Early Learning

She is currently playing a game and listening to music while I do this training... She just got  a new device and is excited to listen to headphone with it for the first time.

She does a fair amount of tanigible book reading, audio book reading, and her device onlt has preapproved brain building apps on it. I should really make her go do something else for awhile though...

I don't have a child in my life, but I have seen way too many parents use technology as a calming device. It is placed into a child's hands to heed off a temper tantrum or to give mommy a moment of peace. The kids were allowed to access whatever they wanted and often used it to find games, take pictures, or watch Cocomelon or other streaming shows. I think technology has its place, but should not be used as a soothing tool. Children need to find ways to self-soothe so they can do so once they enter the classroom. 

I teach in an integrated preschool classroom and I limit the amount of technology that the children use in the classroom.  When we do get out tablets, the children almost go into a trance and cannot focus on anything else other than using that tablet.  They have a hard time separating from the electronics and engaging in other classroom activities. 

After we have them out, they can be more hyped up and less likely to cooperate at times. I have used screen time as a reward and set a timer and that has gone ok.

We prefer to use real books over technology daily.

My own children are young adults. I would have to agree with Gretchen Lawn about children today, and how parents are using technology as a calming device. I would also agree with Gretchen's comment: "I think technology has its place, but should not be used as a soothing tool. Children need to find ways to self-soothe so they can do so once they enter the classroom."

The last technology my daughter used was to watch a cartoon on tv.  I am in the kitchen working, but I can hear what is going on in the show.  I agree that there is a time and place for most everything.  During the summer I tend to be more lax with technology because I also see the other experiences without or in conjunction to.  I know that this is just a short interval in the mad dash to play outside.

My son was reading a digital book checked out from the library before school today.  He knows he can only use tech for reading in the mornings and never is allowed to use tech as a soothing device.

I have 1 adult son and a younger son amd daughter ( ages 20,11, and 6). My youngest children use technology for a variety of purposes: completing essays, homework assignments, playing Switch, Nintendo wii, Wii U, playing word games, practicing math, learning languages, video calling grandma, and so on...

I currently have set time limits,rating limits, and hours games can be used.We also have a mix of technologies/technology purposes from the media consumption pyramid.Even with games, some are played independently, and some we play as a family.

I guess an interaction I could change is, having more discussion about the activities my children are participating in independently.