So exactly how much is too much screen time??? I try and stay under the 40 minutes threshold a day but for some reason my children are obsessed with television or any screen for that matter. If we walk into a household that has a television on as background noise, my kids are almost guaranteed to be glued to it, while the kids that live there probably won’t even notice it’s on.
These days, as parents, we are bombarded with the choices to go screen, or not. I recently had to turn down a preschool because they actually had no blackboard in a K classroom – the “smart” board had taken its place. I’m not sure what was worse, that there was no blackboard or that the school was actually using this digital screen as a major selling point. I just could not stand the thought that I would not know how much screen time Miss-M would have on a given day. Honestly, the days I am most proud of my mothering are those that have no screen time. Although I believe everything in moderation is healthy, that annoying-anal little voice inside my head reminds me that there is nothing going on in their brain while the television is on. But at the same time if your children are exhausted from school and activities maybe a little downtime is needed.
A few days ago I went to check out a family health club that had amazing amenities where I could work out and the children could play, take classes and swim in the summer. The club was decidedly a no-go because of their television and computer approach: basically, computers and TVs were everywhere!!! Again, that was their top selling point. We have 10 macs and 10 PCs here for the kids to play with. Yayyyy – Not! As I write this, my 4-year-old is hanging off me trying to catch a glimpse of my WordPress page (she’s meant to be asleep). Recently I have started to realize how much their world is changing; I don’t want to hold my children back from gaining knowledge about current technology but I also feel like it’s overwhelming. Where are we going with this? How about good old-fashioned make-believe play? I feel like I need to talk to a child tech-guru to find out if keeping my kids in a non-tech bubble is the best idea…
James Room, 4th Floor Barnard Hall
West 117th Street & Broadway
When it comes to digital media and young children, content and context matter. As part of the Barnard Center for Toddler Development’s 40th anniversary celebration, Rosemarie Truglio discusses digital media’s impact on children. How might parents go about finding age-appropriate content? Can they use digital media to foster shared educational experiences with their children? Truglio helps parents navigate this tricky terrain.
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I would actually not attend because I know I will hear what I don’t want to hear. We are that family that always has the TV on. I grew up with it on and I have fared well. And my kids aren’t glued to it its just “on.” But I’m that person that needs a TV on, I can’t he in a quiet room, even if its sports. I also ate twinkies and yodels before dinner and that has worked out in the long run. But I think it would be great to know the answers..I for sure don’t. Lukes school uses a smart board and I don’t even know nor did I ask how it works, I just assume its something digital. His teacher tells me that when they use it he’s so great with it and so focused as compared to circle time. I think this is a great topc. While i see benefits, Luke learned the alphabet via sesame street, I see downfalls.
Technology is changing everyday and it’s almost as if educators are using it as an aid to think – maybe in a different way. I think this event may address this topic. All the kids I know that come from big TV homes could care less about watching it. While restricted children can not look away.
Almost every school we applied to uses a smart board in the classrooms. i think they are replacing the blackboard. Can’t they be used as an interactive computer /teaching tool and like a blackboard as well?
I just worry about them pulling up things from the internet to show the kids on a regular basis. Most schools probably would not do this frequently but this particular school did mention doing this. I was like, I don’t really want my child watching youtube at school. I understand 15 mins a week to show a documentary but not if I don’t know how much… Plus I still think at K they should still have a black board in the class.