As parents, most of us have fought the fight with our children because they are absorbed into a computer game or movie on an iPad, tablet or smartphone. We've had a better chance of having the eye of Tom Cruise walking the red carpet than our kids.
Today, it's common for two-year-olds to be using iPads, elementary schoolers hooked around video games, and all of us suffer (or live with) the process of prying your middle-schooler from the computer good enough to eat a significant meal...
Technology is everywhere and its draw on kids is obvious, but is technology helping our children learn?
Technology is becoming more social, adaptive, and customized, and consequently, it can be quite a fantastic teaching tool. That stated, as parents, we must establish boundaries.
Today, software is connecting kids to online learning communities, tracking kids'progress through lessons and games, and customizing each students'experience. By the full time your son or daughter is in elementary school, they'll probably well-versed in technology.
Learning with Technology at School
Schools are investing more and more in technology. Whether your child's class uses an interactive Smartboard, laptops, or another device, listed here are three methods to ensure that technology is employed effectively.
Small children love having fun with technology, from iPads to digital cameras. What do early childhood practitioners - and parents, too - need to take into account before handing kids these gadgets?
Let's start at the start: what is technology in early childhood?
Technology can be as simple as a camera, audio recorder, music player, TV, DVD player, or maybe more recent technology like iPads, tablets, and smartphones used in child care centers, classrooms, or at home.
More often than once, I've had teachers tell me, "I don't do technology." I ask them if they've ever taken a digital photo of their students, played an archive, tape, or DVD, or give kids headphones to be controlled by a story.
Teachers have always used technology. The difference is that now teachers are utilizing really powerful tools like iPads and iPhones inside their personal and professional lives.
Technology is a tool.
It shouldn't be used in classrooms or child care centers because it's cool, but because teachers may do activities that support the healthy development of children.
Teachers are utilizing cameras - a less flashy technology than iPads - in really creative methods to engage children in learning. That may be all they need.
At the same time frame, teachers need to manage to integrate technology in to the classroom or child care center as a cultural justice matter. We can't assume that all children have technology at home. A lack of exposure could widen the digital divide - that is, the gap between those with and without usage of digital technology - and limit some children's school readiness and early success.
Just like all children need to learn how to handle a guide in early literacy, they need to be taught how to make use of technology, including how to open it, how it works, and how to look after it. Experts worry that technology is harmful to children.
You can find serious concerns about children spending an excessive amount of time in front of screens, especially given the countless screens in children's lives.
Today, very young children are sitting in front of TVs, playing on iPads and iPhones, and watching their parents take photos on a digital camera, which includes a unique screen.
There was once only the TV screen.
Which was the screen we worried about and researched for 30 years.
We as a subject know a whole lot in regards to the impact of TV on children's behavior and learning, but we all know hardly any about all the newest digital devices.
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screen time for kids under couple of years old, nevertheless the NAEYC/Fred Rogers position statement requires a slightly different stance.
It says that technology and media ought to be limited, but what matters most is how it's used.
What is the information?
Could it be being used in an intentional manner? Could it be developmentally appropriate?
As parents, we want to be aware of the drawbacks of technology and its affect eyesight, vocabulary and physical development.
We also need to be cognizant of our children overall development, My advice to teachers and parents is to trust your instincts. You understand your son or daughter and if you think they've been watching the screen too long, transform it off.
It's around us, as parents, to notice your child's computer time is reducing or limiting interactions and playtime with other kids and nudge them in new directions. To cause them to become be physically active, to obtain outside and play.
It is also around the adult to comprehend the child's personality and disposition and to determine if a technology is one of the ways the little one chooses to communicate with the world.
At the same time frame, cut yourself some slack.
We all know that there are better things related to children's time than to plop them in front of a TV, but we also realize that child care providers have to produce lunch, and parents need time to have a shower. In situations like this, it's the adult's job to help make the technology time more valuable and interactive by asking questions and connecting a child's virtual experience on the screen with real-life experiences in her world.
Learning with Technology at Home
Whether you're giving your son or daughter your smart screen phone to entertain them, or it's your toddlers'preferred playtime is on an iPad or tablet, listed here are eight methods to ensure your child's experiences with technology are educational and fun.
Give attention to Active Engagement
Anytime your son or daughter is engaged with a screen, stop an application, or mute the commercials, and ask engaging questions. The thing that was that character thinking? Why did the main character do this? What would you've done because situation?
Allow for Repetition DVDs and YouTube videos add a vital ingredient for young minds which will be repetition. Let your child to watch the exact same video over and over, and ask him what he noticed after each viewing.
Ensure it is Tactile Unlike computers that require a mouse to govern objects on the screen, iPads, tablets and smartphones allow kids manipulate "physical" objects using their fingers.
Practice Problem Solving An emerging group of games will force your son or daughter to solve problems because they play, potentially building concentration and analytical skills in the process; even though jury remains out on this. There is no clinical data that supports the marketing message of app makers.
Encourage Creation Use technology for creation, not only entertainment. Have your son or daughter record a story on your own iPod, or sing a tune into your video game system. Then, create a completely new sound using the playback options, slow down and accelerate their voice and add different backgrounds and beats until they've created something uniquely theirs.
Show Him How exactly to Use It Many computer games have different levels and young children might not learn how to move up or change levels. If your son or daughter is stuck on a single level that's become too easy, ask if he knows how to maneuver up and help him if he wants more of a challenge.
Ask Why If your son or daughter is having an app or game the "wrong" way, always pressing the incorrect button, like, ask them why. It could be which they like hearing the noise the overall game makes when they obtain the question wrong, or they could be stuck and can't figure out which band of objects match number four.
Give attention to Play Young kids ought to be exploring and having fun with technology. This is highly recommended play, and not a focus on drilling skills.
Ask For Your Own Log-In Often, school programs feature a parent log-in that enables you to see your child's progress. If it doesn't, ask to see the reports a teacher has access to. Then, check his progress every few weeks. It's an effective way for you personally and your son or daughter to be for a passing fancy page about their progress.
Ask About Teacher Training Technology is usually implemented in classrooms without appropriate professional development. If your child's classroom is using a whole-class system, such as Clickers or an Interactive Smartboard, ask how it's used in class and what training the teacher has had. "As a parent, you want to know if teachers feel good trained and they're putting [new technologies] to good use.
Find Parent Resources One of the best methods
technology might help your son or daughter is by helping you learn more about learning. Computers, smartphones, and tablets aren't going away, but with several tweaks and consideration, you may make your child's technology-time productive, educational, and fun!
Let's be honest. Most children can work with a mouse, open and close apps, and even search the net by the full time they're three years old.
Once they've the cognitive ability, it's time to talk with your son or daughter about internet safety.
Set clear guidelines and internet safety rules in what types of media are acceptable and carefully support and monitor your child's technology use.
Tell your son or daughter to never share her name, address, or personal information online or on social media.
Speak with your son or daughter about what direction to go if he results in inappropriate content (close the screen and alert you), and ensure you have a top quality web filter and security system in place.