kids and technology

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creativity and imagination can be fostered in more ways than just letting the kids loose in the backyard with a box of sticks and a bag of rocks. times are changing- sure, we all yearn for how it was when we were kids but that doesn’t mean we should consider the ways and means of raising kids nowadays as being lesser than what used to be. technology has its place in a child’s world as sure as the rocks and sticks do - and if both bring a sense of play, fun, achievement and learning to the child in question, why not? who is to say the kid who scores high on a computer game doesn’t feel just as proud as one who builds a fort in the backyard? they’re both developing different skill sets but neither is lesser than the other.

discuss.

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Re: kids and technology

I had actually typed out a thead about this but deleted as I didn't want to 'upset' people.

A high score on a video game is an acheivement, however not at the price of that said video game destroying an imagination.

I can only see it from a teachers point of view and it kills me when my kids play COD instead of dragons and pirates in the playground.

I find myself competing with 3D and DSi and it can't be done. I try my best to engage and motivate via audio/video clips to inspire writing but nothing works with some children, especially boys. I know that boys are reluctant readers and writers anyway, but honestly its getting worse.

I recently bought in Buzz Lightyear into the classroom to try and engage them and it worked so a certain degree and then they got bored. He doesn't kill people, he's not 3D, he doesn't have 10 monsters that come out of a watch.

At times I do blame the restrictions of the National Curriculum, I would love to have an outdoor classroom where we explore all day long, but I can't. We have to have 30 Level 1A children by the end of the year and thats all about writing sentences and adding numbers to 20. :/

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Re: kids and technology

I also want to add that younger children, toddlers, don't even need toys, every day household objects are enough, obviously safe ones, don't give them the cheese grater! Why do 3, 4, 5 year olds needs iPads and iTouch?

Whatever happened to those Vtech toys? They were pretty educational.

Lego, all kids love lego and the possibilities are endless! I don't actually think much of the themed lego though...why cant they make their own blue, red and yellow Harry Potter?

Also, playdough helps fine and gross motor skills, holding an iPad or a console controller does not help with pencil grip.

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Re: kids and technology

Oh and another point (I is defo on a roll today!), all of my kids have PERFECT mouse control when using a pc, yet nada and I mean NOTHING when it comes to using the keyboard.

I have to teach them how to use Microsoft Word next term and im defo not looking forward to it.

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Re: kids and technology

I agree with Milly.

These high tech video games and those fast paced videos on tv warp the creativity of the kids. And by creativity, I mean doing interesting stuff away from TV or the PC.

I remember we used to play lego, all sorts of board games as well as random hideouts, secret societies with their meetings and badges etc. Creative stuff included holding some sort of an art competition or making cards and then having an exhibition.

the kids these days just have their playtime confined to being glued to either their TV screen watching some cartoons or playing video games.

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We had a PC, a NES console, and a Sega mega drive thing, and it was never ever used as a reward or a treat, but honestly, after a couple of weeks the novelty wore off and we were back in the garden, up the apple tree or making chutney out of leaves that was going to cure the world!

Family time was playing Scrabble, Game of Life, Steps to Paradise or Ludo. My cousins family time is Wii bowling...

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great thread, sgc. been thinking about this stuff too. my gut feeling is, if its the fast instant gratification kind of things, it is likely doing more harm than good - not quite enough engagement. but again, i don't have anything concrete to say this is true.

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I can't be bothered to go into this subject deeply but being very much a computer/technology/gaming geek I feel I have a deep enough insight into the pro's and con's of these new mediums to know that I do not want my children indulging in them at an early age.

And no, I don't feel they develop a different skill sets. They take what is already there and build on it.

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Re: kids and technology

I don't know how many of you have played The Legend of Zelda games (generally thought as of the best adventure game series). The creator (who also created Mario) drew on his real life experiences:

With The Legend of Zelda, Miyamoto sought to make an in-game world that players would identify, a "miniature garden that they can put inside their drawer." He drew his inspiration from his experiences as a boy around Kyoto, where he explored nearby fields, woods, and caves; each Zelda title embodies this sense of exploration. "When I was a child," Miyamoto said, "I went hiking and found a lake. It was quite a surprise for me to stumble upon it. When I traveled around the country without a map, trying to find my way, stumbling on amazing things as I went, I realized how it felt to go on an adventure like this." He recreated his memories of becoming lost amid the maze of sliding doors in his family home in Zelda's labyrinthine dungeons.

And some of the best games of recent times would be nothing if the designers weren't so well read in history and literature.

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I try to keep Jr. away from TV, ipad, ipod, PS3 because I have seen first hand kids who have been raised by TV. They are zombies, they just don't listen when you are having a conversation with them.

Technology is great but it takes away from you the element of human interaction, my husband's nieces are a prime example of this, they can sit for hours at an end watching TV, or playing on the computer but can't interact normally with others. And another kid I have observed who is 3 years old, dad is a techie, this kid can manage the ipod or rather ipad beautifully but talk about skills with other kids and this kid is a total failure.

My best memories are of us playing scrabble as a family, monopoly (although abbu didn't approve he didn't want us to get money minded but I don't agree with him on this). And not to mention that playing hopskotch, jumping rope, playing hide and seek also provides physical movement for kids... and that is really really really important.

My hubby also grew up watching TV and more specifically movies. Was not a whole lot into games or reading and his imagination and mine are vastly different. I was into reading books, and puzzles I wish my parents had put more emphasis on physical games as well... I feel not being active in physical games left me at a disadvantage as a kid.

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Physical movement is SO important for young children, especially when learning. I take my kids out from 10.00-10.15 everyday come rain or shine for some physical exercise, they dont always like it, but get so much more learning done once back in the classroom.

At the beginning of every year I always spend a lot of time teaching them playground games, and I usually find that by Novemeber some of them make up their own games by adapting the ones I have taught them. The Mr. Men game is always a winner!

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but what if there were educational games that they were playing- games to help them improve their reading or math? is reading on the ipad really that much worse than reading a book in hand? are we being oversentimental about the printer word because thats what we grew up with? is it the method of delivery that is negative or what is being delivered? or both?

as for physical activity, the wii has a whole range of games designed to get families moving. no good?

sry beb on lap- brb.

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I completely agree with all of you. However I have to comment regarding this bolded bit that while this may be true most of the time, it is not always the case. I personally know a little boy who, quite astonishingly, knows anything and everything about electronics/technology however at the same time has no problem interacting with others. In fact I've never seen a kid who can hold a conversation as well as him. I'm sure balance is the key. While he may be pre-occupied with an ipad for a long period of time, he is also still more than willing to go outside and play......or something else of the sort.

Also, I do have to say times are changing. I don’t think it’s a good idea for a child to not be around any sort of ‘technology’ but yes it should definitely be limited

Disclaimer: I'm not a parent nor do I claim any expertise in the area, just my personal opinion drawn from my personal experiences

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because kids will always prefer the non educational games. technology also breeds short attention spans, which are short enough in kids anyway. i think milly touched on this.

wii is not a substitute for running around in fresh air and getting dirty.

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With regards to the learning literacy through the iPad or a computer, my main issue is the fine and gross motor control. Most, if not all schools to use pencils and pens for writing, yes we have ICT lessons and laptops to use, but 99% of our recorded learning is written and if a child cannot hold a pencil to write letters of their own name at the age of 5-6, it’s worrying. You’l be suprised as to how many children can’t write their own name at the age of 5.

The thing with the Wii games is that yes whilst some of them do involve some sort of physical activity, nothing is better than the real thing. Perhaps im only saying this as my first experience of playing Wii bowling was being beaten by a 7 year old who cant even hold a real bowling bowl never mind get 6 strikes! :mad:

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SGC, I don't know about others but I find it hard reading a book on the ipad or the laptop. Maybe I'm old fashioned but I want my child to feel the book feeling, and get transported like I did while reading Enid Blyton.

And SGC you have played wii games, and played outside right ... I think they are different. The fresh air, the sweat, yeah the mitti as well... the taking a shower after we came back home from playing games and then ammi having some snacks for us. I guess I might be a sentimental fool but I associate these things with a lived childhood.

Also when we played out in the galee , we were interacting with all sorts of kids. The ones that went to the same school as us, the ones who didn't and frankly it also gave us a sense of neighborhood. I do understand with kids coming over only the ones who are my kids' friends will come over.

Honestly I can't wait for summers here in good ole Canada to take Jr. to the open parks and have him play and make friends on the playground, mall play areas just don't cut it for me. Video games are great for hand, mind eye co-ordination but I would love for my child to have great pensmanship skills too.

Guac, this is just my observation but most kids who turn into zombies by technology are the ones where parents want to get the kids off their hands and pretty much no interaction with them or others around them. Mother needs to do housework, shower , chat for 3 hours on the phone so the kid is given techonology mommy... and there we see detrimental effects.

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YES! I love love love the smell of new books, in fact, this is probably really lame but I dont even read library books as they are 'used' I buy new books.

I bought my sister a Kindle for her birthday and tried to 'read' it once on the train, it was awful. Not the same as a book. I love books!

Baby and toddler books are SO much fun too, the pop up ones, the touchy feely material ones, just the pictures are exciting enough for me!

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^ i agree with you completely. reading baby books to the kid has been a great experience so far and hubby and i are both avid readers so hopefully he picks up on that too but i read on the ipad as well and i guess i'd want him to read read read first and foremost even if he prefers the ipad over a "real" book.

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I hope baby SGC has The very hungry caterpillar! The hardboard version is AMAZING! You get a nittle caterpillar to move in and out of the pages, it's very cool.

Oh and Dear Zoo, where you have to open to flap to see the animal that's been sent! AH I love books!

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I agree with everything that Milly said.

Sue Palmer has done a vast research on this topic, please have a look at some of her articles.

http://www.suepalmer.co.uk/modern_childhood_articles.php