This week the PTA hosted a morning presentation discussing technology in the classroom. The teacher that presented is an outstanding teacher and did a great job with the parents that attended. One of the terms he used was "digital native" as he was describing our students. I've been thinking a lot about that term and what it means for my boys. This connected world is the only world they know. Sorta bittersweet if you think about it. Waiting is not in their vocabulary. Whatever they want is at the touch of a button. I often wonder, how to tap into that spirit and how to slow it down a bit too.
The here and now generation has a great amount of energy. I see it in my kids all the time. They dream something up and run to the Internet for research. BUT, if it can't be attained at that moment, the disappointment can be monumental. How do we teach our kids to be patient, resilient, calm and understanding? To know that at times they must wait, or maybe even fail.
This past week's events have caused me to pause and examine how different the world is now from when I grew up. I grew up with many of the same events my kids are experiencing: a war, recession, gas lines, fear of a nuclear episode, be it from enemies or a nuclear meltdown. But, there is one huge difference. I didn't have it in my face all. the. time. Sure I thought about it, discussed it with my friends, wore the silver POW/MIA bracelets, and did sheltering drills in school. And then I went my way, playing outside until my mom rang the bell to come home.
So, I think kids are resilient more than we think. In fact, I think they are probably numb from all the information that they know. My kids ask questions, know a whole lot more than I did at their age and still play outside. My thought is, are they so over saturated from the information that they don't even process the information anymore.
With this 24/7 connection, do we need to have them step away, so they can learn the idea of compassion and kindness-or is that being built into them as they see and hear of these events?
Forgive me for my ramblings. Just some things that I've been thinking about. I couldn't post links for fashion or food today. Today, I'm lucky to be a mom, daughter, wife, sister and friend to those around me.
I'll be keeping those in Japan in my thoughts as they recover and will continue thinking about my boys as they navigate through this ever-changing world.
Some places to donate for the Japan disaster.
Also, please remember that New Zealand and Haiti are still recovering from their disasters.
9 comments:
Beatiful post today..images and words, couldn't agree with you more Jane.
Your images have a feel of hope with the new growth.
Another good one is donating thru Paypal...
Have a good weekend
xo
Goodness your snow is melting fast. I think spring will be here before we know it!
such an important topic. I think for this generation, spending enough time unplugged and out of touch is more important than it ever was for us.
I have one funny "digital native" story . . . I'm sure this has happened to nearly every mom of kids under a certain age . . . we listen to the radio in the car, and the kids still say, "can you rewind that?" or, "pause it mama!" and I have to say "sorry, no can do!"
Such a thoughtful post. As a teacher of 8th graders and a mom to twenty-somethings, I know I'm glad I don't have the challenges moms of teens have today, but I do think about them and how challenging they can be. Kudos to you for being a mom who recognizes the importance of the natural world and who thinks about these types of issues as you raise your young men.
i often worry about the immediacy of our society these days and what it is teaching our children. or rather, what it isn't teaching them. great thoughts, jane.
I couldn't agree with you more...
As a teacher, I see that our students are constantly bombarded with information. There are two responses - to be weighed down and despair totally, or to be immune and tune it out because it's just too much.
I do think we need to monitor how much we expose these kids to!
Great post, love your photos. Spring is in the air.
Very thought provoking, I have been pondering along similar lines. It can be very hard to know how to parent in a world that seems so very different to the one we grew up in.
We have a tech lecture at our school every year... and I go even though I've "heard it before" because I need reminding of how mind-blowing it all is, growing up in this generation. It is crazy - and scary - and I wonder how these kids will grow up... they don't even have privacy/space/time to even THINK. And that's probably the least of their worries...
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