Early+Childhood+Screen-Time+Questions

As a teacher and as a parent, I am careful with and concerned about the amount of time young children spend in front of a screen. I understand that I am a digital immigrant. I understand that our children are digital natives. I see that every time my 11 year-old and I have an interaction regarding technology! :-) Every article we read, every cool on-line project I peruse, I find myself wrestling with issues regarding developmentally appropriateness and technology literacy. I have lots of thoughts and ideas, but I would appreciate feedback from others. --Kim

Boy, I'll tell ya, last night when the boys were lighting bombs off in the street, I was wishing they were back killing zombies on xbox... Seriously though, not trying to make light of your topic, it is a HUGE issue! So much that our kids are exposed to "nowadays" we never knew about until we were much older. That evaluation and critical thinking of the media they consume is more important than ever. --Teresa

Teresa, Did I put this in the wrong place? Kim

Hi Kim - I don't know that there is a wrong place to put things, but if you want a discussion, perhaps in the discussion tab? Maybe info we work on collaboratively goes on these main pages. Let's ask the group what they think this morning. See you in a bit. T

I've been reading, discussing, and presenting about this topic for over a decade. Then I had kids. I knew what the pundits and researchers said, but my husband and I made the choice to allow our kids more screen time than is suggested. We don't have TV, so they don't see many commercial ads that way. We do allow them guided access to the Internet (usually Club Penguin, et. al., YouTube selected videos, family blogs, etc.). They also now have additional screen time with the Wii, iTouch, iPad, and iPhone. I'm convinced their brains are wired differently because of this exposure. Their hand-eye coordination with games is totally Digital Native; my brain will never work like that. I'm betting that this new type of information processing will become expected in their lifetime. I rationalize all this by thinking not of the screen time they are exposed to, but consideration of what they are missing out on. I know they should be running around, exploring the world, reading books, etc. and as long as they are getting plenty of this I can live with myself. Time will tell. - Sheryl

While I am not a parent, I do agree with all of you on how much is too much. Even in class when we have been in a computer lab for hours I find myself wanting to get away from the screen. However, the kids have grown up on all of it and to some extent it is their norm. I think that with everything in life, balance is key. -Bethany

I am also concerned with the amount of time kids spend in front of a screen. I have a sticker on my car that says, "Kill Your Television". Many children spend way too much time in front of a screen, whether it is to watch tv, play a game, or text a friend. I realize the value and importance of computers and what they have to offer but how do we get our students to limit the amount of time they are spending playing games, texting, and watching tv? How do we get them to use the computer as a teaching & learning tool? Children need to be active, play outside and use their imaginations!! As a parent one of the best things my husband and I have done has been to cancel our cable and put the tv in the basement. Our children have grown up with little/no tv.