As parents, many of us have to keep up with our children when they’re absorbed in the latest video game or film on tablets, iPads or smartphones. We’ve had a higher chance to catch the interest in Tom Cruise walking the red carpet than our children.
Nowadays, it’s normal for toddlers to use tablets, elementary school students are connected to video games and we all have to deal with (or endure) the difficulty of dragging your middle schooler from their computer for long enough to have an adequate meal…
Technology is everywhere, and its impact on children is evident, but can technology help our children learn?
Technology is growing more social, flexible and personalised in this way, and as a result it is an effective tool to teach children. As parents, it is our responsibility to set the boundaries.
Today, software connects children with online communities for learning, analyzing kids’ progress in the lessons, games and exercises, as well as personalizing the experience for each student.
If your child is in primary school, they’ll likely be proficient in the field of technology.
Learning with Technology at School
The schools are investing more into technology. No matter if your child’s class is using an interactive Smartboard or laptops, or any other gadget Here are three methods to ensure that technology is being used efficiently.
Children love playing with technology such as iPads and digital cameras. What do early childhood professionals and their parents have to consider before giving kids these toys?
What is Technology in Early Childhood?
Technology could be as basic as a camera, an audio recording device, music player DVD player, TV or more advanced technology such as tablets, iPads, and smartphones, which are utilized in the classroom, in child care centers and at the home.
Many times, I’ve heard teachers say to me “I don’t use technology.” I ask them if they’ve captured a digital image of their students, or played the recorder, tape dvd, given students headphones to hear an audiobook.
Teachers have always employed technology. However, today teachers are making use of effective tools like the iPad or iPhones in their professional and personal lives.
Technology is Just a Tool
It shouldn’t be utilized in schools or child care centers simply because its cool, however, teachers are able to do activities that promote the healthy development of children.
Teachers are making use of digital cameras – a more subtle technology than iPads – to create innovative ways to engage children in their learning. It could be all they require.
However, teachers should be able to incorporate technology into their classrooms or the child care center as an issue of social justice.
We shouldn’t presume that all children have access to technology at home.
Lack of exposure to technology could increase the digital divide – which is the difference between people with and those without access to technology that is digital – and hinder certain children’s readiness for school and early achievement.
As all children have to master handling books in the early years of literacy, they must also learn how to utilize technology, which includes opening it, how to use it and how to care for it.
It is a serious concern over children who spend all day on screens, particularly given the numerous screens that children have in their lives.
These days, children of all ages are glued to televisions, playing on iPads and iPhones as well as watching their parents shoot pictures with digital cameras with their own display.
As a profession, we have a lot of knowledge about the effects of television on children’s behavior as well as their learning. However, we have no knowledge of the latest digital gadgets.
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screen time for children less than two years old. However, the position statement of the NAEYC/Fred Rodgers adopts a different position.
It states that technology and media shouldn’t be restricted. However, what’s most important is how they are used.
What is the content?
Parents, we must remain aware of disadvantages of technology and their impact on the eyesight, vocabulary and the physical progress of our children. Also, we must be aware of the child’s overall development.
My advice for parents and teachers is to trust your gut. You are the parent of your child, and if you feel they’ve been on the screen for too long, shut it down.
It is our responsibility as parents to recognize the extent to which your child’s use of computers reduces or limits interaction and play time with other kids . We can also push them to take a new direction. To motivate children to exercise outdoors and to play.
It’s also the responsibility of adults to be aware of the child’s personality and temperament and figure out the extent to which technology is among the methods that the child prefers to communicate in the real world. However, take a break.
We all know there are more important ways to spend children’s time, other than plopping them on the couch in front of a television and watching them snooze. However, we also know that children’s caregivers must prepare meals, and parents must take the time to shower.
In such situations it is the adult’s responsibility to make the technology experience more enjoyable and engaging with questions. This can be done by linking children’s experiences through the screen to real-life experience in the real world.
Learning with Technology at Home
If you’re giving your child a smart screen phone to keep them entertained or your toddler’s favorite time to play on the iPad or tablet Here are eight strategies to ensure your child’s experiences using technology are both educational and enjoyable.
Focus on Active Engagement
When your child is on the screen, stop the program, or block the commercials and ask interesting questions. What was the character thinking? What was the reason why the main character made that decision? What would you do in the same scenario?
Let your child enjoy Repetition YouTube and DVDs are a vital ingredient for young minds that is repetition. Allow your child to watch the same video repeatedly and over, then inquire about what he observed after each time.
Create it tactile. Unlike computers that require a mouse in order to manipulate objects on screens, tablets, iPads, and smartphones allow children to manipulate “physical” objects using their fingers.
Practice Problem Solving A new type of game that requires your child to tackle issues while playing, possibly enhancing the ability to focus and analyze while doing it, but the jury is not yet in the sand on this. There isn’t any evidence from clinical studies to support the marketing claims of app developers.
Encourage Creativity Use technology to create not just for entertainment. Let your child create an audio story using your iPod, or record an original song on your gaming system. Create a completely unique sound with playback options to slow down or increase the speed of their voice, and mix in different background music and beats until they’ve created something that is unique to their own.
Learn to Use The Game Many games on computers have different levels . Young youngsters may not be able to advance or switch levels. In case your child has become stuck at a level that’s been too easy, ask him if you can help him climb up the levels and support the child if he’s in need of a more challenging experience.
Ask Why Your Child uses an app or game in the “wrong” method, consistently pressing the wrong button, as an example you can ask the reason. It could be because they are enthralled by the noise that the game creates when they are unable to answer the answer wrong or they may be confused and aren’t able to determine which of the objects corresponds to number 4.
The focus should be on play. Young children should be playing and exploring with technology. It should be considered play instead of focusing on learning techniques.
Request Your own Log-In. Typically, schools have the option of a parent login that will let you see your child’s development. If not, you can ask to view the reports the teacher can access. Check the progress of your child every couple of weeks. It’s a great opportunity for both of you to be on the same page regarding the progress they’ve made.
Ask About Teacher Training Technology is frequently used in schools without proper professional development. If your child’s school has a whole-class computer that includes Clickers, for instance, as well as an Interactive Smartboard, ask how they are used in class and what kind of training the teacher received. “As a parent you’ll want to know whether the teachers are trained and are putting new technology in a positive way.
- Locate Parent Resources One of the greatest ways technologies can benefit your child is through helping you gain knowledge about education.
- Smartphones, computers and tablets will not go away However, with a few adjustments and thought it is possible to help your child’s tech-related time be productive as well as educational and enjoyable!
- A majority of kids can utilize a mouse, use apps to open and close and search on the internet before they turn three.
- Once they’ve developed the mental ability, it’s the time to speak and educate your children about the safety of internet use.
- Establish clear guidelines and security rules regarding what kinds and media can be used. Also, closely monitor your child’s use of technology.
- Inform your child not to give out her address, name or other personal information online or through social media.
- Discuss with your child what you should do if you see inappropriate content (close the browser and inform you) Also, make sure that you have a top-quality website filtering and security in place.
Conclusion
Let your child know that technology is only one tool in a long list of tools to learn. Download educational games Read books, or do studies. If your child has questions you can conduct an Internet search to locate the answer.
Before you hit the switch to turn off your device, think about the ways to make the most of your child’s time with technology at home as well as at school.