Search Results: 'magnets'

Adapting with Curiosity: It’s Attitudinal, Not Generational

By Mike Sansone on October 10, 2012 in Blogging, Social Media with 6 Comments

Generation AttitudesThe crutch that is, “But these kids today, they grow up with this stuff,” still happens too frequently. Some are growing old leaning on this excuse.

Let me invite you back to your own past, to your toddler years. You probably played with every button and dial you could find.

Maybe it was that old Fisher-Price toy that spoke back to you in a, “Moooo” or a “Baa-a-a-a” sound. Or your dad’s 10-key adding machine that spit out paper if you hit the right buttons.

Or the television dial. Buttons on the car radio. Keys on the typewriter. Magnets on the fridge. Imagination plus imitation.

I’ve had people younger than I say they don’t get this stuff like the kids do. And when we ask the kids how they know this stuff, they shrug their shoulders.  They’re comfy with technology, not savvy. Get likewise.

The savvy will come when you adapt with curiosity.

“You can learn new things at any time in your life if you’re willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you.” – Barbara Sher

Happy (and Curious) Learning

photo credit: tasslehoff84 via photopin cc

Digital Natives or Combining Imagination and Imitation?

By Mike Sansone on October 8, 2011 in Brain Stew, Education with 0 Comments


As we sat around the kitchen table, her 2-year old started moving the magnets around on the refrigerator door. Audible sounds such as “doink” and “shwwsh” came with each move of a magnet.

“She thinks it’s an iPad,” mom looked in amazement. “These kids are so smart.”

I was amused by the child and bemused by mom.

“What did you think the magnets were when you were that age?” I asked.

Didn’t we all do that when we were kids?  Move the magnets, poke the buttons and dials on anything that wore such things? The Dishwasher?  The buttons on the car radio?

Kids poking and sliding things is a combination of imagination and imitation.

And isn’t that part of the genius of smartphones.  Slide. Poke. Even the thumb actions of a video game controller. Designed with simple in mind.

So next time you see the behaviors of a child, don’t knock your self down a notch – rather put on your creative hat and see what comes out of your observations.

Now, where did I put that silly putty . . . or maybe that stress cow I got at the last conference?

Photo on Flickr by M J M