No Batteries Required

Posted by dotjinks on May 9, 2006 in RowdyWrites | 2 comments

I love to surreptitiously watch my son play and witness the choices he makes. Lately, Harry likes to play with his wooden train set, though it’s not the wood or colors that attract him. He usually notices the battery-powered locomotive first and then wants to run it on the track. In his childhood wisdom, invariably and amazingly he retires the powered train engine to the floor and out of the way after the first few minutes of play. Of course, it is still “on,” making its noise and shining its light, helplessly lying on its side like a wounded thing, shunned. There is only one engineer in Harry’s railroad adventure and when the advanced battery powered toy drones on in its dissenting and unchangeable way, Harry simply chooses to remove it. Despite the abundance of electronic toys offered to toddlers today, often it is the simpler classic toys that provide a richer and more desirable experience for both the child and his or her parents. Something about a battery powered toy’s predefined, linear play flies in the face of the creative and imaginative free play with classic toys. Maybe simpler is better?

Harry queries me, “Da da,” with one arm outstretched from across the room where he has been building again. This time it’s his favorite set of wooden blocks and he has constructed a loosely shaped pyramid with a small tower stacked in the middle. He has a satisfied smile of accomplishment and proud eyes that glow impishly. Once I am caught, Harry directs my gaze with an exaggerated turn of his head toward his latest masterpiece. “Excellent Harry! Very, very good!” I exclaim.

This child and parent transaction has never occurred during Harry’s interaction with his electronic learning toys. While he has busied himself repeatedly with electronic activity boards, simulated car dashboards that have steering wheels, and even a “Leap Pad Jr.,” Harry has never requested validation of the activity. These electronic toys have their own built in acknowledgement systems, with bells, words, and flashing lights confirming completion of a task. These toys not only guide the course of play in a “to-do list,” fashion but also reward the child for successfully subordinating to each toy’s defined purpose. This combination is missing a crucial third party interaction from a living counterpart and murders the true process and success of creative free play.

Delighted at my response to his achievement, Harry immediately destroys the tower, scattering the blocks with a backward sweep of his little hand and then claps happily. The revised ritual of, “come and play blocks with me Daddy,” begins. This consists of a flurry of activity, and excited chatter, all while doing a back and forth dance between the table and me. “Would you like for me to play with your blocks Harry?” I ask as I sit by him at the table. The response is positive and I may even get another hug or kiss!

Now that the singing and dancing are over the terms of the invitation to play are stated in a simple patient gesture. Harry slides five or six of the thirty or more blocks towards me and queries “Da” once again. This new custom is subtle, but the change in my developing son may be immeasurable.
The invitation is to accompany Harry as a witness and participant in his creation of another masterpiece, not to aid or manipulate the process. This change is the newest twist and almost a complete reversal in our shared play scenario. Do I have the defiant electronic toys to thank for this new willful and deliberate nature in my sons play experience? Clearly if I do not subordinate I will undermine his new found sense of purpose and he will retire me to the floor just like the battery powered train.

I prefer to observe, and participate with, my son deep in the mist of an incredible free play adventure utilizing classic toys, and the reaping of the rewards that style of play offers him. However, there are lessons to be learned and each type of toy and play combination has value. The choice is his, will he be starring in and directing an adventure of his own design today with classic toys driven by his imagination or will he sit back and take a ride on the entertaining and leading experience that batteries have to offer in a toy?