Europe Youth Education

The history of Hemp and it usage dates back to the Stone Age of man as hemp impressions are found in China and Taiwan which are assumed to be over 10,000 years old. These medieval Asian people used this very fiber to make their household items including clothes, shoes, ropes and even paper. The Chinese are credited for the introduction of paper to the world and that very first paper that was manufactured comprised of hemp.

Till the 14th century hemp was the most common material that was used for clothing. Hemp clothes were particularly popular in lower classes of European countries. Every small town in Europe in Dark Age had an access to a heap field. Moreover, hemp clothes were also used as war clothes. The conventional European hemp was not used as a drug because of its low addiction and narcotic content. Despite this fact, it was still cultivated in huge amounts because of its fiber content and traditions prove that it was even used by Christopher Columbus for tying ropes on his ship.

The Spanish are accredited for introducing hemp to the American content as they started the cultivation of hemp in Chile in 1545.The cultivation spread and this new, useful crop got recognition as in May,1607 famous historian Gabriel Archer reported to see hemp cultivation in Powhatan village where Richmond, Virginia at present day stands. Another historian Samuel Argall also claimed this widespread cultivation of hemp which was better than the European version in Upper Potomac. In 1619, an official act of cultivating “Indian and English” hemp was passed by the government of Virginia State. The Puritans are the first known cultivators of hemp in New England. Famous American President George Washington and Thomas Jefferson cultivated hemp on their farms. Another father of the nation, Benjamin Franklin started the first American paper mill, which exclusively used paper as its raw resource.

The era of Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Revolution increased the consumption and production of hemp as it was a main source of military uniforms. The basic reason that hemp was preferred over flax was its added strength, durability and lower cost. These factors override the coarse texture of hemp. United States during the Second World War extensively used hemp as it was used for manufacturing uniforms, ropes and canvas. At that time, Kentucky and Midwest were the major suppliers of hemp. Hemp has contributed greatly to Kentucky’s economy and a large area of Kentucky even today is dedicated for hemp plantation and cultivation.

The hemp market was severely affected at the start of twentieth century as it saw the invention of steam and diesel engine which barricaded the way of sea transportation. As sea transportation was halted, the demand for rope drastically declined. Invention of artificial fibers and synthetic fibers also bought a decline in the demand.

Nowadays, the production of hemp is legally permitted but on a smaller scale because of the discovery of its narcotics effect. The U.S Government permitted a widespread growth of hemp during the Second World War to counter the production of Manila hemp which was grown in Japanese colonies at that time. An American even produced a film on hemp which showed how increased production of hemp led to American victory in World War Two.

Soviet Union before its breakup was the world’s largest producer of hemp during a period that started after the Second World War and ended at its break up. The main production areas of Soviet Union were Ukraine, Krusk and Orel regions. Ukraine has the honor of developing new hemp varieties. The experiments for new varieties of hemp were based on improving fiber quality, per hectare yield and decreasing the THC content.

Most industrialized and developed nations of the world such as Australia, China, Great Britain, Russia, France and Spain are the chief producers of industrial hemp. The only exception is the United States as certain laws don’t allow the production of hemp. France is the leading producer of hemp in Europe with 8,000 hectares reserved for hemp cultivation. Canada and United Kingdom are the two other competitors in line who resumed their production in the 1990′s. In Asia, China is the leading supplier followed by Philippines and Japan. As far as United States is concerned, the production of hemp is banned but some states such as North Dakota, Hawaii, Kentucky, Montana, Maryland, Maine and West Virginia have resisted federal laws and are cultivating industrial hemp.

It maybe child’s play, but you’d be amazed at what children can learn through games. Watch children playing board games with each other, running a three legged race or playing football – they’re not only having fun but also learning cooperation, teamwork, role clarity, strategy and tactics.

Not only is there is a wealth of supporting research, but there are also a growing number of educational advocates who emphasise that the most productive way of learning is through fun and hands-on experience and that game playing provides the perfect tool.

Here is a just a sample of the prestigious support behind the educational benefits of games playing:

According to the head of Ofsted, children who play traditional board games at home do better at school. He said the games help children to think for themselves, to wait their turn and to hold a conversation with adults. And he expressed a concern that computer games and television can discourage children from activities that better stimulate their imagination.

Stephen Twigg, Education minister, said that play is vitally important to education.

The National Union of Teachers conference produced a statement saying that children, in particular, learn through play and they want everyone to spend more time playing, as a “crucial” lifelong learning tool.

The National Foundation for Educational Research concluded that children should have more access to “play-based” learning.

John Dewey, the founder of modern educational theories, wrote in Democracy and Education ” experience has shown that when children have a chance at physical activities which bring their natural impulses into play, going to school is a joy, management is less of a burden and learning is easier”

Even the venerable Plato said “Not by force shall the youth learn, but through play.”

Learning through play is the idea behind MindLab, an after school education programme that teaches children thinking and social skills through playing board games from around the world. The positive impact of MindLab on children’s development is supported by prestigious research which shows that children who follow a MindLab curriculum demonstrate a substantial and lasting improvement in strategic reasoning and problem solving skills as well as standardised maths and verbal reasoning tests.

Assuming you are now convinced of the educational benefits of game playing, you may next be asking, what do I do to reap the benefits of game playing with my own children?

Here are 8 steps to help you bring the many benefits of game playing to your own family to produce brighter children and a happier home life.

1. Buy or dust off some games that are old favourites. Games like draughts, dominoes, connect four and card games, are not only terrific fun but they are also stimulating, challenging and involve concentration and strategy.

2. Chose an convenient slot in your weekly family pattern that is an ideal time for your family to sit down together and play a few games, such as a Friday evening or a Sunday afternoon, for example.

3. Add some elements to help “game time” become a family tradition: add favourite foods (bowls of popcorn or hot chocolate perhaps?) a comfy warm setting (in front of a roaring fire?), invite grandparents etc.

4. Start with games that a suited to the youngest age group present, or have a few games going at the same time that fit the various age ranges. Make sure everyone understands the rules and aims of the game being played and give everyone the benefit of examples of good moves and strategies by illustrating them on the game board before beginning the “real” game”.

5. Explain that to enjoy playing games we all have to play by the rules, respect our partners and respect the outcome of the game. Regardless if we win or lose, to have fun playing games together we can’t gloat when we win, and can’t get upset when we lose. If we play lots of games together, there will be lots of chances for each of us to win sometimes, and lose sometimes. Either way we will have had a fun time playing together.

6. Show your own interest and enthusiasm for the game, give it concentration and effort, both for your own enjoyment, and also as a role model for your children. Rather than play ineffectively to ensure your child wins, instead, help your child learn from your game playing skills. Discuss out loud the moves you are making and why, to help your child understand the strategies you are using. If your child makes a move that is to their disadvantage, encourage them to look again and guide them to see a better move by asking them open questions such as “what are all the different options you have?” “What would happen if you take that move?” “What might be a better move that you can take?” I can see a way that you can win, can you see it?”

7. Whether your child wins or loses, at the end of the game summarise what you learnt from the game and then ask your child “what did you learn from that game?” “What might you do differently next time we play?”

8. Keep the “game time” fresh by bringing in new games. Surprise everyone by giving the family a new game “present” every few weeks. Games that can be played within an hour and involve thinking, memory, strategy or calculation are recommended such as: Othello, Guess Who, Mancala, Nine Man Morris, Scrabble, Chinese Chequers or Rush Hour.