May 22, 2012

Children’s playground equipment

playground equipment

Yesterday I commented elsewhere that children are at risk of losing the experience of boredom. That’s because the proliferation of computer games and electronic devices has provided them with non-stop stimulation and entertainment. Ironically, one potential counter-balance to this phenomenon has become boring itself. The children’s playground used to be somewhere that kids could go run, climb and swing. I think in response to insurance-based safety concerns, modern councils have transformed general playgrounds into plastic creches.

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Measured the kids

Measured three of the children tonight. Michael is 174cm (5′ 8), James is 126cm (4′ 1) and Maggie is 122cm (4ft). Tweet Pin It

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Learning to ride a bike

Maggie rides her new bike

I can’t remember when or how I learnt to ride a bike. I think I was probably five years old and I have a vague recollection that I just “had a go” and it worked out okay. Our younger kids were introduced late to cycling because we have lived on busy roads for the past few years and at Mount Gambier there was no sealed footpath near our house. We bought James a small secondhand bike with training wheels for Christmas. He didn’t take to it as quickly as Maggie, who showed aptitude and enthusiasm. Maggie started riding a friend’s bike without training wheels a few weeks ago.

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Biometric finger scanning

biometric finger scan

I had never heard of biometric finger scanning until my son’s school sent home a permission form. Apparently the technology has been around for several years to monitor school attendance and checkout library books. Seems like a good idea to me. Parents who elected to opt out of the system were told their children would be issued with cards. I would like to see the biometric system introduced at my workplace. I have four different cards for the three offices I have to work from and the carpark. Cards can be stolen, but my finger is going nowhere I don’t want it to go.

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Maggie’s bear swings from the ceiling

Teddy bear swings from the ceiling

I went into the city today to pick up some cold and flu tablets. When I came back, I found Maggie’s bear swinging on a chandelier in the hallway. He had invited some bear friends around and they were having a big party. Tweet Pin It

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