Helping your child at home
Children and Technology - Getting the Balance Right
In this technological age, it's never been more important for parents to be aware of what gadgets and devices are appropriate for their child. Click here to read this article written by Click IT's Founder Wendy Petersen and published in Families Magazine in October 2011.
Thank you to www.kidsandcomputers.co.uk for allowing us to reproduce the information below: KidsAndComputers.co.uk - advice on children's computer safety, fun and education
Computers are a huge part of modern life and becoming more so as all our digital devices become pocket sized, and wireless. But will all this technology damage our children, or should we let them embrace their computer future?
Underaged Users
Some experts suggest letting your child get familiar with a computer from as young as a few weeks but most agree that two is probably the youngest age at which they will get any positive stimulus from the computer.For children this young, limit their computer time to a few minutes a day and don't force it. Most two year olds won't sit still for ten minutes anyway so they are good at self regulating.
There is no scientific proof that computing is bad for toddlers but educational and development experts believe that extended periods of time at the computer can cause problems with creating social bonds in later childhood.
Children with no computer experience have been shown to struggle when they get to school and have to keep up with other kids who have been using them for a couple of years.
In Moderation
Even with older children computer time should be limited. For preschoolers keep it to less than thirty minutes per day and school aged kids should be limited to two hours of ‘screen time' (including TV) per day to avoid eye strain and over stimulation.
Computer addiction is a serious problem and is increasingly common in kids who spend long periods of time on the computer, especially those using the internet or playing fast paced games. The level of stimulation that these games offer results in children needing more and more stimulus in ‘real' life in order to concentrate.
Computer addiction is rare in children who use the computer for reasonable blocks of time.
Educational Advantages
Do computers help or hinder children's learning ability? It depends on how they are used. Computers can offer huge learning advantages in maths and literacy as well as transferable skills such as problem solving, motor skills, memory and spatial awareness. Even some computer games help to hone these skills and can help children learn new skills.
Some studies do suggest that computers can help children with learning difficulties as the interactive interface makes it easier for them to concentrate on the task given to them.
Make Life Fun
Childhood is supposed to be fun and as part of a balanced lifestyle including outdoor play and other more social activities computing is a perfectly safe past time. Whether your child is using the computer for craft projects, to meet friends with similar interests or to play games as long as you are happy that the content is appropriate then they will get a lot from the experience.
Little Skeletons
One area of concern with children and computing is that it can damage their physical development if they are not sitting properly and taking regular breaks. Get your child into good habits early on and you'll save them years of back ache in later life.
FREE Children's Activities on the web
We have searched and found some fantastic activities for your children. We always recommend adult supervision whilst your child is working on the internet and some sites contain advertising promotions. We will update you with any new sites that we find.
CBeebies:Teletubbies Animal Parade - In this activity children match almost identical animals to create a 'Noah's Ark' parade.
Early Years Foundation Stage Activities - CBeebies - Choose from 21 different activities.
Fun with Spot - have fun playing different activities as well as creating your own story.
Lil' Fingers - an American site with some great educational games.
Traditional Nursery Rhymes - over 25 nursery rhymes to listen to and join in with.
Animal Homes - A fun activity introducing young children to animal sounds and where they live.
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
Bob the Builder
Children's Software
We use the latest and the very best educational software but is often very expensive for parents to buy. We do recommend that you use online websites to complement your child's computer skills alongside what they are learning with us. Alternatively, we have sourced an affordable trio of software as well as a child sized mouse and mouse mat that is well suited to Improver level and above. Please click here for more info.
Remember, if they are following the Click IT course, they are already following a structured, comprehensive educational programme. To complement what they are learning with us, we recommend software that is both fun and educational. This will allow your child to work more independently on the computer and build up on all the mouse skills they are learning with us. The beauty of 'playing' on the computer is that your child is learning new skills and practising old ones all the time without even realising it. Many parents also ask us what software packages we are using so that they can buy them for their children at home. As well as being very expensive it is not possible for us to recommend just one piece of software. It is more beneficial for your child to have access to a variety of different media as well as using the internet for access to free activities.