We have all observed the power that a single tablet or cellphone has over a small child. Even if a child is yelling and screaming, the screen's blue glow seems to flip a switch that leads to calm. Our youngest learners seem to love classroom technology, but is it always good for them?
There is no single right answer to the question of whether there should be technology in childcare. Even so, guidance exists that can help determine how much is too much and how to incorporate screen time wisely.
Have you been thinking about the role of media in childcare? Read on to learn about some of the considerations that can help you create a healthy diet of technology in childcare settings.
Classroom technology has its pros and cons. As we enter an age in which new, exciting educational apps are being developed daily, it can be hard to strike a balance. Some parents seek out programs that implement technology in the classroom, while others are looking for the opposite.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children between the ages of two and five should not experience more than one hour of non-educational screen time per day. As far as education screen time, it should be intentional and limited.
If you want to make the most out of the screen time you provide, you will want to do your research. Look into the apps, videos, and technology that do the most for development. Do they help you to meet the educational goals that you have for the children in your care?
The Children's Screen time Action Network suggests that you be Screen Aware. This means using what you know and understand about how children develop to make the wisest decisions about when and how to utilize technology in your classrooms.
Early childhood professionals understand that children have specific physical and cognitive needs that cannot be met by watching videos or playing screen games. So instead, you will be able to meet all of the children's needs by making technology one of several rotating activity choices in the classroom.
For example, we know that apps do not develop fine motor skills or conversational turn-taking. This can hinder both muscle development and oral language development. But, on the other hand, if children rotate through the fine motor, dramatic play, and technology centers, they will be getting the best of all worlds.
When choosing media for your childcare classroom, be certain that you are not exposing children to advertisements that can influence their thinking. Brands create advertisements to manipulate consumers into making purchases. Children do not have the capacity to weigh the pros and cons of any given product or property, and this exposure can do harm.
The highest-quality apps and programs will not seek to sell children anything. It's our role to turn children into learners and questioners, not consumers!
When considering daycare technology, your best bet is to use the information you have available to make a choice that reflects the values of your daycare center. Media in daycare can be an excellent resource when used responsibly. Make sure that the classroom technology you choose is a technology that you stand behind as an institution.
You can use technology to make other choices for your daycare, too. For example, Ground Level Inc offers the highest quality cots and sheets for your childcare center. Browse the shop to make a purchase today!
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