While peashooters, sling shots and cap guns have had their day; yet the Yo-Yo, slinky and water guns are still enjoyed every day by kids of all ages. Many of the toys and games developed after our childhood evolved from the more primitive ones of our time. Even electronic and computer games have the roots in the toys of the not-so-distant past.
Those born between 1930 and 1945 were exposed to a completely different set of values and rules than today's children. Safety was not as big an issue. Boys were told not to stick an arrow into someone's eye, to be careful around knives (used to play mumbly peg and as a tool) and not to shoot at anyone with a BB gun. Girls didn't have such dangerous playthings, but it is possible that one could get tangled in the long jump ropes if theygot overly aggressive in a competitive session of Double Dutch.
The truth is, virtually everything we did back then involved some element of danger. Even tough today's kids ride bikes and skate, they are protected from injury from head to toe. Helmet, elbow guards, knee pads and sometimes goggles are standard gear. If somebody had shown up to play decked out like that, they would have been called a "sissy." Of course, in the politically correct society in which we live, referring to someone as a sissy could land a kid in the principal's office or even lead to suspension. That was then and this is now.
Simplicity may be the first thing that comes to mind when we look at what separates the games we engaged in and the toys we played with versus those available to the kids oftoday. However, the primary difference has a deeper social significance than that. Most of what we did as youngsters was with other youngsters. We played together every day, not just on scheduled days play. Our games involved everyone and they were very competitive-someone or a team won and the other lost, because we always kept score.
It's been said that play is the work that kids do. Believing this to be true suggests that play can prepare individuals for a lifetime in the workplace. And, because the activity is fun, the youngsters won't even realize they are involved in a learning experience. There is nothing wrong with striving to achieve a personal best. But learning to compete and still get along with others are attributes that serves both the individual and society at thesame time.
Children attending after school programs at the Y or other venues offering play programs may be better prepared for life because they interact with others. Or, New Seniors can gather up our grand kids and their friends and take them to the park to play together. A big rubber ball, bag of marbles and some clothesline for jump ropes are all you'll need to keep a group of boys and girls busy as well as happy for a couple of hours.
The kids will figure out the games they want to play, choose up sides and get the process going. All you need to do is watch and enjoy how it all unfolds. Given a chance, today's children can have as much fun as we did.
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