Playing Is More Important For Children Rather Than Studying

There are two main things that has become controversy about what should be begun in our children’s childhood; education or playing time. Some people think that children should begin their education as early in their lives as possible. They believe that education is the most important. Others think that children should spend most of their time playing. Since one can only be young once, and once a child goes to school he/she can never go back for the missing times as a child. Therefore, their early life should be filled with a happy playing time. Here I am going to give some points of view about both sides of opinion.

It is important that some basic logical and verbal skills be learnt as early as possible. The argument goes on to assert that skills such as basic calculus and foreign language are much more easily accepted by the children when they are very young. Moreover, if children start their education early, they can have more time to perfect their knowledge later during their lives. In other words, a child with a lot of  responsibilities is better prepared for life in the future. He or she knows how to organize the day also knows how to deal with some problems and as all becomes more independent.

In contrast to the previous opinion, playing is important to be included in children’s childhood. This opinion comes according to the fact that their whole life will be most probably filled with working and studying so they should at least have their childhood. Furthermore, physical skills, which are developed by playing, are just as important as intellectual one. Just because they are playing does not mean they are not learning. Children can still learn a lot  of things through educational toys such as building blocks, puzzles, colouring books. In this way, they can learn at their own pace without any pressure of getting good marks or striving to keep up with the achievements of their classmates.  When children are not forced to go to school at an early age, they can spend more time with their parents. In fact, it is often claimed that children do not need teachers other than parents since parents know them best and are most committed to teaching them.

A child’s social, mental, and emotional skills are developed to prepare him/her in his/her role as a member of the society once he goes to school. His social life starts to develop as interaction with children of his age. However, meeting new people and doing things he is not prepared can be traumatic with children. It can also be source of inferiority to children who can not cope with the demands of school. Children should begin their formal education when they are ready and should be allowed to study and learn at their own pace. The fears and phobias in adults do not come when they are old and grown-up but they come from our childhood and most started when children begin their formal education.

Humans are only young once. If we allow our children to begin their formal education at a very early age, we will deprive them of their youth. Once they are sent to school, the harsh reality of life is presented to them. Their innocence is lost as they begin to do things on their own, struggle to cope with the demands of their schoolwork and adapt with children of different personalities. It can be traumatic for them. That is why children should be allowed to spend their time playing and enjoy their life as long as  they can. 

With both sides presented, I agree that children should be allowed to spend their time playing while they are young because once we get into the real world, there is no turning back. I think that children should spend their early childhood the way they like best such as playing and having fun with friends. They can still learn while playing because learning does not only come from formal education. So, let the children enjoy their youth happily.

O Lieb (Liebestraum No.3) - Franz Liszt, Vocal and Piano in live concert.

Los Malaventurados No Lloran - PXNDX Acoustic Cover (Jogja Pump Party #4...

CONTRIBUTION OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC IN DEVELOPING CREATIVE IDEAS

Introduction

Music exists because the composition of sounds and non-sound contained therein was created, played, and heard or performed. Without all these three things: authors, musicians, and audience - the music did not exist. This point of view was available in various world cultures although not the only one. In general, a variety of serious music literature and the writings and coverage of popular music is based on the same concept. Bottom line: music exists because there were people who made them. It was Human who determined that the phenomenon of sounds produced, played, and heard the music or non-music.

If a person or group of people is creating and playing a composition of sounds, the sounds themselves are meaningless at all, worthless, except when the sounds were given charge of an agreed meaning as music by the perpetrators, means individuals, who are involved in the happening of this "musical". All participants in this musical event (the creator, the musician and the audiences) were interacting, and interaction patterns based on the order or system and cultural uniqueness that characterize their lives. The symbols which are represented through sound, or any complex idea and other musical parameters become an important requirement in this communication process. Either the success or failure of musical communication will depend on their agreement to the musical conventions that they understand. It shows that music have no intrinsic meaning, but the other way it was very potential to be given charge of any meaning.

In other hand, Art will live to be something because it was caused by human attitudes and feelings about it. It shows that the art of life in human, and appeared openly widened through the process of interaction among people. Therefore, the musical symbols have no meaning before it accepted by society, and then the process of dissemination of symbols that would be given charge of meaning that becomes very important. This process utilized by human as an effort to create and understand a culture or music and became known as the musical tradition.

Traditional Music as a contribution

Traditional Music is a cultural product that was born of intellect and creativity of the community owner. Music traditions contain cultural values as the refraction of the life and customs of society. It contains the reflection of life, where music was born and developed as long as it always occupy an important position, both as part of a custom which is often associated with religion or as part of the beauty of expression which refers to the aesthetic values. Music tradition is a manifestation of life that many of them are related to various aspects of community life as an example of music as part of the customs often involved in various ceremonies. As part of indigenous tradition, it reflects the pattern of life, where the propinquity of human and divine creator is often symbolized by a piece of music.

On the other hand, music can serve as unifying society. Some people were thought the music tradition has propinquity with the customary, there will arise a sense of unity in the community because they feel guided to be in a shade of culture. Seeing some related aspects, the existence of a musical is needed to support the mental and spiritual development of society owners. Music can be used as a vehicle for learning about the culture, where the values contained a reflection of the normative would order people's lives. Furthermore, the music serves as a term to teaching morals, norms, culture, and customs of a society associated with the music. In other words, music is a hallmark of life and culture of the community owner.

Consider music as a cultural product not only emphasize the function of the musical tradition as a beauty product, but more complex, namely as part of community life. Music was closely associated with some aspects of life’s community. For example, a piece of music as a depiction of religion, he would reflect a belief embraced by the community. Likewise, when music was considered part of customary, it will be more involved in some ceremonies in which contained the rules. It can be seen at the lyrics from some of songs which there are some moral and ethical teachings of life. Some aspects of this life will determine the continuity of the life of a musical tradition. It means, if some aspects of life have changed or lost and not run again, the art also will be changed or lost irreplaceable with other things that are considered appropriate and sufficient life’s community. Despite the fact that the music will continue to change in its development, but during the life of indigenous communities continued to exist, then the musical traditions will also stay in line with the existence of life and cultural traditions of the society. Therefore, traditional music is supposed to get attention to be preserved, especially in accordance with the times. Most people think conservation is to maintain the pristine and brought it to be introduced. In fact conservation is to learn to teach back to the next generation and develop it in line with the times. Studying the means to dig, identify, and make the design in depth description of everything contained in the musical tradition. It is intended that the original music that still can be understood correctly and can be lowered along with the cultural values inherent to the next generation.

There are two points that were worth to learn in the preservation of traditional music. First is the form of the music itself. That is like where the music is composed and how to play that music (interpretations). Second, is to see the relationship of music with people's life owner. Here we can see the relations between music and some aspects of community life, such as religion, tradition, even as the works that have a value of aesthetic beauty. By studying both, then the music will be maintained continuity and can be taught according to what their society aspired. Music tradition was born of course by looking at aspects of normative morality and religion, although most of the music associated with the old beliefs. Musical tradition should be viewed as a high cultural value and can be one of supporting the increase of development and we must maintain and preserve the music for the development of human life. This is the wisest for us to follow up. More importantly to note is the problem of development. Development of other fields (besides music tradition) has been done and the results are also felt enough to people's lives. Let's see again the development of traditional music, very little, and results can not be felt until now. Indeed the development of traditional music is an opportunity to support the development of regional tourism, likewise with other artistic development. Further development should also look at aspects of the supporters of the music itself, not to end up harming or blurred development aspects of life that supports the existence of art, which art slowly it will come slowly blurred and lost to civilization itself.

In this process there are two levels of communication occur, namely (1) relates to the idea (the idea) and (2) interaction where ideas were implemented. When the idea and its implementation are presented concretely in the activities, thereby the two regions play music also take place in real activity, namely (1) activities related to the musical aspects and (2) social activities. There is no one of musical activity idea that can take place successfully without any agreement, which refers to patterns of social interaction within a culture. Bargaining position of musical works and the process of social interaction becomes a dialectical arena is the emergence of meaning is an avenue or opportunity that very last to be exploited. It became the arena process that can be used for various purposes: for example, to introduce and promote inter-cultural musical culture; diverted it to other meanings according to the desired purposes, or, the most radical, let the process roll itself in the midst of perception conceptual (musical or social) are not necessarily synchronized with the source and origins.

In context of cultural pluralism in Indonesia, this gap is an opportunity to be utilized primarily to develop cross-cultural appreciation (cross-cultural) aspects of both musical and social aspects. Allowing this potential rolling itself in the midst of hundreds of tribes, each of which has a concept of musical cultures and different languages is not only a waste of potential that is very helpful to the interests of "establishment" culture, say in the context of the "Culture of Indonesia " who aspired to, but at the same time letting potential gap that was used for other purposes. In the music industry, gaps and opportunities that give the opportunity to manipulate the creation of meaning, whether based on situations and social conditions that develop or even in accordance with the wishes of a producer who exploited industrialist battle arena, even at the risk cost is not small. Various approaches made for music that offered products can enter into the arena of social interaction, especially for a product to be meaningful in the middle of the targeted audiences. This work was done in a way and in a very creative and sophisticated. Media that explores the public spaces to privacy private life become a very powerful tool to promote this goal. Finally it will leads to the formation of interest to look at production.

One of the way that can be observed strategically (this is more experienced by the musicians) is engineering the process of creation and the process of social interaction in the music industry are not allowed to take place naturally, such as the process of culture in earlier times, but directed and performed through the power of the media and high technology. The result is a radical situation, namely between the subject (creator) and objects (creation) in a musical culture to be separate. Meaning: the creators, musicians, and connoisseurs who is the subject that determines the musical culture and color the object is no longer a central role in the diving culture process. This role intervened is forced to obey the “orders” or “commercial targets” specified by the production system, which has the power of media to shape the social interaction in which musical products were marketed.

Conclusion

It is fact in history that the traditional music contributes greatly to nationalism and independence in various nation-states in the world. But the independence physically, physical decolonization, not accompanied by the freedom of mentality. Conversely inherited colonial mentality that proved more harm than benefit brings. In the context of the pluralism of Indonesian culture, heritage policy 20th century such as the example above should be stopped because, in addition to very harmful, as well irrelevant to the demands of the times. In the 21st century requires all nations, sources of inspiration that can enrich the imagination and creativity to give birth to works that are unique to offer and sharing in the world. Indonesia has the answer to that is cultural diversity and local values for is hidden behind the policies which gave no space for it. We called it “Bhineka Tunggal Ika”, known as our motto. Therefore, if the potential and the strength of traditional values were no longer turning it into energy, the image of a nation which is based on cultural diversity will becomes impossible. We must keep the spirit of Traditional Music in our heart.

Estonian Bread and Indonesian Bread (a comparison)

          Bread is a kind of food mostly made from flour and grain and can be found in almost all countries. However, you will find that bread in one country is different to another country. The virtually infinite combinations of different flours, and differing proportions of ingredients, has resulted in the wide variety of types, shapes, sizes, and textures available around the world. Here I am going to compare Estonian bread and Indonesian bread in 3 main points of comparison; types and ingredients, the use, and  how it is served.

Estonian most common bread is Rye Bread (often known as Black Bread). Rye bread is made with flour from rye grain of varying levels. It is higher in fiber than many common types of bread and is often darker in color and stronger in flavor. The types can be as flat-bread, yeas ted bread, and soda bread. Pure rye bread contains only rye flour, without any wheat. Rye and wheat flours are often used to produce a rye bread with a lighter texture, color and flavor. 'Light' or 'dark' rye flour can be used to make rye bread; the flour is classified according to the amount of bran left in the flour after milling. Caramel or molasses for coloring and caraway seeds are often added to rye bread. Some unique rye bread recipes include ground spices such as fennel, coriander, aniseed, cardamom, or citrus peel. In addition to caramel and molasses, ingredients such as coffee or cocoa (or even toasted bread crumbs) are sometimes used for both color and flavor in very dark breads. Rye bread contains a large amount of fiber and only a little fat. Rye bread does not create high spikes in blood sugar as white bread and other breads do. All-rye bread can be made using a sourdough starter and rye meal; it will not rise as high as a wheat bread, but will be more moist with a substantially longer keeping time.

In contrast to the Estonian bread, the most common Indonesian bread, as in influence from East Asian bread, is Wheat Bread which is lighter than Rye Bread. White bread is made from flour containing only the central core of the grain (endosperm) which makes it lighter. This Bread is usually made from a wheat-flour dough that is cultured with yeast, allowed to rise, and finally baked in an oven. Owing to its high levels of gluten (which give the dough sponginess and elasticity), common wheat (also known as bread wheat) is the most common grain used for the preparation of bread. Bread is also made from the flour of other wheat species (including durum, spelt and emmer). Not like Rye Bread which is a little bit salty and sour, Indonesian bread is more likely sweet and soft. Traditional Javanese bread, for example, filled with sweet enjoyment from cinnamon and Javanese red sugar, where the brown color comes from. The types can be as fresh bread, sweet yeast, sweet bun, crisp and bagel. Because it is more baked and steamed than fermented, it only can be kept in a short time.

Secondly, the use of bread in Estonia is as a staple food. Black rye bread accompanies almost every savory food in Estonia. Instead of wishing "bon appetit", Estonians are prone to say jätku leiba ("may your bread last"). Estonians continue to value their varieties of black rye-based bread. Estonia has not been a land of plenty. If a piece of bread was dropped on the floor, it was good form to pick it up, kiss it to show respect, and eat it. When Estonians live abroad, they often say that they miss black bread the most. So if we talk about Estonia, the bread can not be separated from it because it is very important for Estonian people.

While in Estonia bread is such an important food, Indonesian people make bread as dessert or snack and sometimes as appetizer. It is not used as a staple food, because Indonesian’s staple food is rice. Some Indonesian people (mostly for those who live in poverty) think that bread is an expensive food that they can not afford to buy. Sometimes but not often, Indonesian use bread as breakfast because they do not want to eat a heavy meals. But it is never used as lunch or dinner.

Black bread has had the noble position in Estonian cuisine through the history and most of the local people eat it daily with cheese,meat, potatoes and fresh vegetables. Many households in the towns and rural areas still bake the bread at home by themselves which takes days to make it. In the olden days, sensible Estonians did not serve their families warm bread, because it could happen that the week’s reserves would be eaten in just one day. Moreover, bread that had dried for a few days was supposed to be healthier. However, it is hard to imagine anything better than a warm piece of bread with butter. Estonian eating habits have historically been closely linked to the seasons. Traditionally in summer and spring, they like to eat bread with fresh berries, herbs, vegetables and everything else that comes straight from the garden also fish and meat. During the winter months, bread with jam, preserves and pickles are brought to the table with fruits like apples, Mandarin Oranges, and ginger bread.

In Indonesia, bread is served commonly with tea, chocolate jam, and butter or even only the bread itself. Even modern bread is sometimes wrapped in paper or plastic film or stored in a container such as a breadbox to reduce drying which can be found in Mall or Supermarket. Indonesian households rarely make bread themselves. The typical bread they may make themselves is crispy cake, often for certain events like Christmas or Idul Fitri and it is served for guests.

These are the differences between Estonian bread and Indonesian bread. As in the function as a staple food for Estonian, it has become very different in use and how it is served with Indonesian bread. When foreigners think of Indonesia, they don't think "bread", and bread is not what they can see all around. In contrast, when we talk about Estonian, we can not separate them with their bread.

The Other Effects of Smoking

       There are some other effects that come through smoking besides the broadly mentioned possibility of developing cancer or dying of the smokers. The effects of smoking cigarettes on human’s life are serious, like we have known already. But a threat to health doesn’t seem to be a good reason anymore for quitting smoking.  The smokers somehow block themselves and ignore all the information that is given to them even if we say the fact every year hundreds of thousands of people around the world die from diseases caused by smoking cigarettes. But it’s like not enough bad effects , smoking also gives bad effects to your appearance, financial, and also give  bad effects to others.

The first effect of cigarette smoking is reducing your appearance’s quality. Smokers usually have smelly hair, breath, clothes, and, they will make a smelly room if they smoke indoors. If someone smokes in a room, the stench of cigarette smoke will be very penetrating and hard to remove. Even if the person quits smoking the odor remains for a long time. It also stains the teeth yellow or sometimes even brown. Since this effect is long term, most people are not aware of it when they begin smoking. Yellow teeth are disgusting because they give an unhygienic image and make people look older. With the appearance like that, people commonly avoid smokers. Some certain occupation also do not accept a smoker-employee. The truth is that a cigarette stain is very hard to eliminate from the teeth, and it will probably end up costing a considerable amount of money.

The second effect of smoking is that it will eventually end up affecting the smoker’s financial. Depending on the country the prices of cigarettes can differ. But even at an affordable price the regular consumption of cigarettes will eventually take its economic cost. It affects their family’s finance and also the country’s economy. Smokers have to spend on amount of money to buy cigarettes which is unnecessary waste. Moreover, it also affects the country’s economy. Yearly, our country spends on a lot of money to reduce environment pollution caused from smoking cigarettes. A person addicted to smoking may use every way to get a cigarette each day even if they cannot buy food anymore because of the over-limit smoking’s cost.

The third effect is that smoking gives bad effects to others especially those who are non-smokers. Smoking cigarettes not only affects smokers but also affects people living around them. Actually, it also make non- smokers’ health get worse. When someone smokes cigarettes, the other people who do not smoke will feel choked on the smoke and cough. Therefore, people do not smoke but living together with smokers are threatened their health especially children. Adults get lung cancer, asthma and other diseases; children get pneumonia. Besides, non- smokers feel annoyed about the appearance of smokers. Smokers usually have typical signs such as yellow teeth, yellow fingers especially smelly clothes which make people living around them very annoyed. When I sit near smokers, I can’t bear bad smell from their body and I must keep away of them.

These are only three out of many other effects that cigarette smoking could have, but to any sensible person they are more than enough to realize that smoking is bad. People can’t possibly be proud of calling themselves smokers. It is terrible for health as well as personal appearance. In the end, those who live in poverty, stink of smoke, and have yellow teeth are the people who are affected the most by this life threatening activity. I hope that if you are smoking, it is always better to stop. If you don’t smoke, then do not start. You will be glad you didn’t.