As parents, we have all fought the battle with our children while they are absorbed in a video game or movie on an iPad, tablet or smartphone. We’ve had a better chance of getting Tom Cruise’s attention walking the red carpet than our kids.
Today, it’s common for two-year-olds to use iPads, elementary school students to video games, and we all suffer (or live with) the challenge of taking your child away from the computer long enough to eat a good meal. . meal …
Technology is everywhere and its appeal to children is obvious, but is technology helping our children learn?
Technology is becoming more social, adaptive, and personalized, and as a result, it can be a fantastic teaching tool. That said, as parents, we must set limits.
Today, the software connects children with online learning communities, tracks children’s progress through lessons and games, and personalizes each student’s experience.
By the time your child is in elementary school, he will probably be 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 smart board, laptops, or another device, here are three ways to make sure technology is used effectively.
Young children love to play with technology, from iPads to digital cameras. What should early childhood professionals, and also parents, think about before giving these devices to children?
Let’s start at the beginning: what is technology in early childhood?
The technology can be as simple as a camera, audio recorder, music player, TV, DVD player, or newer technology like iPads, tablets, and smartphones used in child care centers, classrooms, or at home.
More than once, I’ve had teachers tell me, “I don’t do tech.” I ask them if they have ever taken a digital photo of their students, played a record, a tape or a DVD, or given the children headphones to listen to a story.
Teachers have always used technology. The difference is that now teachers are using really powerful tools like iPads and iPhones in their personal and professional lives.
Technology is just a tool.
It should not be used in classrooms or child care centers because it is great, but because teachers can do activities that support the healthy development of children.
Teachers are using digital cameras, a less flashy technology than iPads, in really creative ways to engage children in learning. It may be all you need.
At the same time, teachers must be able to integrate technology into the classroom or child care center as a matter of social justice.
We cannot assume that all children have technology at home.
Lack of exposure could widen the digital divide – that is, the gap between those with and without access to digital technology – and limit school readiness and early success for some children.
Just as all children need to learn to handle a book in early literacy, they need to be taught how to use technology, including how to open it, how it works, and how to care for it.
Experts worry that technology is bad for kids.
There is great concern that children spend too much time in front of screens, especially given the many screens in children’s lives.
Today, very young children are sitting in front of televisions, playing with iPads and iPhones, and watching their parents take photos on a digital camera, which has its own screen.
There used to be only the TV screen.
That was the screen we were concerned about and we investigated for 30 years.
We as a field know a lot about the impact of television on children’s behavior and learning, but we know very little about all new digital devices.
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screen time for children under the age of two, but the NAEYC / Fred Rogers position statement takes a slightly different stance.
He says that technology and means should be limited, but what matters most is how they are used.
What is the content?
Is it being used on purpose?
Is it developmentally appropriate?
As parents, we must be aware of the downsides of technology and its impact on sight, vocabulary, and physical development. We must also be aware of the general development of our children,
My advice to teachers and parents is to trust your instincts. Get to know your child and if you think he’s been staring at the screen too long, turn it off.
It is up to us as parents to realize that your child’s computer time is reducing or limiting interactions and playtime with other children and to push them in new directions. Encourage them to be physically active, to go out and play.
It is also up to the adult to understand the personality and disposition of the child and to discover if a technology is one of the ways in which the child chooses to interact with the world.
At the same time, let yourself go.
We all know that there are better things to do with children’s time than dropping them in front of the TV, but we also know that child care providers have to pack lunch and parents need time to shower.
In situations like that, the adult’s job is to make technology time more valuable and interactive by asking questions and connecting a child’s virtual experience on the screen with real-life experiences in their world.
Learning with technology at home
Whether you’re giving your child their smart screen phone for entertainment, or your toddlers’ favorite playtime is on an iPad or tablet, here are eight ways to ensure your child’s experiences with the technology are educational and fun.
Focus on active participation
Every time your child is involved with a screen, stop a show or silence the commercials and ask interesting questions. What was that character thinking? Why did the main character do that? What would you have done in that situation?
Allow Repetition DVDs and YouTube videos add an essential ingredient for young minds, which is replay. Let your toddler watch the same video over and over and ask him what he noticed after each viewing.
Make it tactile Unlike computers that require a mouse to manipulate objects on the screen, iPads, tablets, and smartphones allow children to manipulate “physical” objects with their fingers.
Practice problem solving An emerging category of games will force your child to solve problems while playing, potentially developing concentration and analytical skills in the process; although the jury is still out on this. There is no clinical data to support the marketing message of the app makers.
Encourage creation Use technology for creation, not just for entertainment. Have your child record a story on his iPod or sing a song on his video game system. Then create a whole new sound using the play options, slow down and speed up your voice, and add different backgrounds and beats until they’ve created something uniquely yours.
Show him how to use it. Many computer games have different levels and young children may not know how to level up or change levels. If your child is stuck on a level that has gotten too easy, ask him if he knows how to move forward and help him if he wants a bigger challenge.
Ask why If your child is using an app or game the “wrong” way, always pressing the wrong button, for example, ask why. They may like to hear the noise the game makes when they get the question wrong, or they may be stuck and can’t figure out which group of objects matches the number four.
Focus on play Young children need to explore and play with technology. This should be considered a game and not a focus on drilling skills.
Request your own login School programs often come with a parent login that will allow you to see your child’s progress. If not, ask to see the reports a teacher has access to. Then check your progress every few weeks. It’s a great way for you and your child to stay in tune with their progress.
Ask About Teacher Training Technology is often implemented in classrooms without adequate professional development. If your child’s classroom uses a whole-class system, such as Clickers or an interactive Smartboard, ask how it is used in class and what training the teacher has had. “As a parent, you want to know if teachers feel well trained and are putting [new technologies] for good use.
Find resources for parents One of the best ways that technology can help your child is by helping him learn more about learning.
Computers, smartphones, and tablets won’t go away, but with a few adjustments and consideration, you can make your child’s tech time productive, educational, and fun!
Let’s be honest. Most children can use a mouse, open and close applications, and even search the Internet by the time they are three years old.
Once they have the cognitive ability, it is time to talk to your child about Internet safety.
Establish clear guidelines and Internet safety rules about what types of media are acceptable, and carefully support and monitor your child’s use of technology.
Tell your child never to share his name, address, or personal information online or on social media.
Talk to your child about what to do if they find inappropriate content (close the screen and advise) and make sure you have a high-quality web filter and security system in place.
Wrapping it up
Help your child understand that technology is just one of many learning tools. Download educational games, read books, and do research. When your child asks a question, do an Internet search to find the answer.
Before you hit the off button, consider ways you can maximize your child’s tech time at home and at school.