Recommendations for Technology Use

Technology and screen time often come up in conversations when people learn I am an education consultant. Many parents are curious about how much is too much screen time at home. Teachers and parents wonder about how technology is being implemented in schools and whether it is too much or not enough. There are also parents who worry that if their child hasn’t used an iPad or similar device their child will be behind when they start school.

There are many studies that show the benefits of technology and many studies that show the downsides of technology. Technology is terrific for allowing us to access new information, communicate with others, and learn new skills. As with most things, too much can be a bad thing.   As an adult and as an educator, I love the ease of ebooks and audio books. I also love the platforms that allow me to connect with others about books, teaching, and parenting. Technology can be such a powerful tool in our daily lives. 

As parents it is our job to ensure that we help our children use these tools in ways that will enhance their lives and contribute to their learning. 

Here are a few things to note when it comes to technology:

 

• Most children adapt quickly to technology. They learn very quickly how to swipe on an iPad or click a mouse. If the technology is brand new, they may need a little instruction or modeling but it often doesn’t take long. I have heard many times that parents think thier child will be at a disadvantage if they don’t expose them to technology early. Early exposure, if handled in the right way, can help your child feel confident when they interact with technology in classrooms and libraries, however, it is not essential as many technologies can be learned quickly by children.  Simple games, books, and drawing tools can be a great way to introduce your child to how handheld devices and computers work.

 

• There are differing degrees of what is a beneficial use of screen time. We love our Osmo kit and my kids are definitely practicing many skills when they interact with these games on their iPad. This is much more productive than some of the shows my children have watched over the years. Please know that I am not saying, kids cannot sit and watch a show or movie – simply consider the purpose or intent of the technology use.

 

• Research has shown that technology, including video games, can help your child make cognitive gains (reasoning, rationalizing, strategizing, etc.). Games these days are so somphisticated and require a great deal of intellectual consideration – again, use your judgement about the content and amount of time your child engages in this type of screen time. 

 

• Technology can provide us with instant gratification (Hello, Alexa and Amazon). I don’t have to wait very long for a package to arrive and if I need an answer for something, often, I can simply ask Alexa. I love these conveniences but we also have to be thoughtful to teach our children that sometimes they need to do some more work to uncover an answer and sometimes they have to wait longer than 2 days for something.

 

• A concern, raised by psychologists like Dr. Michele Borba (The Big Book of Parenting Solutions), is that screen time, can reduce face-to-face interactions which could hinder our relationships with our children. As our children engage with technology, we can consider how we engage with them and technology and how we engage with them in other parts of their day. 

As with many things there are benefits and drawbacks to technology. I encourage you to learn what works best for your family and pay attention when needs change.

 

If your child is engaging in screen time more than you would like, here are some ways to set limits for screen time:

 

• A-minutes-per-day time limit.

If it works for you, let your child choose when to watch, however, don’t be afraid to regulate when he gets his screen time if the times he chooses doesn’t work for you too.

• Think about making the times that your child watches videos or plays computer games regular.

Choosing a specific day and/or time, can be easier than saying something like “three hours a week.” A set day and/or time takes away the hassle of keeping track of how much she’s watched. This can also prevent debates about how much time she has left.

• Don’t put a television or computer in your child’s room.

Making the screens more visible to you can help you keep track of how much screen time your child has.

• Don’t put a DVD player in your car.

  • (Audio books are a great substitute. There are so many wonderful ways to get audio books now.  If you want to know more about how to use audio books, check out these posts from EverydayReading)
  • If you already have a DVD player, use it only on long trips.
  • Even though we don’t have a DVD player in our cars, we do let the kids use an iPad to watch movies on longer trips. We have started implementing a mandatory stop time for the kids to get a break and for us to talk with one another. We usually institute the break every hour. Sometimes it’s easier than others but we all appreciate the conversation time and the kids often notice interesting sites along our trip.

 

• Stand firm in your decision. The hardest part of limiting screen time is the whining. Know that it is temporary.

• When your children get too old for an afternoon nap, institute “quiet time.”

That means your child plays quietly for an hour in his or her room. There are no restrictions on what they can or can’t do, but it must be quiet. An hour of peace in the middle of a hectic, noisy day can be great for both parents and kids. It’s also good practice for your child to learn to entertain himself.

We have always tried to limit screen time since my children were little. Sometimes I’ve done better than others. We have tried different ways of monitoring and we have changed as the kids get older.

 

I feel like now we have hit a successful groove with screen time. We allow iPads on long trips and our kids get to choose the movies and shows (within reason). We have also established family movie time (almost) every Sunday when we sit together as a family to watch a movie we’ve all agreed on. This time offers time for us to rest together and have a shared experience. We all look forward to this time together.

We also allow our kids to play academic specific games once a week. They can choose to play a school reccomended practice like Xtra Math or with their Osmo. When they were younger they could choose to play ABC Mouse. 

There are other great technologies and apps that can support your child’s learning.  We use these periodically. I have linked a few on the Recommendations page and some here. We love listening to audio books and books on CD. I have also purchased ebooks when I wasn’t able to find the paper books. I have even been know to stock up on ebooks when traveling so I only need to pack my device saving room in our suitcases for other things.  

 

If you want to learn more about technology use for young kids, I highly recommend you visit: https://tech.ed.gov/earlylearning/principles/

Hope you and your family enjoy and benefit from the many opportunities technology provides and you are able to set healthy and helpful boundaries. Please leave a comment and let me know how you handle technology in your house?