Just got back from a birthday party of a 4 years old girl, and, I am still overwhelmed.
The family hired a well known entertainer, who tried to provide as many attractions as she could within 90 minuets.
Birthday parties, as many other things in our lives, have become a well planned, overly budgeted production.
Every party must have a theme (preferably something to do with super heroes, TV or movie characters). Each detail, from the invitations to the favor bags, must be related to this theme. Sound systems, sophisticated costumes and effects are a very common sight in very young children's birthday parties.
The kids get used to an extreme level of excitement, sometimes much higher than their capacity, and once the level was set as a standard, it is very difficult to go back.
Parents that would rather have a qualitative, quieter, self made party, are afraid that their kids will be disappointed, and find themselves surrender to the social pressure.
Interesting enough, I find a lot of similarities to the process we witness regarding kids and reading.
The kids are getting used to extreme levels of stimulation from the moment they are born.
Electric swings for babies with colorful lights, moving objects and music, vibrating baby bouncers with the same entertainment systems as the swings, fancy electric toys and so on and so on.
If you are a parent, a grandparent an uncle or an aunt - you know it very well. If you are not related to kids, you will not be able to miss it when time comes (and you are probably not reading my blog right now...).
Don't get me wrong, those things are great. I am embarrassed to admit how many times I used them when my children couldn't fall asleep, or when I wanted some quiet moments for myself.
It doesn't get better as they grow up and get older.The level of excitement grows up as well. At this point it is very difficult to convince them that a book is a great way of entertainment.
It is certainly not easy, but there are several ways to overcome this obstacle. For example:
- Education and habit - If you read a book to your kids every evening before bed time, since they are babies, hopefully, they will have good memories and grow up with passion for book.
- Combination - If you combine devices that are known as high excitement generators (such as a computer, an iPad etc.,) with the content you want, you can at least control what you get them to read.
Using Batalugu's platform to create books is an excellent way to combine both worlds.
Tell an exciting tail,
Dorit Rosen
Founder
http://batalugu.com
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