| Where have all the children gone? The simple answer | | | | active. It was who we were, little dynamos of energy. |
| is they have metamorphosed into little computer and | | | | Unfortunately few kids today have that driven mindset |
| high tech geeks. | | | | to get outside and play. The exception may be rural |
| Back in the day kids would be up early in the morning | | | | kids who have the great outdoors to explore, to build |
| raring to get outside and play. Playing meant anything | | | | tree huts, hunt, fish, climb trees and a host of games to |
| and everything depending on the mood of the day. | | | | play such as baseball, basketball, football, sledding, |
| The kids on our block were tenacious sports and | | | | snow ball fights, ice hockey, roof ball, badminton and |
| game players. We would play football or baseball in a | | | | the list is never ending. |
| vacant lot all day long only going home for lunch and | | | | City kids too can be physically active with an array of |
| supper. We were inventive creating new games of | | | | sports activities. In addition to the above activities there |
| fun on a whim but always with competition and a | | | | are games such as street hockey, stick ball, 4 squares |
| great deal of physicality involved. | | | | ball, box hockey, wall baseball, whiffle ball, dodge ball, |
| There were those days when the weather just | | | | capture the flag, just to mention a few. |
| wouldn't cooperate and our playing took us indoors but | | | | Many kids are sadly overweight and in poor physical |
| we never missed a beat. We played marbles, marble | | | | shape. They need to get moving, literally. |
| baseball, board games, and read and traded baseball | | | | They're certainly is a time and place for computer time, |
| cards and comic books. | | | | TV, and other passive activities but to a much lesser |
| We were never bored and we couldn't wait for the | | | | degree then most kids do today. |
| next day to come so we could get outside. | | | | Obesity is a serious problem in our society and our |
| School was a diversion that we tolerated a necessary | | | | children are not exempt from this insidious lifestyle. |
| evil we thought. School too was fun when | | | | That's right obesity with the exception of some |
| neighborhood kids got together to reminisce and plan | | | | legitement medical conditions is a BI product of a |
| for after school playtime. | | | | lifestyle. Obesity could nearly be eliminated in our |
| School was also a time for learning and our parents | | | | culture with a simple lifestyle change. Get your children |
| made very sure that we were well grounded in | | | | motivated to get physically active. Going out for sports |
| respect for our teachers and the importance of | | | | at school, joining YMCA, YWCA, community centers, |
| learning. | | | | church youth groups all offer great fun and interaction. |
| In today's world, kids are faced with new priorities and | | | | Parents set a good example for your children by |
| new things to do. There are diversions that today's | | | | leading the way and becoming physically fit. A healthy |
| child faces that weren't an issue in my childhood. Life | | | | fit body can add years to your life and most certainly |
| was simple, solid, safe, and secure. | | | | will increase your stamina, self-esteem, and overall |
| My concern for today's kids is that they are not getting | | | | appearance. |
| enough exercise. This was never a problem when I | | | | Do the fun things in life that require no money just plain |
| was growing up, it was our lifestyle to be physically | | | | and simple fun. Get outside and start playing! |