Brain drain

Summer brain drain: it’s almost as inevitable as death and taxes. Teachers dread it, resent it and preach against it. But like the IRS and the undertaker it pops up just when you thought you had a handle on life.

Researchers today blame the drain in part on electronic technology, i.e., television and video games. Thanks to the availability of hand held and home computer-based games, kids can hook up any time, any place – often to the point of addiction.

I’ve seen withdrawal symptoms in early fall: shaky hands, glazed eyes, cold sweats. It usually happens the first day of school when I say, “Write your name in the upper left-hand corner of your paper.” And then I wait.

I wait because I know their little brains are computing the fact that I am a real live person giving directions that they must follow. Action is required. It takes them a minute to remember that the classroom is not virtual – it’s literal.

OK, it’s not quite that bad, but it’s close. You’d be amazed.

But addiction consultants would not. They – and your great grandmother – have long known that alcohol, drugs, gambling and a few other habits can become addictive. So is it any surprise that computerized gaming has joined the ranks of compulsive behavior disorders?

Social scientists are making some serious discoveries about our technologically-dependent youth. Many game users don’t know how to interact with people face to face because their social networking takes place online, through a computer. They haven’t a clue about how to meet people. Why bother, when there’s Facebook, MySpace and Twitter?

So is technology a bad thing? Absolutely not. And with a little creative thinking, technology can help redeem the summer.

By definition technology is anything invented that makes human life easier.

The Encyclopedia Britannica says technology includes materials, techniques, and sources of power that make life more pleasant and work more productive. It helps make things happen, and has been influencing mankind since people began using tools.

Hmm. Tools. Can we say, “rake, shovel, lawnmower?” How about, “paint brush, garden hose and broom?”

Do your kids have chores? Responsibilities? Activities that require walking, running, pulling, pushing or sweating? How about lifting, climbing, hiking, riding and swimming? None of these can be done from the couch, unless of course, you consider lifting the TV remote a form of exercise.

Television has been around for about 50 years; computer games even less. Families have been here a lot longer. Your children need you more than they need the latest techno gadget.

Get your kids outside this summer. Go with them if you can. Tend a garden, ride bikes, help an elderly neighbor, go for a walk. And when it’s really hot outside, read a book. Read two. Go to the library and check out an adventure series.

This summer try to do at least one thing each week with your child that kids were doing 50 years ago. That excludes television, movies, computers, iPods and video games. Impossible? Not really.

I bet you’ll feel better for it. So will your kids’ brains.