It’s nearly summer and our family has begun our normal evening walks. This summer we are enjoying these walks with our grandson. As we walk through the neighborhood we see more toddlers ‘driving’ miniature cars. It has been a trend for a few years for parents to buy their children motorized cars and I am in total amazement. Aside from the fact that putting a child who is still developing fine motor skills behind the wheel of a moving vehicle is akin to telling them to run with a butter knife, I find no compelling reason to shell out $200. What happened to buying children balls and jump ropes? What happened to engaging children in a rousing game of tag? What are parents teaching their children about the importance of physical activity? Are they teaching children that ‘driving’ is the ultimate fun? Are parents who let their children drive up and down the driveway while they garden missing a wonderful opportunity to engage their children in meaningful activity with them or other siblings?
We are a nation of obese children and adults. Instead of being more active, each generation gets more sedentary. And instead of developing the kinds of relationships that come when children play with other children AND with their parents, we continue to raise children who see the world from one perspective- theirs. They start with motorized cars that they drive (without a license) and with very small steps move to private computers, ipods, televisions, bedrooms, bathrooms and totally miss the growth that comes from learning to share.
Parents of today, think!
Filed under: Children's Toys Tagged: | children, children driving motorized cars, motorized cars, obesity
