Tech Savvy Children

I hate to admit it, but when my daughter was 6 she was able to navigate around my Ipad before I could.  Children have become extremely technology savvy these days.  They are exposed to technology on a daily basis, and schools are finally catching up with the rest of the world and incorporating technology into the curriculum.  I think this is a great step forward, I just hope that with the limited budgets public schools have, that they are able to keep up with the technology. 

In the article linked below, the author, Jane Bailey talks about monitoring children's time and usage of their children.  I think this goes without saying.  Children do not need to be let loose to do whatever they want to do on the Ipad, or any other device.  Children need to be limited and she gives us some great apps for kids to try.  However, I think her scope is too narrow.  There are several "games" that may not seem educational but can definitely teach children things that simple kindergarten games will not teach them. 

Minecraft is a great example.  Upon first glance, it is an adventure game, there are zombies and bad guys.  Some parents may not let their child play this game.  However there is a creative mode that you can make "peaceful" (no bad guys) and the child can just build things.  You should see some of the structures that my 8 year old has built!  She is learning about geometry and engineering.  That is not something that a simple toddler game will teach them.  I am not saying that there is not a need and a use for apps that teach counting, colors, alphabet, and animals... I simply saying that before people limit the apps their children want to play, try to think of what they could get out of it. 

http://learningworksforkids.com/2012/11/using-minecraft-to-encourage-student-directed-learning/

http://blog.post.edu/2013/05/giving-ipads-to-kindergartners.html