This picture is of my daughter, she is in 3rd grade. She loves to read, all my kids do. Books can open up whole new worlds of imagination to a child and it just makes me so sad to know that some kids don't get that nurturing time with their parents that reading together came bring.
A boy saw this picture on my screen saver in my office (I work in a school). He ask who it was, and I said it was my daughter and then I said how much she loves to read.
He just looked from me to the picture and then he said, "Too bad she doesn't have an Xbox." I told him we had a Playstation but that we still like books just as much. He just laughed and said that was "crazy-talk". I ask if he read books with his mom and he said "No" but I play X-box with my mamma's boyfriend". I ask what his favorite game was and he said, "Grand Theft Auto".
I couldn't believe it.....he is 6 years old.....and he thinks books are stupid.
I wanted to run right out and buy him some Disney & Dr. Seuss.....he is 6 years old
But how can can a book about Peter Pan or the great rhyme of Sam I Am compare to shooting at the police, buying drugs and picking up a hooker?
As I watched the evening news and it was filled with drive by shooting reports, I had a sudden fear that in 10 more years this could very well be that 6 year olds fate.
That night I started a new book with my daughter. We are reading the Spiderwick Chronicles and she reads a page and then I read a page. We are going to finish the book and then donate it to my daughter's classroom.
Maybe someone will check it out from the classroom library and decide that books can be as good an adventure as video games. I hope so.
6 comments:
Video Game violence is out of control w/ grade schoolers. Most parents don't even read the M for mature rating.
That's a very scary post, I wonder how common the attitude of that 6 year old is, probably far too common. Is it too simplistic to say bad parents = bad kids = bad adults = bad parents?
Got here through...um..well I think it was gnightgirl...I don't quite remember now...
Anywhoot...it is so sad to read that parents aren't taking the time to show their kids the love of books...I was always a bookworm and I have tried to teach this to my 4 year old..and even though she is a 'special' kid...she loves books and crayons and good ol' fashioned fun...
My kid's school has the AR program. You read, take a test and get points based on how you did. This last awards day, these kids were so excited about reading and the AR scores that it brought tears to my eyes. If only the parents would get as excited.
I like the AR program too!
We're a book family, too. I see what you're describing WAY too often and it does concern me. The violence, of course. But more than that. There is a total lack of curiosity and imagination that comes along with all those games and electronics - things that kids need to nurture. It makes me sad. And worried.
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