 |
|
|
|
|
Subscriber pages
 News Desk
Columnists
Editorial
Readers comment
Tenders
Demo pages Here's a sample of what only subscribers see Subscribe now Subscribe to both hardcopy or internet editions of NNSL publications Advertising Our print and online advertising information, including contact detail. |
.
Playing and learning
Family Literacy Day celebrated with board games and songs
Adrian Lysenko Northern News Services Published Tuesday, February 1, 2011
"The theme this year is play with literacy," said Helen Balanoff, executive director of the Northwest Territories Literacy Council, who organized the event. Many of the activities offered to the children were about listening, watching and being creative. Despite electronics playing an increased role in education, Balanoff said traditional games are still important for early learning. "You'll see, when the kids start playing the board games, that they still have a place," said Balanoff. "And now some of those same games are on the computer." Even with the popularity of video games she doesn't think learning games will go the way of the dodo. "Maybe many years from now, but not in the near future I don't think," said Balanoff. "They'll be around for a while." Mother Jenn Kravitz, who brought her children to the event, disagreed. "Electronic games will take over because they're used as a form of babysitting," said Kravitz. "The other games will always be around but at the end they'll become extinct." Unless a family takes the time to sit down and play a board game, she said, children will take no interest. Kravitz said she allows her children to play video games but limits the amount of time allocated. "They have time to be creative on their own and to take part in play that we used to do in our generation and build those fundamental skills," she said. Lisa Yilmak, who brought her son to the event, said board games will continue to play a role in a child's development. "You get to interact with your child and talk one on one, whereas with the electronics children will miss something because they're not interacting as much," said Yilmak.
|
