Walkman was a revolutionary device in its time, providing people with the ability to carry their music with them wherever they went. But with the advent of smartphones, it has become an artifact of the past.

So, what happens when kids encounter a Walkman for the first time?.

Expectations vs Reality

For most kids, the only portable music devices they have ever encountered are smartphones, iPods, or Bluetooth speakers. As a result, a Walkman might seem like an alien device to them.

A common expectation for them would be that it would be a highly advanced device with a lot of features just like their smartphones. But the reality is always different. When they encounter an original Sony Walkman, they are in for a surprise.

Confusion

At first sight, kids can be both confused and fascinated by the Walkman. They might not understand how it works or what to do with it when presented with one.

Its small black tape cassette might also confuse them as they associate listening to music with digitally stored music.

Curiosity

After their initial confusion, kids become curious. They might ask questions like, “how does it work?” or “what type of music is stored inside?”. Their curious nature leads them to examine the device which would be new to them.

Physical Examination

Most kids would begin to inspect the Walkman just like it is a scientific specimen. They would find it amazing that music can come from something so small and compact.

You might find them examining the buttons, the headphones, and even the cassette compartment.

Trying to Play Music

One of the key features of a Walkman is the ability to play music. For kids, it might not be so apparent how to even get started. They might try inserting the wrong end of the headphone jack or simply forget to press the “play” button.

It could be frustrating for them at first, but it can be a fun learning experience for them.

Amazement

Once a kid has figured out how to play music on the Walkman, they are always amazed by the sound quality. For most, it will be the first time they have listened to music through a cassette player.

They would find the audio quality surprisingly good, even better than what they are used to from their digital music players.

Learning About The Past

If you hand a Walkman over to kids under the age of 15, they would not have seen such a physical device before. It is a great opportunity to teach the young ones about how things were in the past.

They can learn about cassette tapes, how they were stored, and how they needed to be rewound or fast-forwarded to reach a specific song.

Experimentation

Once kids have figured out how to use the Walkman, they are free to experiment. They can try talking into the microphone and listen to the result. They can record their own voices and even add background music.

It is endless fun, all while learning about the workings of an older device.

Conclusion

In modern times, we are surrounded by advanced technology that our kids are accustomed to. But, introducing them to a Walkman can provide them with different experience.

It not only helps our children learn more about the past, but it also provides them with an opportunity to explore and experiment attributes of an older device. It’s an excellent learning experience!.