The Tech Debate Part 1: Is Technology Developmentally Appropriate for Your Child?

January 23rd, 2012 by ricole

In this day and age — not to mention here in Scottsdale –
it is a daily occurrence to see young children with accessibility to incredible, expensive technology. Common sightings at Kierland and Desert Ridge are stroller children playing on iPads or listening to their parents’ iPods, teenagers talking on their smart phones, and toddlers asking to “see” the pictures on digital cameras immediately after photos are taken! I can remember when I was in elementary school having to wait a week to get my photos back from Walgreens!

This exciting new wave of technology undoubtedly opens up brand new means of learning for children; however, it presents the question if it is appropriate, beneficial, and even needed for children to learn and grow.

When it comes to the tech debate, there are two very different schools of thought:

1. Technology offers cutting edge, convenient, and challenging mediums to learning, which are not fully and easily accessible in traditional learning methods. 

2. Technology can alter a child’s brain functioning, rerouting it to think, learn, and problem solve in “short-cuts” as well as it decreases a child’s need for social interaction, which is a large aspect of learning in early childhood.

 

 

 

 

Here at SCCLC, we believe both of these ‘tech truths’ are important to consider.

We are always revamping our curriculum to include new learning resources, which includes technology; however, we do not abandon effective traditional styles of learning in the process. We see the benefit of appropriately implemented technology alongside tactile and traditional instruction.

 

With two vastly different opinions, it can be confusing and also challenging to make the right and healthy decision for your little one. Here are a few resources to help you discover your thoughts on the tech debate.

• Kids and Technology: The Health and Developmental Debate by Stephanie Buck
• Using Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom by Dr. Bruce Perry
• Technology in Early Childhood Education: Finding the Balance by Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
• The Role of Technology by Francis Wardle, Ph. D.
• Kids & Tech: How Much is Too Much? by Jennifer LeClaire

Once you feel comfortable with your stance on technology, here are a couple other tidbits to keep in mind for your family…

• KNOW the technology your child is using! — Whether it’s an iPod app, a social media site, or educational website, KNOW the in’s and out’s of the information in which your child could be exposed. The internet is a wonderful resource, but can be a vast and scary encyclopedia of knowledge and visual aides. Check into internet parent controls on the family computer before your child explores. 

• LIMIT “screen time” to about an hour each day – “According to Kaiser study in 2009, kids aged 8-18 are engaging with digital media an average of 7.5 hours per day. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1-2 hours per day of screen-time (Mashable Social Media).” Your child should only be in front of a computer, watching a movie or TV, and/or navigating on a screen-based system such as an iPad for no more than 2 hours COMBINED. If a child has more than 2 hours of screen time, it can affect the child’s ability to explore and learn with tactile and physical activities (KidsHealth.org)  

• UNPLUG as a family unit — Getting quality, face-to-face time with our kids is invaluable, and our kids need to know that we believe it is a priority. With consistency and reasonable rules, kids will learn to follow the example we set in regards to quality, unplugged time spent. For example, a reasonable & consistent rule could be that dinner time is “unplugged.” You can adjust your family technology rules to cater to your family’s needs.  

What are your thoughts on technology in your home? Do you believe it has educational benefits or do you believe it is developmentally inappropriate?

Look forward to
The Tech Debate: Part 2 …Tech Toys for Your Child!

---

Posted by ricole

Bio: I have been with Scottsdale Learning Center since 2003, beginning as a Preschool Teacher then moving into the Director position in 2006. I love helping families incorporate grace-based parenting techniques at home, am obsessed with my nieces and nephews (and my entire family all-together), could drink a Starbucks eggnog latte every morning if possible, am hooked on traveling and learning about cultures with my amazing husband, and absolutely LOVE kids and early childhood education!

---

---