Another concern of public education is what I call the “Wow Factor”. The Wow Factor is the amazement or excitement that children now expect with every task that they are given to complete.
Many children need a wow factor to interest them in everything and anything that they do. They do not play with toys or games that do not have it. Children no longer play with stuffed animals or toys that do not talk or make noise of some kind. They want games and items that flip, sing, and wow them.
The same is expected of teachers and school. Students feel that they have to be entertained and wowed when at school. Teachers become concerned with creating plans and lessons that will amuse their students.
While I agree that learning should be fun for children. Children also need to learn that not everything is entertaining. Some things in life we just have to do for reasons other than amusing ourselves or for entertainment purposes. This is a lesson that is very hard for some children to overcome.
It is a concern for schools and teachers to compete with today’s video games, electronic devices, toys, and media. Children are growing up in such a high tech world that they, and we, often lose sight of the simple things in life that once gave us such joy.
I found it much harder to keep the attention and interest of middle school students. Children in kindergarten are much more willing and likely to find learning fun.
Parents can help their children reduce the need for the wow factors by encouraging their children to use their imaginations. Parents can show children that everything does not have to light up, talk, or be plugged in to be fun and entertaining.
As our society progresses, the need for a wow factor in education will also likely increase.
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