Setting aside the ethical dimension of using your progeny as some sort of cathartic revisiting of your younger years, getting your kids into the things you want them to enjoy is no easy thing. It can be tricky sharing the favourite geeky things from your childhood without being over enthusiastic and putting your kids off. I realised recently that there are some simple rules to getting this right.
Some boats have sailed
If you don't introduce something to your kids before it has been eclipsed by a newer technology, it's time to move on. Trying to get your kids into your CD collection puts you on a hiding to nothing. Digital music now means something different to the funny crystal cases and shiny discs we used to collect.
Analogue is never old
In a digital world of ones and zeros the strange analogue world of our youth still has considerable appeal. Not only is there much more information stored in the grooves of a record than the lumps and bumps of a CD, but it's just that bit cooler. Cassette tapes are a case in point. There is still something attractive about their recordable nature and the timeless idea of creating a mixtape for someone you like.
Age is crucial
It's easy to be an eager parent and jump the gun when introducing your kids to the technology and games you remember from your childhood. It's as true now as it was back then; timing is everything. Try and remember how old you were when you started playing Nintendo, or had your mind expanded by that science kit. Then take off a year or two (kids are simply more savvy these days) and you'll have the perfect moment to introduce it to your children.
Gender is not a barrier
Unlike the gender binaries we grew up with, children today are often more able to enjoy technology, toys and projects from across the gender spectrum. My boys love the science-kitchen crossover of cooking and my daughter enjoys the muddy garden play of growing vegetables, particularly when I combine it with some seasonally adjusted iPhone apps.
Self discovery beats enthusiasm
Discovering the world of technology, games and science is something that we can't do on behalf of our children, they have to find these things themselves. What we can do though is to nudge them in the right direction, but be sure we don't over enthuse about it all -- nothing will put them off quicker.
Thank You : wired.co.uk
Some boats have sailed
If you don't introduce something to your kids before it has been eclipsed by a newer technology, it's time to move on. Trying to get your kids into your CD collection puts you on a hiding to nothing. Digital music now means something different to the funny crystal cases and shiny discs we used to collect.
Analogue is never old
In a digital world of ones and zeros the strange analogue world of our youth still has considerable appeal. Not only is there much more information stored in the grooves of a record than the lumps and bumps of a CD, but it's just that bit cooler. Cassette tapes are a case in point. There is still something attractive about their recordable nature and the timeless idea of creating a mixtape for someone you like.
Age is crucial
It's easy to be an eager parent and jump the gun when introducing your kids to the technology and games you remember from your childhood. It's as true now as it was back then; timing is everything. Try and remember how old you were when you started playing Nintendo, or had your mind expanded by that science kit. Then take off a year or two (kids are simply more savvy these days) and you'll have the perfect moment to introduce it to your children.
Gender is not a barrier
Unlike the gender binaries we grew up with, children today are often more able to enjoy technology, toys and projects from across the gender spectrum. My boys love the science-kitchen crossover of cooking and my daughter enjoys the muddy garden play of growing vegetables, particularly when I combine it with some seasonally adjusted iPhone apps.
Self discovery beats enthusiasm
Discovering the world of technology, games and science is something that we can't do on behalf of our children, they have to find these things themselves. What we can do though is to nudge them in the right direction, but be sure we don't over enthuse about it all -- nothing will put them off quicker.
Thank You : wired.co.uk
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