screen-free kindergarten classrooms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Because our excellent pediatrician has informed us of the literature on developmental delays due to screen time.

Exactly. Some people seem to think anytime a child uses a screen that the child is learning. What are they missing when they stare at a screen?

Exactly. And there is zero evidence supporting the use of screens to teach young children. There's a line somewhere when the benefits outweigh the detriments. No one knows for certain when that is, but somehow the public schools have decided it's age 5, which is baseless and it seems to me pretty ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to think screen time is bad. Why?

Because our excellent pediatrician has informed us of the literature on developmental delays due to screen time.

And does this literature refer to the use of iPads and Promethean boards in kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

My pre-K son uses a computer during his IT class, and I think it's fine. I don't think he's delayed in any way; if anything, he seems more advanced than his siblings we at that age.

Our elementary school also requires iPad for grades 1-5, and it has been a really good experience for the kids. They do group projects using Google Drive and other apps, and it promotes more independent learning (as well as requires less involvement for me in terms of ensuring their homework is done). Since some of the apps are social media-based, the kids can challenge each other on assignments (compete with each other, for points), which gives them repetition and opportunities to figure out where they went wrong. Honestly, I couldn't be happier.

Despite the screen time (and we don't restrict it), my kids still play, read, and do what kids do without screens. And on the playground in the morning, the kids still play hopscotch, jump rope, and play tag.

[Anonymous]

Exactly. Some people seem to think anytime a child uses a screen that the child is learning.

This. It is too easy to put a kid in front of a screen and assume learning is taking place. Without screens, it is much easier to monitor learning through interaction. This is definitely more germane to early childhood education where interaction is developmentally appropriate and necessary.

[Anonymous]

Our elementary school also requires iPad for grades 1-5, and it has been a really good experience for the kids. They do group projects using Google Drive and other apps, and it promotes more independent learning (as well as requires less involvement for me in terms of ensuring their homework is done). Since some of the apps are social media-based, the kids can challenge each other on assignments (compete with each other, for points), which gives them repetition and opportunities to figure out where they went wrong. Honestly, I couldn't be happier.

This is not kindergarten. OP is talking about kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Screens are better than worksheets for sure.
But not better than hands-on learning. The more senses you use while engaging in an activity, the better you learn. It's better to plant and water a real flower than use an app that does the same.

For that reason, IMO, screen time in kindergarten should be either non-existent or very limited.

There's definitely a place for technology in schools, but it really doesn't have to start so young.

[Anonymous]

To round out the thread:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/opinion/sunday/let-the-kids-learn-through-play.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=opinion-c-col-right-region®ion=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region&_r=0

and:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with screens at the elementary school level? They're wonderful, high-interest learning tools. Your child will use Promethean boards, chrome books, and iPads to research and plan writing assignments. They'll record themselves reading throughout the year so they can hear progress. They'll help update websites, record podcasts to share with parents, create powerpoint presentations, graph results, and practice basic facts at their own pace. Technology is not a bad thing!

In my view, "high-interest" is what's wrong with these learning tools.

Except, your view isn't supported or valid.

Research shows that when teens read on screens, their attention wanders much more than when they read in a book. They say so themselves. Why? Because their attention is trained by the nature of the medium to shift constantly when using screens. Research also shows that kids retain more when they write by hand rather than type on a screen. Screens are not necessary for learning. Technology changes. People can learn to use it at work when needed, or later in schooling. To me screens are a distraction from hands-on, face-to face engaged learning. I know others feel differently. Promothean boards generate noise and heat in classrooms. The equipment is incredibly expensive. Computers also train kids away from using their pencils. Using a pencil is absolutely essential in math.

[Anonymous]

My DD's private has no screens for the LS.

[Anonymous]

My son just finished his second year of college. He was taking a laptop to his classes his first year and then (wonderfully as it has turned out) the screen broke. He started using a notebook (gasp) and writing his notes that way. He got his computer fixed, but has never gone back to taking it to his classes. He says that the kids who do that are distracted and that having the computer was not making him a better student. He is not suffering from not using technology as he already knows how to use a computer for many things (and does so when not in his classes). As someone mentioned, technology will continue to change and people will learn how to use it as it does. Schools are, no doubt, not using the technology that will be important to the students in their later careers. Also, I did not use a computer until I was in my late 20's. I use it constantly now and I am gainfully employed and a productive member of society. I do find that I am a much better and faster writer than many younger people (FWIW). So I have two great skill sets instead of one.

[Anonymous]

+100

[Anonymous]

Waldorf. Montessori as well I THINK. And I am on the no screen time front as well. Kids have PLENTY of time to learn how to use technology later on. It takes them about a week. And anything taught via screens can be taught better without. We absolutely make this a priority in picking our children's schools. SOME screen time can be valuable at a later age, I don't have a problem with a computer class, coding class etc. but I do have a problem with iPads being used in every class. Not going to happen for us.