scripted" toys out there that stifle children's imaginations. Or, heaven forbid, they actually go and play outside with natural objects! What madness have we created with all this technology?
ReplyDeleteOh me too!! My father grew up during the depression and he wrote two memoirs..one of those years and one about his military career....I love the simplicity of his boyhood years...ingenuity reigned supreme!! Love that photo!!!
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather used to let me hang out with him in his woodworking shop. By the time I was 4, I had my own tool belt with real tools. My favorite tool was a hammer & I loved pounding nails into wood. I made great crosses.
ReplyDeleteFor my son a hammer and nails trump all his toys.
ReplyDeleteI guarantee, kids these days are not quite as empty and unable of imagination as you think they are simply because their toys are smarter. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right,, kids have trouble finding things to do without some form of technology- many have trouble using their imagination- it's sad...
ReplyDeleteKids are losing the ability to self soothe or create their own environment in which to imagine and play.
ReplyDeleteAMEN!
nice way to nail this one.
That is the COOLEST toy! Lead paint maybe LOLOL? I agree... we used to have fun with string doing cat's cradle... we used a bobby pin, rubber band and envelope... made up all kinds of games with that stuff!
ReplyDeleteI love old toys -- own a lot of them -- but I like the new ones, too. Like my iPad.
ReplyDeleteNice photo, NoName. Is this your pinball machine?
Why did I just call you NoName? Being sick sucks, that's why.
ReplyDelete