Dinosaurs: A Child’s Obsession

 

In 1993, the first Jurassic Park movie hit the box office with incredible success. The movie had visual effects so sharp that it almost looked real. The dinosaurs depicted were so realistic and true to the originals that it made a whole generation of kids become fans of dinosaurs. It literally sparked a frenzy among kids of the 90s to search and read anything about dinosaurs.

Publishers rushed to release books, magazines, and comics about dinosaurs to profit from such a high demand. Museums opened new collections that include dinosaur fossils. Children were led to activities consisting of digging for dinosaur bones at various sites. Toys and miniatures of different dinosaur species became very popular, selling tens of thousands.

It was fun for kids to enjoy those amenities. However, the real benefit of the dinosaur madness came with the fact that it instilled a sense of scientific curiosity in children. They were curious about how these creatures lived, how they were fed, and sadly, how they all died and went extinct. No wonder most of these kids wanted to be paleontologists back then.

The generation that had been through this frenzy is believed to have engaged in STEM more than the generations that follow. Some of them sought careers in engineering and academics. Others, when grown up to become adults, have been into science as a hobby.

After this “dinosaur frenzy” died down, new generations got addicted to areas that do not always benefit them. Kids of today are so very much bound to video games and mobile phones that they have been made to neglect any interest in science.

How to Spark An Interest on Aviation

The quickest technological progress that human-beings has ever accomplished might be considered as advancements on aviation. In less than 100 years after Wright-Brothers’ attempt at flying with the most basic airplane, we transport millions around the globe by air through state-of-the art airplanes, which weigh tons. Such an improvement would not have been concieved if it was not for the passion of persons on aviation.

Such a passion would only be lived on by helping kids develop a love for flying and everything that makes us move in the air. The next generation should take aviation to the next level and they must be exposed to jets, helicopters and all flying machines throughout their educational career.

One way to install such a passion is to take them to museums wih aviation themes. Getting up close and personal with some of the historic aircraft can be quite helpful. Quoting on how these operated on the real life and telling stories about these flying wings might capture the little ones’ attention.

They can also be taken to the nearest air show where people can get up close and personal with various aircraft. Unlike museums, these are not static displays. You can watch them fly by and even perform some aerobatics, which might spark an interest in these machines. Feeling the vibrations that the jet engines produce always gets one into an excitement and awe.

The love for flying starts at the childhood. Pilots are often the ones who kept dreaming on flying when they were young. We should encourage young people to pursue aviation-related careers.

As the great Turkish Leader Ataturk says: “The future is in the skies.”

Lost Appetite – The Joy of Reading

 

I remember I stared at comic magazines before I learned to read. I was trying to guess what was going on just by looking at the pictures and turning the pages, curious to see what happens next. After I learned how to read, those comic books became my lasting memories from my childhood. I was so happy reading them, never knowing what boredom was.

Nowadays, I rarely see children enjoying their reading sessions. Reading feels like something obligatory as an extension to their studies rather than an activity to get joy out of it. Although the selection of books available to them is much more diverse than what it used to be, kids do not seem to find books that make them jubilant.

This is largely attributable to the technology that surrounds today’s youth. The internet has made available just about any digital content. Movies, games, and all sorts of digital entertainment instilled a sense of insatiability into young minds. Accessing everything and switching back and forth between each media with ease, kids started to be oblivious to simple things that used to make them happy. To them, reading takes time and some mental energy. They could simply watch an episode of their favorite TV series instead and get the same joy they could have gotten out of reading.

The joy of reading faded because of the excessive use of technology in kids. Technology, though helpful if used correctly, can mess with your child’s cognitive skills. Reading, on the other hand, flourishes their mental skill set while giving them a good time.