In today's age, there is an app for everything we do, and technology everywhere we go. Although it can be a controversial topic for some, I think the best way to adapt to the times is to incorporate parenting with technology, to ensure that your child is receiving a well-rounded education, that reflects the world around us.
Some parents might be apprehensive about this but using technology is a great way to enhance your child’s learning. There are an innumerable amount of apps for kids that are geared towards every age range. To the parents, the increasing advancements to technology can be overwhelming if you don’t have a grasp on it. Just as your child is learning, set aside time to explore this technology yourself, this can be taking time to find apps you want to explore with your children, or even engaging in your own personal projects, the goal is to learn as much as possible, and to use that knowledge to give your child the best education possible.
There are so many ways to connect with your child using technology. The first step is to set rules. Create a guideline of how much screen time your child is allowed to have each week. Be aware of what sites your child visits, from the words of content writer Isabel Speckman “mentor, not just monitor”. Of course, teaching your child about the dangers of the internet is important, but teaching them about the rewards of the internet is equally important. In general, the more you keep something away from someone, the more curious they become, from the words of Deivorah Heitner, “The more walls we build, the more we are just creating little hackers who are just trying to get around the fence,” (Heitner). From my own experience as a very inquisitive child, everything that my parents tried to keep me in the dark about, I made a point to find out as much information about it as possible. Clearly, every child responds to things differently, but it’s important to instill honesty and trust in your children when it comes to using technology. This, of course, is a process and as you take steps and build upon this trust, there are plenty of sites and apps available that enable you to not only monitor what sites your child visits but can block certain functions from being used completely.
On the other hand, for children the opportunities to learn are endless; flashcards, videos, quizzes, arts and crafts, books, etc. Technology allows children to see so much of the world outside of their own perspectives. It also enables them to maintain long-distance relationships between parents, family, friends, etc. Having a firm grasp on technology will prepare them for life outside of institutions, and make it easier for them to stay on top of the advancements of the world. From personal experience, my middle school gave every student their own personal Ipad to use in class, and at home if they desired. For me it was a whole new world, before that I relied on books from the library, lessons I was taught in class, and stories of those around me to create my perception of the world, but with the freedom of technology I was able to form my own connections to the world around me.
For those who are still uneasy about the idea, think about it this way; there are negatives to every situation, but the way you overcome these negative is to take control and use it to your advantage.
Tags: Technology, Advice, Parenting
References
Ramma, Y. (2019, October 17). Technology can help kids learn, but only if parents and teachers are involved. Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/technology-can-help-kids-learn-but-only-if-parents-and-teachers-are-involved-84125.
Speckman, I. (2018, June 18). Parenting and Technology: How to Raise Kids in the Digital Era. Retrieved from https://thriveglobal.com/stories/parenting-and-technology-how-to-raise-kids-in-the-digital-era/.
Photo credits: Kelly Sikkema
