Kindergartners and email/texts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's particularly cognitively advanced. Most 3 year olds I know can take a pic with an iPhone by accessing the app, etc. It's not a challenging executive functioning exercise.

What it is though is a values thing. Are you comfortable with your child being familiar with your phone? Are you comfortable with them acting as if it is theirs and grabbing it when they get a bit older? Or accessing it and using it without your knowledge?

But my family is somewhat anti-screen, and our smart phones are for adult use only, with very rare occasions of supervised use for an educational app.

+1. Our kids (3.5 and 7) don't get to access screens (of any kind) on their own. It's pretty atypical in today's day and age, but thanks to our no-screen rule, our 7 year old is a prolific reader and reads for a few hours each day along with shooting hoops...

You're not the only one, but I hope I'm not as smug as you!!

Well we have very limited screen time as well, and a non-prolific reader. Your child's reading is not necessarily a result of no screens.

I'm the PP. We're similar. Very limited screen time. One very advanced reader/writer, and one at/just above grade level so far.

For us, the limited screen time is not just about their academic skills (reading, writing, math).

It's also about their self-management, emotional, and social skills.

We've found that removing screen time as an option has cleared even more space for them to just "be" -- with each other, with us, with their friends, and with themself (personal downtime without a screen for external stimulation/distraction.)

Again, I'm not so smug as to suggest this is the ONLY way to support kids in developing these traits and skills. Just that I believe it's helped a great deal in our house.

As always, there are lots of different ways to create a happy, healthy home and to raise happy, healthy kids!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's particularly cognitively advanced. Most 3 year olds I know can take a pic with an iPhone by accessing the app, etc. It's not a challenging executive functioning exercise.

What it is though is a values thing. Are you comfortable with your child being familiar with your phone? Are you comfortable with them acting as if it is theirs and grabbing it when they get a bit older? Or accessing it and using it without your knowledge?

But my family is somewhat anti-screen, and our smart phones are for adult use only, with very rare occasions of supervised use for an educational app.

+1. Our kids (3.5 and 7) don't get to access screens (of any kind) on their own. It's pretty atypical in today's day and age, but thanks to our no-screen rule, our 7 year old is a prolific reader and reads for a few hours each day along with shooting hoops...

HAHAHAH! My kid likes to watch American Ninja Warrior, loves to read and is a fabulous athlete. How do you justify that?

[Anonymous]

Advanced? I doubt it. The more important question is why your five year old is using technology? He's far too young and there is plenty more he needs to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartner can't read, so no, she doesn't do this.

She does try to steal my phone all the time to take pictures or play pokemon. I rarely let her near it since it's my only phone and if she broke it or messed it up I'd be scrambling.

They have Ipads in her K class, so I hear no complaints about that, just excitement that she gets to use one.

Do you like when she does this?

If not, how do you respond?

Do you set clear boundaries/expectations? For example, "Larla! Put that down please. My phone is not a toy. It's for grown ups only."

Do you impose consequences when she doesn't listen? For example, "Larla! I know you think my phone is fun. But it's not a toy. And it's not yours. You seem to have trouble listening and respecting my things today. Let's take a break from X tonight to see if it helps you listen better."

Serious suggestions above.

I'm hard core about our phones. They're expensive pieces of technology. They're not toys. DH and I have always been clear about this. Neither of our children grab or try to "steal" them without permission.

I'm always amazed when their friends come over and try to do that -- with MY phone. They literally grab it off the counter or try to grab it from my hand to see the pictures I've just taken.

Think about that for a second. They're literally trying to grab something that does not belong to them, and sometimes from someone else's hand. Total lack of impulse control.

I don't hesitate to say the same to them that I do with my own kids.

"Larlo! Please put the phone down. It's not yours."

Or "Larla! Please don't grab the phone from me. It's not yours. I'll show you the pictures if you give me a little space."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartner can't read, so no, she doesn't do this.

She does try to steal my phone all the time to take pictures or play pokemon. I rarely let her near it since it's my only phone and if she broke it or messed it up I'd be scrambling.

They have Ipads in her K class, so I hear no complaints about that, just excitement that she gets to use one.

Do you like when she does this?

If not, how do you respond?

Do you set clear boundaries/expectations? For example, "Larla! Put that down please. My phone is not a toy. It's for grown ups only."

Do you impose consequences when she doesn't listen? For example, "Larla! I know you think my phone is fun. But it's not a toy. And it's not yours. You seem to have trouble listening and respecting my things today. Let's take a break from X tonight to see if it helps you listen better."

Serious suggestions above.

I'm hard core about our phones. They're expensive pieces of technology. They're not toys. DH and I have always been clear about this. Neither of our children grab or try to "steal" them without permission.

I'm always amazed when their friends come over and try to do that -- with MY phone. They literally grab it off the counter or try to grab it from my hand to see the pictures I've just taken.

Think about that for a second. They're literally trying to grab something that does not belong to them, and sometimes from someone else's hand. Total lack of impulse control.

I don't hesitate to say the same to them that I do with my own kids.

"Larlo! Please put the phone down. It's not yours."

Or "Larla! Please don't grab the phone from me. It's not yours. I'll show you the pictures if you give me a little space."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's particularly cognitively advanced. Most 3 year olds I know can take a pic with an iPhone by accessing the app, etc. It's not a challenging executive functioning exercise.

What it is though is a values thing. Are you comfortable with your child being familiar with your phone? Are you comfortable with them acting as if it is theirs and grabbing it when they get a bit older? Or accessing it and using it without your knowledge?

But my family is somewhat anti-screen, and our smart phones are for adult use only, with very rare occasions of supervised use for an educational app.

+1. Our kids (3.5 and 7) don't get to access screens (of any kind) on their own. It's pretty atypical in today's day and age, but thanks to our no-screen rule, our 7 year old is a prolific reader and reads for a few hours each day along with shooting hoops...

HAHAHAH! My kid likes to watch American Ninja Warrior, loves to read and is a fabulous athlete. How do you justify that?

Great news!

Your approach seems to work for your kid!!

The no-screen rule seems to work for PP's family!!

Isn't that cool?

There are so many different ways to raise good kids!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartner can't read, so no, she doesn't do this.

She does try to steal my phone all the time to take pictures or play pokemon. I rarely let her near it since it's my only phone and if she broke it or messed it up I'd be scrambling.

They have Ipads in her K class, so I hear no complaints about that, just excitement that she gets to use one.

Do you like when she does this?

If not, how do you respond?

Do you set clear boundaries/expectations? For example, "Larla! Put that down please. My phone is not a toy. It's for grown ups only."

Do you impose consequences when she doesn't listen? For example, "Larla! I know you think my phone is fun. But it's not a toy. And it's not yours. You seem to have trouble listening and respecting my things today. Let's take a break from X tonight to see if it helps you listen better."

Serious suggestions above.

I'm hard core about our phones. They're expensive pieces of technology. They're not toys. DH and I have always been clear about this. Neither of our children grab or try to "steal" them without permission.

I'm always amazed when their friends come over and try to do that -- with MY phone. They literally grab it off the counter or try to grab it from my hand to see the pictures I've just taken.

Think about that for a second. They're literally trying to grab something that does not belong to them, and sometimes from someone else's hand. Total lack of impulse control.

I don't hesitate to say the same to them that I do with my own kids.

"Larlo! Please put the phone down. It's not yours."

Or "Larla! Please don't grab the phone from me. It's not yours. I'll show you the pictures if you give me a little space."

Why the eye roll? Would you handle this differently?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's particularly cognitively advanced. Most 3 year olds I know can take a pic with an iPhone by accessing the app, etc. It's not a challenging executive functioning exercise.

What it is though is a values thing. Are you comfortable with your child being familiar with your phone? Are you comfortable with them acting as if it is theirs and grabbing it when they get a bit older? Or accessing it and using it without your knowledge?

But my family is somewhat anti-screen, and our smart phones are for adult use only, with very rare occasions of supervised use for an educational app.

+1. Our kids (3.5 and 7) don't get to access screens (of any kind) on their own. It's pretty atypical in today's day and age, but thanks to our no-screen rule, our 7 year old is a prolific reader and reads for a few hours each day along with shooting hoops...

HAHAHAH! My kid likes to watch American Ninja Warrior, loves to read and is a fabulous athlete. How do you justify that?

Great news!

Your approach seems to work for your kid!!

The no-screen rule seems to work for PP's family!!

Isn't that cool?

There are so many different ways to raise good kids!!

Except PP is a smug asshole, and judging families for using screens, and clearly thinks she's superior. Therein lies the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartner can't read, so no, she doesn't do this.

She does try to steal my phone all the time to take pictures or play pokemon. I rarely let her near it since it's my only phone and if she broke it or messed it up I'd be scrambling.

They have Ipads in her K class, so I hear no complaints about that, just excitement that she gets to use one.

Do you like when she does this?

If not, how do you respond?

Do you set clear boundaries/expectations? For example, "Larla! Put that down please. My phone is not a toy. It's for grown ups only."

Do you impose consequences when she doesn't listen? For example, "Larla! I know you think my phone is fun. But it's not a toy. And it's not yours. You seem to have trouble listening and respecting my things today. Let's take a break from X tonight to see if it helps you listen better."

Serious suggestions above.

I'm hard core about our phones. They're expensive pieces of technology. They're not toys. DH and I have always been clear about this. Neither of our children grab or try to "steal" them without permission.

I'm always amazed when their friends come over and try to do that -- with MY phone. They literally grab it off the counter or try to grab it from my hand to see the pictures I've just taken.

Think about that for a second. They're literally trying to grab something that does not belong to them, and sometimes from someone else's hand. Total lack of impulse control.

I don't hesitate to say the same to them that I do with my own kids.

"Larlo! Please put the phone down. It's not yours."

Or "Larla! Please don't grab the phone from me. It's not yours. I'll show you the pictures if you give me a little space."

Why the eye roll? Would you handle this differently?

I would say "please don't touch that phone, thanks."

I would not say "think about that for a second ... total lack of impulse control."

YMMV.

[Anonymous]

PSA to the smug no screen moms - your kids won't be any more well-rounded than the kid who knows how to take a pic or send a text to Grandma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PSA to the smug no screen moms - your kids won't be any more well-rounded than the kid who knows how to take a pic or send a text to Grandma.

Again, it's not about being well-rounded. This isn't about academic skills.

It's about social, emotional and self-management skills.

http://www.casel.org/core-competencies/

Maybe your kids are already terrific in those areas. And maybe they will always be that way. If so, that's great.

My opinion is more screen time makes that more challenging at all ages (preschool, elementary, middle school, high school.) So we limit screen time. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's particularly cognitively advanced. Most 3 year olds I know can take a pic with an iPhone by accessing the app, etc. It's not a challenging executive functioning exercise.

What it is though is a values thing. Are you comfortable with your child being familiar with your phone? Are you comfortable with them acting as if it is theirs and grabbing it when they get a bit older? Or accessing it and using it without your knowledge?

But my family is somewhat anti-screen, and our smart phones are for adult use only, with very rare occasions of supervised use for an educational app.

+1. Our kids (3.5 and 7) don't get to access screens (of any kind) on their own. It's pretty atypical in today's day and age, but thanks to our no-screen rule, our 7 year old is a prolific reader and reads for a few hours each day along with shooting hoops...

HAHAHAH! My kid likes to watch American Ninja Warrior, loves to read and is a fabulous athlete. How do you justify that?

Great news!

Your approach seems to work for your kid!!

The no-screen rule seems to work for PP's family!!

Isn't that cool?

There are so many different ways to raise good kids!!

Except PP is a smug asshole, and judging families for using screens, and clearly thinks she's superior. Therein lies the difference.

Eh. Let it go. Sounds like your kid is thriving and you're happy with your choices. Other people's judgments pale in comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's particularly cognitively advanced. Most 3 year olds I know can take a pic with an iPhone by accessing the app, etc. It's not a challenging executive functioning exercise.

What it is though is a values thing. Are you comfortable with your child being familiar with your phone? Are you comfortable with them acting as if it is theirs and grabbing it when they get a bit older? Or accessing it and using it without your knowledge?

But my family is somewhat anti-screen, and our smart phones are for adult use only, with very rare occasions of supervised use for an educational app.

+1. Our kids (3.5 and 7) don't get to access screens (of any kind) on their own. It's pretty atypical in today's day and age, but thanks to our no-screen rule, our 7 year old is a prolific reader and reads for a few hours each day along with shooting hoops...

HAHAHAH! My kid likes to watch American Ninja Warrior, loves to read and is a fabulous athlete. How do you justify that?

Great news!

Your approach seems to work for your kid!!

The no-screen rule seems to work for PP's family!!

Isn't that cool?

There are so many different ways to raise good kids!!

Except PP is a smug asshole, and judging families for using screens, and clearly thinks she's superior. Therein lies the difference.

Eh. Let it go. Sounds like your kid is thriving and you're happy with your choices. Other people's judgments pale in comparison.

You know what? You're right and thanks for setting me straight, truly. Happy holidays to you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's particularly cognitively advanced. Most 3 year olds I know can take a pic with an iPhone by accessing the app, etc. It's not a challenging executive functioning exercise.

What it is though is a values thing. Are you comfortable with your child being familiar with your phone? Are you comfortable with them acting as if it is theirs and grabbing it when they get a bit older? Or accessing it and using it without your knowledge?

But my family is somewhat anti-screen, and our smart phones are for adult use only, with very rare occasions of supervised use for an educational app.

+1. Our kids (3.5 and 7) don't get to access screens (of any kind) on their own. It's pretty atypical in today's day and age, but thanks to our no-screen rule, our 7 year old is a prolific reader and reads for a few hours each day along with shooting hoops...

HAHAHAH! My kid likes to watch American Ninja Warrior, loves to read and is a fabulous athlete. How do you justify that?

Great news!

Your approach seems to work for your kid!!

The no-screen rule seems to work for PP's family!!

Isn't that cool?

There are so many different ways to raise good kids!!

Except PP is a smug asshole, and judging families for using screens, and clearly thinks she's superior. Therein lies the difference.

Eh. Let it go. Sounds like your kid is thriving and you're happy with your choices. Other people's judgments pale in comparison.

You know what? You're right and thanks for setting me straight, truly. Happy holidays to you

Peace!

[Anonymous]

I got a note today from his teacher that he's been upset going to computer lab because he doesn't like the typing game they play, and she thinks it's because he's not good at it and/or not comfortable with technology.


My guess is he finds typing much harder than texting..