Children and Media

I believe media is not a very good influence for small children. Media gives children ideas and behaviors that aren't always appropriate. Also parents don't always have a say in what their children learn through media. I think there are appropriate television shows for children but there are a lot more inappropriate televisions shows. TV has become a pacifier for children in many ways. Parents us TV to distract them and keep them quite. This is very wrong. Children need to be active and play. Playing helps children learn in more ways the TV ever could. Internet and video games are the same way. Children have no need to use the computer, let alone the internet. Children will have plenty of opportunity to use computers and the internet when they are older. Video games are also unnecessary for children. Video games can be violent, rude or unsuitable for children. Children can become obsessed with video games and have trouble with self control.

I think that it’s important for children to actively play and exercise instead of sitting in front of a screen all day. When I was young I hardly ever watched TV. My mom would let us watch Disney movies on the weekend. Even during middle school the only way I got to watch TV was if I had all my homework done and I got 2 hours a day to watch TV. I think that parents hold the key to the media problem. Parents need to regulate the time children spend in front of a screen. Personally, I feel children should only watch 1-2 hours of TV (or video game) a night. That is plenty of time for children.

My Best and Worst Teachers

There are many teachers that I haven’t like during all my years in school, but my worst would probably have to be my seventh and eighth grade science teacher. This teacher was an Authoritarian teacher. She had a very strict teacher centered classroom. She was not open to changed, suggestions or different types of teaching. During the class we hardly even did hands on activities, and spend the majority of the class in silence for fear of being wrong. This was a teacher that had her class controlled only through fear.

My best teacher was in high school. I took a cooking class and loved it, not only because I loved the subject but I loved the class and teacher. He made the class fun and exciting. He was open to suggestions and criticism. He was there for us when we needed help or advice. This class was always talking about the fun activities and projects we were working on. This class was a very Democratic, student centered classroom. I enjoyed this teacher so much I went on to take another class of his and was even his TA. I still keep in contact with this teacher today.

Preschool For Children

I think preschool is important for children. As a child I went to preschool and have wonderful memories and life long friendships from it. Now, working at the same preschool I went to when I was little, I get to see it from a different point of view. It’s very rewarding watching the children learn threw play. I never remember learning at preschool but now I know I learned a lot, I just did it in a fun way. I think children should be able to have the opportunity to learn on their own, threw guidance from the teacher. I feel children do better if they aren't told what to do and when to do it, but discover it on their own in a fun way. Programs such as High Scope or Constructivist Approach develop an active learning environment. I think preschool is important to help children prepare for kindergarten, develop social skills and learn in a safe environment. However, there is one issue I have, not with preschools but with parents. I don't think preschool should be a place where children spend 10- 12 hours a day at. I think parents still need to be the main adult figure in the child's life and not just see them at night and on the weekends.

Top Ten Stressors for Families Today

Stress is different for each person and each region of the world. The top ten stressors for families today are:

1. Economics: This is very stressful for families. If a family doesn’t have money they can provide for their children. A child’s well being starts with food and shelter, which costs money.

2. Children’s behavior: Children that act out are hard on the family because it takes a lot of energy. If parents can’t control their children tension builds up in the family.

3. Insufficient couple time: Parents need an outlet away from the children. If they don’t the parents might feel overwhelmed and resent the children.

4. Lack of shared responsibility in the family: If one person is doing all the work in the family, there will be conflict. That person will be strained and resent the other parent. It also doesn’t teach the child responsibility.

5. Communicating with children: If children don’t understand what is going on in the family, they might feel lost or unimportant.

6. Insufficient “me” time: If the adults don’t get time for themselves they might get angry or frustrated and the children will get the effects of that.

7. Guilt for not accomplishing more: If the parent or child feels guilty about something they might internalize the problem and not be open to try again in fear of failing.

8. Spousal relationship: If the parents have a healthy, happy relationship that will overflow through the whole family. Children are happy when their parents are happy.

9. Insufficient family play time: If children don’t get time in have fun and interact with their family they might feel unimportant or left out.

10. Overscheduled family calendar: Children need time to relax. If the family is always busy they child might become anxious.

Child of the 80's

I was a child of the late 80's. I think growing up in the 80's was a lot different then growing up now. When I was young I remember having fun. School wasn't stressful, I played outside all the time, I only watched TV on the weekends, and wasn't pressure to grow up too fast. I think now children are forced to grow up faster then they should. The way they act, dress, and even school work is above their age level. The result of this is children are stressed and not able to have fun. However, there are some similarities in the decades. The 80's started the technology boom. Computers, TV's, and cell phones were starting to become more common.