Explore alternatives to video games

Elizabeth Pinkston / News Virginian
Published: May 4, 2007

You have brought up a number of issues here as you struggle with what to buy for your grandsons.

Little boys are frequently aggressive, but this does not always have to be a bad thing. Some of this aggression can be harnessed for useful pursuits and can help them to be successful later in life. Obviously some of it can be a detriment to themselves and others and should not be encouraged.

There have been many scientific studies that indicate that playing some video games tends to foster some antisocial and aggressive behavior. Many of these are video games designed for older children, but some of the ones for younger children foster this behavior as well. Even the educational video games tend to keep children inside sitting in front of a screen for hours at a time, depriving them both of exercise and more imaginative play.

Children have played with toy guns for generations. At least, at the same time, they were running around outside chasing each other, getting exercise and using their imaginations.

There are rules and guidelines for playing with these guns that are agreed on by experts, even the NRA! Toy guns should never look like real guns and even toy guns should never be pointed directly at people.

On the day after the Virginia Tech shootings, I had the unnerving experience of having a three-year-old point a toy gun in my face as I was examining his little sister. He burst into tears when I disarmed him, explaining that toy guns were not allowed in the office, but recovered rapidly when presented with a set of police and fire vehicles to play with on the floor. Even a three-year-old who "wants to be a policeman when he grows up" (according to his mother) should not be allowed to point a gun in anyone's face.

Toys that you should consider for your grandsons are toys that will either help them get exercise safely, or toys that will stimulate their imaginations.

Bicycles or tricycles with cool, brightly-colored helmets are always welcome, as are age-sized sports equipment such as soccer balls, basketballs and hoops, plastic baseball bats and balls or lacrosse sets.

Toy tractors, trucks and earth-moving equipment work well in backyards and in sand boxes. There are many manufacturers of this type of toy, Tonka and John Deere to name two.

Playmobile and Lego are companies that make excellent toys primarily for indoor use. They make farm sets, fire stations, castles, pirate ships and space stations, with all the people, animals and other associated props that go along. These toys can be assembled and disassembled into many variations on the same theme.

Toys that allow children to use their imaginations foster creativity, self-expression and self-confidence. Playing together with toys fosters cooperation and sharing among children.

Encourage your grandsons' parents to set limits on the video games and provide them with alternatives that will stimulate the development of their bodies and minds. It will be a good investment in their overall well-being. Good luck.

Tags relating to this article:

• No tags are associated with this article.

Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search: