What to Do Besides Watch TV

"Life is Not a Spectator Sport", by Darla Jackson
Part 2

Have We Forgotten?

In a “watching” society, we may have forgotten what children did before all these TV and video screens and organized sports and entertainments were available. Maybe we need some reminders of what to encourage our little children and grandchildren to “do.”

When I was little we entertained ourselves by cutting out paper dolls and dressing them with tabbed clothing. We made corncob and hollyhock dolls and mud pies, played “store” with empty cans and play money. We sewed buttons on a cloth in any pattern we chose, or hand cut and sewed rough but original doll clothes. We climbed trees, hid in tree houses, made up games — indoors and out. I liked to make up stories and create sound effects for them — like thunder or footsteps or fairy dancing — on the piano. I loved to read books and color pictures and dance with scarves to music on the record player.

“Doing” Ideas

Here are “doing” ideas from lists I made when my children were young:

• Cut pictures from catalogs and magazines and paste into collages, favorite things books, or ABC books (find things that start with each letter of the alphabet).
• Paint pictures or posters, color in color books, sculpt with clay or play dough.
• Build with blocks, Legos, Construxs, or other building toys.
• Put together costumes and play make believe. Be a doctor, a dentist, a cowboy, a barber, a dancer, a sports hero or super hero.
• Play camping and sleep in sleeping bags under the stars in the back yard, in a tent, or in the family room. In winter have a picnic on a blanket on the family room floor.
• Put together puzzles or make puzzles by gluing a picture to light cardboard and cutting it into fun-shaped pieces.
• Do an experiment — books to suggest experiments are easy to find at the library. Experiments are fun!
• Read stories or have someone read to you.
• Find an easy recipe you'd like and make a treat for family and friends.
• Plan a family home evening lesson or prepare your assigned part.
• Learn to sew on the sewing machine.
• Write your best memories in your journal.
• Write a letter or thank you (now it may be an e-mail) to grandparents.
• Practice music, learn to lead music.
• Work with flash cards to learn spelling words, music, times tables, or other memorization items.
• Play card games or board games. Play word games. Play games that teach colors, ABC, numbers, shapes and sizes, professions, and so on.
• Deliver treats to neighbors or shut-ins or go with Mom to retirement home to visit an elderly person who is lonely.
• Pick a new arts and crafts project and learn how to do it.
• Write stories or poems (younger children may dictate while Mom writes).

Training and "Doing"