The effects of media on children

Winner:

Today, there are many forms of media such as television and radio, which are called electronic media and the print media. There are both positive and negative impacts on society, especially the children. For instance, television can influence child to go either on the right path or the wrong way.

Many school children who come home after school, love to watch television, because they can unwind and get some form of entertainment after a busy, and sometimes boring time at school. Since it is evident that children opt for the television as it's the responsibility of the media to telecast good programmes suitable for children during such times. However, it's also the responsibility of children to be selective of the programmes they watch. They should not watch programmes which are not suitable for them, because there are many children's and educational programmes that are very important and useful for them, that they could watch instead.

In the print media too there are some articles which are more suitable for adults and children need not read them because they aren't essential for them.There are special sections or pages in newspapers as well as newspapers which are dedicated to children. They could read them to enhance their knowledge.

In order to develop the country, the younger generation should be always protected. Both school children and adults have the responsibility to select the positive things from the electronic and print media. Wrong type of exposure could entice the young mind to do many unacceptable things in society.

Praveenika Jayamaha,

Grade 10,

Newstead Girls' College,

Negombo.

A friend in need

Winner:

A friend in need is a friend indeed, it is said. A man who stands by his friend in adversity is indeed a true friend. Selfless love is the base of true friendship. True friends share each other's joy and sorrow, pain and pleasure. Prosperity makes friends, but adversity tries them. A selfless friend is a blessing while a selfish friend is a curse.

True friendship means great self-sacrifice on the part of both. A true friend is willing to forgo his pleasure and convenience to help his friend. He goes out of his way and even faces difficulties with joy and pride for his friend.A selfish friend is rich in words, but poor in deed. He'll talk much about being there for you, but when you are really in trouble, he will leave you in the lurch. You cannot depend on such a friend.

A friend in need however, is the medicine of life. He is a source of joy and inspiration. A friend in need is a true guide. He is always loyal and faithful. He is open and honest. If his friend is following the wrong path, he will frankly tell him that he should not do so.Anyone who has a true friend - a friend in need and adversity, is truly fortunate.

Roshani Kannangara,

Grade 9-A,Our Lady of Victories,Moratuwa.

Rithmina, my brother

My brother's name is Rithmina. He is three years old.

My brother likes to eat ice-cream, chocolates, toffees and jelly.He likes to draw pictures and colour them. But, he dosen't know how to draw some pictures, so I help him.

My brother hurts me a lot. But he also loves me a lot. He does some funny and crazy things when I tell him to do them.My brother is very naughty. I haven't seen a naughty but lovable child like him.

I love my little brother , very much.

Nethmina Fernando,

Grade 3 LEB,Alethea School, Dehiwala.

Football - my favourite sport

Winner:

My favourite sport is football. I love football because it is an interesting game.

Football is played by two teams until the referee blows the whistle to signal that the time period given to play the game has ended. The team which scores more than the other, wins.If both teams score equal points and the match is a draw, there is a penalty shoot. In football there is dribbling, tackling, scoring and more action.

My favourite team is Manchester United. My favourite players are Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Carlos Tevez. I have watched many matches played by Manchester United on television. They play with many other teams and win most of the time.

Whenever, I am free, I play football. I have improved many skills of tackling scoring and rippling. My favourite sport is football and it will always be!

Sumaiyah Faizal,

Madras Salafiya School,

Wellawatte.

What I would like to be...

Winner:

Out of the many careers in the world, the one that I like most is that of a scientist. So, in the future, I would like to become a scientist! There are several reasons for this. The first reason is that as a scientist I would be able to serve mankind. For example, I would be able to invent various important machines and also develop important theories that would be useful to people and the world.

The second reason is because the work involved would be very interesting and I would enjoy my work.

I know that I would have to spend long hours, perhaps even the whole day, doing experiments and developing new theories, but these scientific activities, especially conducting experiments, will bring great pleasure to me. The end results of my work would no doubt serve the world in some way, so, I fervently hope to become a scientist in the very near future.

Ruwimal Pathiraja,

Year 5,

Sri Budadatta Primary School,

Ambalangoda.

A bird's plea

Winner:

Have you heard about a bird called Edible-nest Swift? That is my name, and I can fly fast. I live in colonies. I make my nest with saliva, moss and feathers. I make it on cliffs and walls of railway tunnels.

My wife lays eggs in the nest and nestlings come out of them after some time. Heartless people break them, scatter our eggs and even kill our babies.Do you know why they break our nests? They sell these nests to countries like Thailand, China and the USA for lots of money. They are used as a special kind of food.Do you like anybody breaking your houses and killing your children? No, I guess not. So, please I beg of you, do not destroy us and our homes. Let us live happily!

Anil Iyantha Pandithakoralege,

Grade 4,

St. Peter's College,Colombo 4.