General Discussion

Moral Compass

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32. Boxes and String/Shovels and Wood

Wed Nov 21, 2012, 07:30 PM

Nov 2012

I had more fun with cardboard boxes and string than I ever had with a regular toy. Regular toys only do whatever it is that they do and then that's it. Raw materials and a few basic tools (when you get older) and you can make things.

I remember a big cardboard box that a refrigerator came in when I was five. This box became a playhouse until my mother decided having huge cardboard box in the living room wasn't cool... I was so steamed when she threw it out.

So, I'm not surprised at the lack of complaint. Or about the teacher's comment about the kids doing "projects". Kids will naturally build things if you give them half a chance.

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A preschool teacher took away the toys in his classroom & gave the kids empty boxes - happy kids [View all] Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 OP

Homelessness training? nt valerief Nov 2012 #1

Quite an imagination you have, valerief. Did you create your own play with random items as a child?� Journeyman Nov 2012 #5

Oh, yes. I was always the one who wanted to "put on plays" on the spot. valerief Nov 2012 #19

Why immediately go to that space? Skidmore Nov 2012 #9

I'm old. We played with balls and sticks when I was a kid. Or else valerief Nov 2012 #18

Cardboard boxes, a bucket of Legos, and another bucket of Construx and I was good to go. Posteritatis Nov 2012 #40

I never understood the draw of those "overly technical" toys like Teddy Ruxpin Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #20

I'm only slightly embarrassed to admit that I liked the cartoon, at least. (nt) Posteritatis Nov 2012 #41

Kids love boxes Drale Nov 2012 #2

cats looooove boxes and bags Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #3

Which reinforces my belief The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2012 #8

both are evil little creatures? dlwickham Nov 2012 #28

They are, indeed, evil little creatures. The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2012 #35

decisions decisions dlwickham Nov 2012 #38

Yes. It's the caveman instinct. I'm convinced of that. JDPriestly Nov 2012 #14

Something about needing a quiet dark private space of one's own. Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #37

As a parent and a preschool teacher I have known this for a long time. Sadiedog Nov 2012 #4

How about extra-jumbo sized Lego blocks? randome Nov 2012 #7

Yes indeed! Sadiedog Nov 2012 #23

One of the highlights of my childhood was when The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2012 #6

They don't come in boxes anymore, do they? Washer /dryers use to have kid friendly boxes also. Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #10

I think some of them still do, and I know washers and dryers do The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2012 #16

ok. When Sears or whoever delivered my stuff, no box. maybe they left them in the truck. Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #17

when my mom got her new stove dlwickham Nov 2012 #29

We got one with a stove not long ago gollygee Nov 2012 #31

Something a grandparent just " knows " elfin Nov 2012 #11

Rolls of white butcher paper or just plain brown paper are great for art lunatica Nov 2012 #24

The other clever idea is to put all your pots and pans on lower shelves and take off the kiddie lock libdem4life Nov 2012 #12

My son loved to play with pots. Lugnut Nov 2012 #21

When I was little (early '40s) Christmas was always joyous. However after the hoopla was over I monmouth3 Nov 2012 #22

Kids make do with what they have if they're allowed to. Lugnut Nov 2012 #42

Oh yes, kids love pots and pans LeftishBrit Nov 2012 #27

is this a rare thing these days ? JI7 Nov 2012 #13

I think it's getting rare. Kids I know have starter netbooks at a very young age, electronic Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #15

My kids and their cousins condoleeza Nov 2012 #25

Toddlers often play with the boxes and wrapping paper, more than with the toys! LeftishBrit Nov 2012 #26

It's like my cat. He'll go for the crumbled piece of paper ... GodlessBiker Nov 2012 #30

Mine likes shoe laces and paper bags. He won't play with any store bought toys or Cleita Nov 2012 #33

Boxes and String/Shovels and Wood Moral Compass Nov 2012 #32

I loved boxes as a kid! struggle4progress Nov 2012 #34

How funny. I have a box that a lawnmower was in. My grandkids love it and play with southernyankeebelle Nov 2012 #36

How long has this guy been a preschool teacher, if this is a surprise to him? gkhouston Nov 2012 #39