At some point most parents, care-givers or teachers ask:
“Should I get a computer, gadget, or some kind of tech for kids that seem to want everything out there”?
“What would be the best type of tech for kids to get?”
“When is the best time to start getting tech for kids”?
To decide if technology is a good fit for your young ones, consider this:
1. Will this technology be a tool to educate rather than become a babysitter?
2. Will this technology be moderated rather than be available any and all the time?
3. Will you as an adult be willing to learn about and maintain this technology rather than handing it over to little ones and expect it to stay in good working condition?
If you answered yes to all of these, then by all means, bring on the tech for kids that are aching to get it!
Kids today have ALWAYS had the Internet, cell phones and MP3s. Which means they are not only comfortable with technology in their everyday life but they would not know how to function without it. Even preschool age children can benefit from educationally sound tech gadgets. Bear in mind, the moderation factor as tech for kids can also become overused. Young children also need physical activity and social interaction to be well rounded.
Tech for kids is available around every corner. In today’s classroom you will find some of the finest tech on the market. SMART Boards, document cameras, digital still cameras, video cameras, desktops, laptops, iPads, iPods and auto responder devices or Clickers. Everything from attendance to lunch cards and report cards are electronic. Why would these kids want anything different when they leave the building? When looking for the right type of tech for kids consider what message it is trying to send. Is it teaching content areas such as math, reading, science or social studies or is it teaching how to crash a car, imitate a sport (versus really playing one) or creating a fantasy world that leaves unfulfilled expectations?
The future for these tech savvy kids is immersed with electronic gadgets. Embracing these tools can be educational and entertaining.
Help support a child’s future with educationally sound products, that help the children of today prepare for the tech world of tomorrow.