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[madamevoilanska]

Things of which I do not approve:

-video games/computer games/toys that simulate school before kids go to school.
-markers that only draw on special paper that's included in the package
-kids' TV shows that aren't smarter than they seem

That's all. Dinner and quiet night in tonight.

~Anne

Comments

[spreadsothin]

Why are you against school before school? I was dying to go to school early.

[madamevoilanska]

I'm not against kids wanting to go to school early. I'm not against playing school. And I'm not against learning stuff before going to school. But I feel like toys that are marketed as "school before school" are a way for overambitious parents to give their kids a headstart. What's the rush, I say? And isn't that what pre-school is for anyway?

I think playing should be playing. If you learn something, that's great, but I have a thing about toys or games whose sole purpose is to teach you something. My brothers and I played with blocks--big wooden ones and Legos and train tracks and those big fold-up cardboard ones that looked like bricks. And I had a Playmobile dollhouse. Nothing particularly educational about that, but it's great for the imagination.

[spreadsothin]

I agree with you that imaginative play is so very important. I thought you were taking issue with children playing school! I agree that many parents pressure their children too much.

[madamevoilanska]

Oh, heavens no. I LOVED playing school. :)