What is the best time to introduce your child to technology is one of the questions that may disturb you as a parent. Children are interested in electronic devices of all kinds as soon as they can hold an object, especially your cell phones and tablets. Interestingly , when kids see their parents or friends using smart gadgets, they also take an interest in using them. However early tech use can steal your toddler’s communication skills and physical activities. Thus, appropriate and limited tech use can positively benefit your child’s learning.
Regarding perfect time to for kids to use smart tools, remember that according to the USA Education of Technology, “For children under the age of two, technology use in early learning settings is discouraged. However, families can use technology in active ways that promote relationship development, such as using video chatting software to talk to relatives, friends, and families they cannot see regularly. Parents who are interested in using media with their children can start around 18 months with high-quality content, but should always co-view content and use technology with their children”.
Best Time to Introduce Your Child to Smart Devices
There is no specific time to introduce children to technology; every parent has a different opinion. However, on the base of expert suggestions you can estimate the best time to introduce your child to modern technology. The appropriate age to introduce kids to smart world depend on the mental abilities and strength of the kids.
We know that young children are smart enough to grasp technology quickly. They may enjoy playing with the buttons on laptops and smartphones and watching videos, but that does not mean they are ready for use. Early use of smart devices makes your child addicted to the digital world. Experts advise that waiting until your child is at least preschool age. Many three-year-old are proficient media users and can learn from electronic devices. Technology use is now common in education. However make sure you introduce your child to a smartphone or laptop with restrictions. The restriction would controls your kid screen time. Here are certain guidelines when introduce your early learner to technology.
Fixed Screen Time
Parents are responsible for managing specific times to use smart gadgets, creating tech-free zones within their home, and prioritizing face-to-face interactions. Parents communicate with children about the importance of balance to ensure that their children understand the purpose behind screen time rules.
Experts recommend that, at the early age of smart devices, the watching duration should be two hours. If your child doesn’t follow the rules, try to teach them the importance of time management.
Parents Share Screen Time with Kids
Parents must watch TV or tablets together with their children so that you are aware of their watching history. It strengthens the bond between parents and children. Kids enjoy screening more effectively with family. Similarly, Parents and kids should explore educational websites together, use digital platforms for creative projects, and join children in learning to draw or paint using smart devices. Through these activities, you not only enhance your child’s learning abilities but also strengthen the parent-child bond through shared tech adventures.
kids to Tech Purpose
Parents are role models for children when they see their parents using smart devices, they are also curious to use them. So it’s a parent’s responsibility to provide smart gadgets useful information to kids. Your child must know the importance of technology and its main purpose. Children are smart and can grasp new things quickly at an early age so tell them how effectively you can use them for learning. Teach kids that laptops computers and other smart devices are used in our day-to-day lives, in schools to learn, in medicine and sciences, and in different organizations to resolve cooperation issues. Thus they can understand that a computer is useful for learning new and instructive things and is not just a toy.
Download LEARNING TOOLS
Parents should select the right educational apps that can turn tablets and smartphones into powerful learning tools. Introduce your child to apps that match their developmental stage. These should feature interactive and engaging content that will get them out of their chair and start moving. Moreover, download educational apps that aim to develop a child’s cognitive skills. From alphabet games to math puzzles, the digital world offers a plethora of opportunities to make learning fun and attractive.
Set Up Restrictions
When introducing your kids to technology, parents educate kids about online safety and privacy. They allowed children to limit content according to their age. Set up parental control on smart tools, lock adult games apps, and content, and download age-appropriate apps such as educational puzzle games, color games, and educational learning cartoons with entertainment and fun, but ensure to give limited internet browser access to kids. Parental Restriction gives your child a safe digital environment.
Impact of Introducing Technology in School
One of the perfect time to introduce your kids to technology is to use smart devices in school. It plays an important role in kids learning and development. There are various smart devices—tables, computers, and other technological equipment—that early learners are interested in using.
Smart devices is becoming an integral part of modern education. Children learn creative, experimental, and qualitative learning with visual images and videos. They learn different sounds in various languages by listening to voices and can understand the concept of poems when watching visual songs. It develops critical thinking in children. The Effect of technology use in school is that teachers train children to use smart devices in a moderate way. Trainer observed and supervised kids’ online activities effectively that enhances teaching and learning experiences in educational institutions.
Encourage Students Active participation
Technology encourages students to analyze and share learning experiences, new ideas, and quick responses. Using smart devices like a computer, tablet, or other types of technology in your classroom can help students learn practically with images, videos, graphs, etc. and make complex subjects interactive and easy to understand.
Every student’s learning style is unique; some students best respond to spoken rather than written words. Thus, for these types of students, teachers need to provide recorded lessons, audiobooks, and podcasts to help them learn effectively.
Alternately, there are students who like visual rather than audio learning. they visually learn more attentively. Thus, for those students, ebooks, whiteboards, graphs, and images are the best options to use in the classroom. Well, there are few children in the classroom who are interested in touchable learning. Tactical learning encourages students to observe and evaluate things practically.
These are the modern uses of technology in school, Research has proven that visual and tactile information can be retained for a longer time in kids’ memory.
Improve communication skills
students discuss the learning issues, help each other, and catch each other’s ideas when they’re using technology in the classroom. students’ different learning styles provide the best opportunity for peers to learn in fun activities when they are divided into small groups. Students who are more technologically advanced can assist their inexperienced peers and create a healthy learning environment.
Interesting and Enjoyable Learning Experiences
Kids not only seek to acquire knowledge but also seek an engaging and enjoyable learning environment. Technology allows students to learn while having fun, visual and colors promoting motivation and enthusiasm toward their studies.
Enhance Students Mental and Physical Abilities
The benefits of applying technology extend to the development of learners, encompassing their mental and physical health. As there are broad educational data in smart devices that can enhance students cognitive abilities by utilizing these tools. Consequently, can boosting their academic performance.
Interestingly, the use of technology is helpful in their physical health, contributing to a well-rounded educational experience. Thus introducing your child to smart gadgets will increase their learning ability.
Expert suggest that suitable time to introduce your kids to smart tools is early schooling. In digital world, technology has influenced children’s lives. Screen time for children has been considered an evil time for them but the reality is that technology has its benefits as well. The best way to introduce your child to technology, keep in mind that introducing your child to smart devices is intentional and responsible so that he can benefit from a healthy relationship with smart tools.
Tech devices have both advantages and disadvantages in a child’s life. Thus, it’s the parents’ responsibility to ensure that their child is afforded digital access to maximize their learning and minimize the negative effects of its excessive use.
