Technology

"You can't upload love,

You can't download time,

You can't Google

All of life's answers.

You must actually live

your life."

by Paul Brandt

Impact of Technology on Young Brains

Technology is:

Ipad
phone
computer
Nintendo/Playstation/Xbox
TV
Alexa/ Google
Smart watch

Research:

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests no technology under 18 months and no more than 1 hour total per day of high quality programs for ages 2-5. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.

Affects of technology on young children

Teachers are noticing that children are lacking skills that will affect their learning for years to come.

Focus and attention problems are becoming prevalent as children are addicted to the bright lights and noises that technology provides. This changes their ability to focus on the human voice.

Listening, following directions, and problem solving are becoming more challenging for young children. Technology provides them with little opportunity to think on their own and form an opinion.

Communication and speech issues are also on the rise. Vocabulary, sound, and word formation skills are declining due to less conversations with people. Noises and bright lights are replacing human verbal interaction.

The immediate gratification and constant feedback from technology is harmful. This causes focus issues in children. People cannot compete with all of the constant entertainment a screen provides.

How to SPARK your child's thinking without technology

ask questions that require thinking (not yes or no answers)
count the stairs as you go up or down
with a deck of cards count how many shapes are on the card, identify numbers on card, put cards in order, put all the same number in a pile, sort by suits
child draws a picture of something they did and explains what they drew
go outside and count sticks, rocks, cars, animals, then compare the numbers
sing songs and read books
go for a walk and talk about what you see, look for things that begin with a certain letter sound, make up words that rhyme with what you see
be silly, laugh, dance, and have fun with your child
while driving talk about surroundings, signs, license plates, etc.

Technology free zones

No technology during meal time or restaurants. Instead talk with your child, color, draw, play I Spy or other simple games.

Technology is not always needed on car rides. Think short trips to school, the grocery store, etc. It is a time for conversation with your child. Look outside, talk about seasonal changes, animals you see, colors, shapes, signs- environmental print, play rhyming games, sing songs and nursery rhymes, etc.

Establish a bedtime routine such as bath, books, songs, bed. No technology an hour before bed.

While technology may be a tool for older learners, young children learn best by interacting and doing. As a guide, always ask yourself:

"Is this the best use of my child's time, or am I using technology as a way to keep my child entertained and quiet?"

Ideas for outdoors

Sidewalk chalk

Water brush name

Squiggly line

Measure cups in sandbox

Climb

Puddle jumping

Water balloon hunt

Ideas for reading a story

Talk about the title

Talk about author/illustrator

Have your child turn the pages

Discuss new vocabulary words

Talk about beginning, middle, end

Discuss characters

Predict what will happen next

Ideas for skill building

Write name every day saying what the letters are

Count to 20 each day

Review letters and sounds

Recognize numbers 1-10

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