...remember doing tricks with a piece of string and your hands? Like the cradle? In fact this was the only one I could ever profess in accomplishing (the cradle is not the graphic shown). I knew of others that were profoundly capable of making many, MANY string tricks. And I was always amazed by the different, clever ways of what they did and how they could so quickly complete one! Guess my hand agility will never be 'above and beyond' in my lifetime. I do feel quite satisfied having the ability to still make this one I learned. It's kinda like learning to ride a bike, you never forget.
Now, you see, I began to think today about how our younger generation is so proficient in computers and knowledge of operating such in such a way to make us adults look like fools. Yet, again, my thoughts are their childhood is wasted (physically) by not getting out and playing - not that string tricks are physical - more mental, I guess! Most children are content to stay indoors with their television viewing, and their computer games. Yes, agreed, being well-functioned in brainwork involving games and such on the 17" monitor placed in front of them is good for the brain work involved. But what about the dexterity and the physical workout for the body too....not just the mind. Why even with a piece of string and a couple of hands (I've even witnessed some string tricks done with both feet too!), and a friend to amaze, well--it also gives brain power and a challenge to the physical hand work other than the computer's mouse!!....it seems that childhood of today is lacking something. With computer games, yes, it's brain work, but do they use their own imagination and physical abilities?!! I've been in neighborhoods where there ARE a lot of kids aged 0-15, and do I see them outdoors on any given day? No, not really. Most times, when I do see them, it's coming from inside the home to the car--then leaving to head for the mall or movies! No outdoor play like the 'good ol' days'!
Now, this is ironic with me stating the fact about the huge use of computers in today's lives of children, but I found this site (hehehehehe, see, ironic huh?) about string tricks. Now tell me, what would be the percentage of KIDS looking something like this up on the web and testing their dexterity and abilities with something other than a computer's mouse as I stated above -or a game stick? Have kids even heard of this? Probably not. Unless they're lucky enough to have parents or grandparents or friends of the family to reminisce of things that WE did as kids to entertain ourselves with a bit of know-how. Out of boredom, maybe---but oh what the imagination the brain can come up with when there is no help from a computer game.
Mundane to today's child, but it was something for my generation to do on a rainy day!
Antiquated idea, to be sure, but still it could be an time of bonding -even if it is something so simple as a string trick. (But now as I think more deeply with this subject, I'm sure kids today would just walk away, not impressed at all---ha! But in my youth it was amazing to watch and try)
ANIMATED STRING TRICKS
Melli * Barb * rena * Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess * MaR * Penrick * *
7 Comments:
Oh Wow! We used to do string tricks alllll the time! I can remember a simple piece of string entertaining me for an entire car trip to Florida when I was young! I think that year my sister and I always had a piece of string in our pockets (if not in our hands) and they got sooooo worn that they had a million knots tied in them! Eventually they would get too short to do good tricks and we'd have to start over with a new piece of string... that wasn't good! There was almost as much competition for who had the most knots as for who could do the best tricks! LOL! Yep! THANKS for that memory!
Good Morning! Or Good Afternoon, I guess, there in Texas. I haven't been here in a while. Want to let you know that I love your new black and white look. Quite nice! :)
Have a Happy Sunday!!
I remember those! Had forgotten all about that until I visited you today. Thanks for the memory!
Do you remember "chinese skipping"..no PC I know...but that's what we called it. It was with long elastics that two people put around their ankles and then a 3rd would do "string tricks" with the elastic, and not get stuck? Loved playing that as a kid.
My brother and I grew in up in the middle of the country with absolutely nothing...NO TV either...oh how awful was that. We made up things to do like take our mothers clothes line and make a tent out of it with blankets. We would take the poles that held the clothes line up put them between two wagons or anything we could find..walk on them like tighropes and play cirus. We had nothing else so did what we could do. Kids do not have any imagination today. Our grandkids do play board games because their mom (our daughter) loves them so guess that is something they do that we did...It is a shame though!!
My 8-yr old niece can do wonders with those strings. Thanks to her wonderful mom, my sister, who encourages that type of games! great post!
thanks for the memories.....thanks for the memories!
I couldn't imagine today's kids playing with an etch-a-sketch because they would have to shake it to begin again. How about making your own stilts with wood your dad considered scrap wood.
Did the kids change or today's parents?
AWESOME POST!!!! VERY WELL DONE!!! You are exactly right! I agree, kids stay indoors all of the time because thats where their TV, computer & video games are and they hardly ever go outside. I spent most of my younger days outside, at the cabin and biking and doing everything outside. The most I do inside is blog. (*I always create my art outside*) I see & hear about these kids who are inside sitting around doing whatever & I feel pretty bad for them not experiencing much!
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