A little different flavored thread for this forum. The objective is to discuss the impact of technology and not your parenting style, hence the choice of this forum.
There’s an ongoing debate (on GS as well) on how much technology our kids should be exposed to. There’s one set of parents that think we should stick to old school and that technology is “bad” for the tender minds. And there’s the other group that likes to go with the flow.
In my home, my kids are loving technology. They can operate Apple devices and Android devices, know the differences, are reading on e-readers, and have learned to enjoy what the world is bringing their way. But they still do read paper and write on paper and can make smooth conversation with humans. Whatever they do with their gadgets is supervised by mom or dad and have limits to how much is allowed and what is permissible.
But I love to see their excitement when we walk into an Apple Store and my 9 year old usually has tons of questions for the sales rep. I’m teaching her how to use different software so she can develop her skills more effectively. I know this may not happen in every family set up but given that my husband and I like to keep up with technology, the kids are involved in our lifestyle choices.
But why is there so much resistance to technology from some parents is the question I’d like to ask? Why do people think that if my kid can read on Kindle, she will not read a paper book. Or of she types, she will not be able to write by hand. Why can’t we broaden our capacities instead of being stuck in a rut and then later, when you’re forced to assimilate, you blame the system or get frustrated?
I agree. Being a techie myself I believe that kids should be introduced to technology and should keep up with it. I remember back in the day the elders used to throw fits if one of us kids were fiddling with the VCR or TV.
There are health concerns among child development experts for having a screen based lifestyle...I'm not sure if it effects kid's writing or art skills so can't comment on that. But yeah, I don't think you're missing on anything for not being technology aware.
^ Thats why it should be done in moderation. No kid should be playing with tablets, computers, tv games all the time. There should always be breaks involved and they should play outside as well.
I think they should spend more time doing other activities and very little time on watching tv or other screen based activities. I guess most kids are already doing that by spending most of their time in schools but what I'm hearing now is that some schools have have computers in classrooms too and writing has been abolished.
I'm not a parent but I think kids should be exposed to technology but in moderation. I wouldn't want to be the one kid in class who doesn't know what everyone else is talking about. Also, technology can be a great tool to learn so parents should teach their kids the positive things that can come out of technology.
As a kid who wasn't exposed to any kind of technology while growing up, I'd love my kids to learn all about technology. Play around and discover things on their own. But I can understand when parents think too much of technology can be harmful for growing minds because let's admit excess of everything is bad. I'd want a balance. Eg. in reading books in a hard copy and reading it on the Kindle... Nothing beats holding a book in your hand, smelling a new book and reading it.
It's pretty silly to think that if your kid can type, they can't write. Do people still think that way? That doesn't even make sense. =/
It's pretty silly to think that if your kid can type, they can't write. Do people still think that way? That doesn't even make sense. =/
Actually I can kind of see where parents are coming from. If a kid always typed and didn't practice writing very much the would/could have trouble writing by hand. My writing is horrible and now I write less and less its only going to get worse. :(
Whenever there is a technological leap, this issue always comes up. Remember those days when anti-tech crowd used to say that if you put your kids in front of tv for too long, or too close, their eyesight will become weaker.
Its very hard for some to accept technology at kids level. I am not sure if its the fear of unknown, the fact that we think our kids and their minds are too vulnerbale, or just plain Nostalgia factor where we think that the best way to raise our kids is the way we were raised, using clay tablets and sitting on mats to learn from our teachers who use blackboards and chalks.
If technology is so awful for kids that elementary schools would not have touch screen white boards and skype connections in the classroom for kids to learn from
Actually I can kind of see where parents are coming from. If a kid always typed and didn't practice writing very much the would/could have trouble writing by hand. My writing is horrible and now I write less and less its only going to get worse. :(
I think sometimes it doesnt help. I didnt type anything till after high school and I have terrible writing. I have been told quite a few times that I should have been a doctor.
I agree with having trouble to write but not being able to write with hands concept is far fetched. Because whatever age you are in this day and age, you HAVE to write! You can't just stop writing. Writing is an absolute must imo!
When my 9 yr old was in kindergarten, his teacher told me that he didn’t want to do the writing practice sheets in class, because he said “he could just email it to her when he got home”.
Love it!