FabSwingers.com forum: Children and Technology

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Im guessing there is no right or wrong answer to this but just curious on other peoples view points.

For approaching 4 years now ive kept all my childs toys to basic ones, books, dressing up costumes, teddys, play kitchens etc whilst some parents have started with electronic toys from the word go. I have finally allowed myself to embrace the changing world and invest in a leap pad.

If you were a parent today to a young child how would you go about things?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Im guessing there is no right or wrong answer to this but just curious on other peoples view points.

If you were a parent today to a young child how would you go about things? "

Give them the tech! They 'll know how to use it better than you!!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *yrdwomanWoman
over a year ago

Putting the 'cum' in Eboracum

I would buy things that are within my budget. iPads are not, so unfortunately my hypothetical young child would have to be content with mildly educational toys, with a few frivolous ones chucked in for variety.

Can't go wrong with Lego IMO.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *radleyandRavenCouple
over a year ago

Herts

I have absolutely no idea but I'll face it when the time comes.

A lot of very young children seem to be quite savvy with an ipad at an age when I, myself, could barely navigate my way around an Easter egg.

- Amy. x

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *yphoon1Man
over a year ago

good on you. the non electronic toys will be most used and carried around and fondly remembered. the asking for electronic gizmos will come later.

plenty without going electronic. lego is one of the best for creativity and pure imagination (and failing that how tall a tower of single bricks can u make?)

reading to kids. very underrated

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I would buy things that are within my budget. iPads are not, so unfortunately my hypothetical young child would have to be content with mildly educational toys, with a few frivolous ones chucked in for variety.

Can't go wrong with Lego IMO."

even im partial to a big of lego

and im an adult

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *issHottieBottieWoman
over a year ago

Kent

I've got my lad a vtech innotab for Xmas.

I know people with kids of 2 and 3 that are getting iPads. It's ridiculous IMHO. I know you can download educational apps etc but it's not for kids. He can have one when he's older and will appreciate its value (if I can afford it) the innotab was £40 and if it ends up getting dropped on the floor I won't have a breakdown over it!!

The same goes for games consoles, of anything he can have a wii type one in a few years that encourages family games and also has learning type games and doesn't encourage him to be sat in a trance like a bloody zombie playing games with guns and god knows what else

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Not sure whether it would work, but i'd but them outdoor toys and let them play outside with friends for as much as possible.

Not sure if there is a strong causal correlation, but all the media reports of troubled/suicidal teenagers appear to have the common link of overuse/reliance on gadgets and social media websites.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *issHottieBottieWoman
over a year ago

Kent

Can't go wrong with Lego IMO.

even im partial to a big of lego

and im an adult

I love Lego but its one of the most painful things in the world to stand on

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Whether we like it or not technology is the way forward and actually if there is a balance between the use of tech based toys and everything else (outdoor play, creative, books etc etc) I think it's a good thing for holistic development of the child

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *igellahestonCouple
over a year ago

Darleston

I have a ten and thirteen yr old, we have one telly, no consoles, I have the only mobile and laptop.

They haven't divorced me yet....

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I've got my lad a vtech innotab for Xmas.

Im guilty of owning a wii but she has no idea how to work it, just dances along with me on the rare days i can be bothered to use it.

I noticed at her nursery how they have a computer and some of the children are always on it, part of me is relieved that she chooses to draw paint cut and stick rather than to use a program to create images.. at the same time im wondering if im hindering a modern childs development by not being tech savvy in a fast paced moving world.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Only my own opinion and experience of course, but the best practice whatever route you go down, is lots and lots of parental interaction with your kids.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I have a ten and thirteen yr old, we have one telly, no consoles, I have the only mobile and laptop.

They haven't divorced me yet...."

in my home there is only one TV.. bedrooms are for sleeping and playing in (god i sound so old fashioned lol)

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *issHottieBottieWoman
over a year ago

Kent

"I've got my lad a vtech innotab for Xmas.

Im guilty of owning a wii but she has no idea how to work it, just dances along with me on the rare days i can be bothered to use it.

I'm sure there will be lots of kids that don't have these things. Many simply cannot afford them. The wii is ok in my opinion at least they're up and moving about

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

It is a useful skill to develop now. I got my nephew a Leap Pad when he was about 3 and he was able to use the laptop by the time he was four.

They do like their gadgets (they are older now and have Kindles and the older one has his own Chrome Book) but they still spend whole afternoons playing with Lego or out on their bikes.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Only my own opinion and experience of course, but the best practice whatever route you go down, is lots and lots of parental interaction with your kids."

Exactly this. As a childcare professional I fully advocate the use of technology but there has to be a balance... Not a replacement for interaction, but use of technology can aid and support learning and development.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have 3 kids (aged 13, 10 and 9). We have never restricted tech toys in our household.

Since an early age they had Nintendo DS, Play Station, PSP, a laptop to share etc.

However, they have always had a very outdoorsy lifestyle and during the hols will easily spend weeks not touching any toys (unlike their mum who cannot live without her toys, but I digress).

More recently they use the family iPad and Wii for all sorts of things not just brainless games.

I see no harm in it and would do it all again.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London

Only my own opinion and experience of course, but the best practice whatever route you go down, is lots and lots of parental interaction with your kids."

^^^^^This!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a ten and thirteen yr old, we have one telly, no consoles, I have the only mobile and laptop.

They haven't divorced me yet....

in my home there is only one TV.. bedrooms are for sleeping and playing in (god i sound so old fashioned lol)"

I am the opposite. 4 kids, 4 t.v.s upstairs... Each with their own DVD player and console.. each has their own tablet or laptop..

3 bigger ones have to as it's classed as essential for school...

However when younger they have always had normal toys... And they love board games..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

balance is key in my opinion, our children need to be able to function in the world in which they live but there is a place in that world for traditional pastimes too. When our two were small we tried to maintain a balance and think we managed quite well one of them doesn't even own a mobile phone or have a facebook of twitter account at 21 and at 24 the other could build you a web site and lives with a mobile in one hand

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eryBigGirlWoman
over a year ago

East Yorkshire

The world revolves around technology so my thought is the early they get to grasps with it the better but the key is moderation!! My 12 year old has used gadgets for many years but still prefers to get out crafty stuff and draw, stick, make things!!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *rummagemMan
over a year ago

Bedworth/Nuneaton

My cousins have kept technology to a minimum, encouraging them to interact with their siblings and cousins. That said they do play on the Wii which is family friendly. From about 5-7 years old they had V-Tech which was a good way to introduce them to IT. Apple products are expensive and not suited for kids IMHO.

I am concerned about present teenagers and their apparent addiction to social media. There's anecdotal evidence to suggest the more they use it, the more anxious and unhappy they feel about their lives and themselves.

As always, parental supervision and interaction is the best way forward as kids want their parent's love, time and attention, not expensive, technological gadgets to act as stand-ins.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Only my own opinion and experience of course, but the best practice whatever route you go down, is lots and lots of parental interaction with your kids.

totally agree, me and my child are inseparable. There are days where she wants her own space and other days where its 'mummy can we play shops' or 'mummy can we go to the farm'.. im exceptionally proud of her. Anyone who knows us knows she is well rounded, very creative and most of all cared, loved and very happy

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

I've just come back from seeing the boys. The oldest was doing his homework, on the computer. He has to download his homework from the VLE (virtual learning environment) do it and submit it back that way.

The younger ones were playing in their room with their friend and at bedtime got the Kindles to read their books in bed before going to sleep.

I remembered something that a senior executive from a large tech company said to me. He said that schools are failing on the technology front as the the children are taught to type using a computer and not much else. The technology they have and can explore at home and in their hands as smartphones requires them to do more and understand more than school does and needs to be encouraged if we're to keep up with children from other countries.

Balance, making it fun and something you do together.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have a 3 and a half year old and he loves technology, he has my old phone (sim removed) connected to wifi and uses it to download games and go on youtube himself to watch peppa pig ect.

Ive also bought him a ds for xmas as i know he would love it. However hes also quite happy to sit there drawing and doing 'childrens things'

In his nursery they have 2 laptops and a touch screen pc for the children to play with and because he loves using them i believe i should encourage him using technology in today's age.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

it's definitely a question of balance when it comes to little ones and technology, they see it all around them & it's now very much part of day to day life.

I think though they have years ahead of them to surround themselves with gadgets & a very short period of time to use their imaginations & just play

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have a 13 and a 9 year old who both have ipods.

The 13 year old has a TV in her room and has an XBOX and a laptop.

The 9 year old has a notebook and a Wii but wants an Xbox for Christmas.

But they are very sporty kids too and in the summer when the weather was nice they had to play outside.

I think you just need to have a balance.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

My niece and nephew aren't very interested in technology.

They will play on an iPad occasionally. He like smurfsVille or something and she like watching no-no cat (over and over!!)

There is a PlayStation in their house and a Wii but I have yet to see them show any interest in them. They are far too busy making horse jumps and playing tea parties etc.

If/when I have children I will provably expose them to technology enough so that they are not held back in terms of school etc but I won't be forking out hundreds of pounds on games consoles etc as I know they will just lie about unused.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When I was on holiday recently a couple would sit their 12 month old baby in a highchair for his breakfast and prop up an iPad in front of him which displayed a counting app.

The screen had bright and colourful pics and the baby was looking at it.

I talked to this couple throughout the holiday. He was a plastic surgeon, she was a solicitor, so both high achievers. I wonder whether their child will learn to count and read early and in time also become a high achiever like his parents.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

I think it's sad that they can't take time to interact with their own child in all honesty.

My sister and brother in law are an accountant and a fireman. Their daughter just had her 2.5 year assessment thing and is performing at 4 and 5 year old levels in most aspects. This wasn't achieved through an iPad!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The world revolves around technology so my thought is the early they get to grasps with it the better but the key is moderation!! My 12 year old has used gadgets for many years but still prefers to get out crafty stuff and draw, stick, make things!! "

My house is currently covered in glitter as we have been making students Christmas. We also do things like making cushions or teddybears... I agree it's about balance.

However for me technology also helps with discipline.... As if I need to punish.... It's phones or consoles or internet I remove.. like.. when your rooms are done I will put the Wi-Fi back on lol.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *edangel_2013Woman
over a year ago

southend

I often see parents stick their children in front of ipads or give them phones to play with when they come to eat in the restaurant I work in. Or it's the opposite way around, they play on their phones/ipads and totally ignore their child.

I learnt to read before I went to school. I was always advanced in my reading and spelling, thanks in the main to my Grandad. He taught me to read and write when I was small, by playing Scrabble, and taking me to the library. He encouraged me to look at books to find the answers to my questions. I blame him entirely for the fact that I can visit a new library and loose an entire day in there, and that I can't leave a question unanswered.

But he did it all without Kindles, computers or technology.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Thing is it's all well and good saying about what we did as kids.. but if a child goes to school not knowing how to use technology, it's almost the same as not being able to read.

My kids love books... real books. In fact my 17 year old is doing her work experience in the library... But they are also all went versed in office and general computer skills..

I do agree that some just use the t.v. as A way to teach their kids but technology is something that will be around and always going forward. I would hate for my kids to get left behind.

Although being a gadget geek myself I am not sure they will get left behind.

I do like the Wii though, as it's very family based... Just dance is our favourite.. all of them... And they spend ages on it...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In my case technology became a natural progression which was balanced out by good ole fashioned playing

when they're toddlers their main play will be with toys because lets face it they do have a knack of breaking the most robust items

Then it's Angry Birds on your phone when you're out to dinner (so you can have 5 mins to shove your food in!) followed by a DS, maybe a Wii then boys progress onto Xbox / Playstations, where's as girls tend to favour the social media side of tech bbm, facebook etc etc on iPad type gadgets.

I have to say my teenager is really good with tech and is excelling in IT @ school as a result. Handy for me too as I like gadgets but not so good with setting them up lol!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread