Why should my child learn about technology?
Technology is an important part of the world our children are growing up in and it is virtually impossible for it not to be a major part of their lives. Mobile phones, televisions, computers, gaming consoles, cameras - many children use these every day and need to understand safe ways to interact with them.
Technology for kids can also be about more than social media trends or online gaming. Learning about technology and picking up technology-related skills such as programming can:
Help children learn; there are many educational elements of technology that can help children learn or provide access to educational activities.
Improve their ability to multitask.
Improve their visual-spatial development.
Support their problem solving and decision making.
Skills such as coding and programming can support these areas as well as give them a great start for the future - your child might want to be a web or app developer, build programs or work in tech in general! Even if they don’t pursue tech as a future career, computer literacy is a solid skill to have for any job as technology becomes important in most industries.
How can children have a healthy relationship with technology?
When they have grown up knowing nothing but technology, sometimes children don’t know when it’s time to take a break. It’s important to establish boundaries and encourage a positive relationship between technology and children while they are young. You could implement family rules such as no tech at the dinner table, or a family 'switch off time' running up to bedtime, and leave any tech at home when you go on family trips such as a walk or to the park.
