what is normal amount of Chromebook/screen time for 4 year old?

[Anonymous]

Not at all appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what is the chrome book used for? This is the most important question.

My child's K4 class did have a chrome book, but it was used exclusively in the "library" are during choice time. Kids had the option in the library of choosing from a set of books that pre-loaded "read alongs" on the chrome book (which the teacher would launch for them, I believe). They'd watch the video on the lap top of someone reading the book, and then they could spend the rest of choice time exploring the print version of the same book. Kids could also just choose another book or books from the library and not use the chrome book at all -- it was just an option for kids who wanted to have a book read to them during that time, since some kids are not used to exploring books before they know what they say, and these kids couldn't read (there were also wordless books in the class library -- they really covered their bases).

They also did multiple class wide read alongs during the day that didn't involve a computer at all. This was just one of many options available during their "choice" time, which is like a semi-structured free play time with stations that choose from (art, building, puzzles, library, dress up play, etc.).

In K at the same school, kids had a similar option during their "centers" time, but instead of pre-loaded read alongs, they were iPads with phonics-based reading games or math puzzles. It was one of a number of centers, the rest of which did not use screens. Kids had to rotate through centers in K, so they would only wind up on the iPads once or twice a week.

People freak out about screens and technology in ECE classrooms, but there's a way to do it that is developmentally appropriate and simply supports learning and play, without contributing to a lot of passive screen time. Plus the kids do learn some basic computer/tablet skills which come in handy, especially if like us you limit screen time a lot at home.

Now if your kid is spending 15-30 minutes a day in preschool doing games or apps on a Chrome Book, I'd find that concerning. But my experience is that this is not typical.

+1 there is one for the whole class in a "learning station" that's open for an hour a day. Only a few pre-selected books/songs available.

[Anonymous]

My SIL found out her 1st grader was getting screen time in school when her daughter was able to do stuff on her computer she had never shown her.

[Anonymous]

Not appropriate at all. This age should not be given screens at school - period.

We do 0 screens on weekdays and 1 hr tv per day on weekends for my 4 yo.

[Anonymous]

pk4 teacher here: zero
They do not need any screen time. none.
They also don’t need worksheets.

[Anonymous]

My 4 year old get zero screen time at school. This school has one screen, a computer in the administrator's office. No videos, no ipads.

My older DS went to a daycare that gave the older kids tablets at the end of the day, clearly to occupy them for the last few hours. We pulled our kid before he entered that classroom.

My kids do watch screens, and more than I would have liked while they were home for the first year of the pandemic. But it's limited, and my choice.

(I'm still mad at that summer camp that had an indoor movie marathon on a perfectly lovely day.)