subject: Having Fun and Keeping Well [print this page] It's a long time since I was a child, however I do still experience erratic recollections of instances, events, circumstances, even inanimate objects that have left a lasting impression upon me completely irrespective of their lack of any obvious relevance to me today.
I was far more sensitive to colours, such as the look and "feel" of an opposing team's shirt and shorts when my father would take me to watch my local football team. When one of our side's defenders first strolled onto the pitch wearing a pair of bright red boots it was an occurance of major significance. Even a new and different haircut was clocked and recorded for later discussion at school.
At the age of around four I could actually identify every model of car on the road. It is true there were less around in those days, and that they were more varied and interesting to behold, but every shape, each variety of metallic name plate and trapping was logged in the extraordinary filing cabinet in my mind.
I cannot say whether I was a typical kid - I doubt it somehow - but it is an accepted truth that a child perceives shapes, textures, sizes, hues and so on in a much different and in most respects less familiar and superficial way than an adult does.
Children also, of course, have a much shorter concentration span. This is why a story needs to begin, happen and end within a matter of a few minutes if the level of attention is to be maintained. Large letters, bright pictures and distinct boundaries between sequential events is very important.
When a child is unwell and absent from school the boredom threshold is very easily reached. The poorly child has a particular need for games and fun, and this can be a time when a dedicated product can be so very beneficial. Providers of these specialist products know how the child who is out of sorts longs for simple tools and distractions that fire the imagination and keep boredom and monotony at bay.
Having ready access to some interesting and imaginative short stories is also useful when dealing with such a scenario. It is just as important that they are short as it is that they are interesting.
In my day it was books or a ball, today there is an impressive array of resources available online, and interactive games to boot.
