Nowadays parents occupy their children’s time by allowing them video games, tablets and smartphones. From as early as one year of age (and earlier in some cases) kids are being handed electronic devices—not able to use a pencil yet, but stylus.
These tools are modern inventions that stimulate learning at a faster rate as opposed to conventional hands-on and face-to-face progressive development. It’s also a way to give responsible adults some free time and also get irresponsible adults out of doing their jobs.
Parents frequently and without hesitation hand over their own, or even purchase separate devices for youngsters to play with. So with all the modernisation with technology, why hasn’t our disciplinary system evolved yet?
It’s surprising to see that in this day and age adults are still publicly displaying ruthless behaviour towards children. They scream, shout, manhandle, hit and even curse their kids for wrongdoing, which leaves nothing to doubt that what could be done in the view of others can also be done behind closed doors. But there are alternatives to corporate punishment and these can be found by applying the same technology we use to keep our kids occupied.
Although “licks” might bear results for some people, for the kids who are immune to it, parents should try a different approach. Countless videos, mini movies and true stories are available online, so tap into these and put your kids to watch them regularly. Let them see where violence, rudeness, bullying, reckless and overall bad behaviour will get them.
There is such an overload of negativity in today’s society from the entertainment industry, music and human behaviour; parents need to counter these influences with positive actions by all means necessary, and this includes loading up your kid’s iPad with mind-moulding content.
Amanda Khan,
South Oropouche