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divinagrace
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| Posted: May 17 2007 at 11:24am | IP Logged
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I have a 4 yo that I plan on starting "preschool" (at home) in September. I was wondering how people feel about using the computer or DVDs as part of your children's education at such a young age. When I think long and hard, I believe my son learned his numbers and letters from the computer game "Jump Start Toddlers" and the sounds of letters from a leap frog toy by the age of 2 1/2. We read books together, but I know I didn't have any "formal lessons" with him to teach him these concepts. He will happily play games on the computer, i.e. matching, concentration, bingo, etc., but he will not play these games one-on-one with me with much enthusiasm or focus. I guess my concern and question is will the computer games or educational DVDs hinder the "learning together" aspect with my children?
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 17 2007 at 11:34am | IP Logged
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I have a love/hate relationship with computers, concerning young kids. I do let my dd(5) play on very rare occasions (maybe once a week or less). Usually starfall.com, sometimes other things.And I do see benefit from them. But I think it needs to be very limited at such a young age. I don't want her to end up thinking she has to be glued to a screen to be entertained.
In short, I have similar concerns to yours.
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us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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KerryK
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| Posted: May 17 2007 at 1:06pm | IP Logged
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I agree, it is definately a double-edged sword kind of thing. With my DD (who is now 6), I let her go on once or twice a week. Now she doesn't really express interest in doing it more than that anyway. Now that she can really read she is much more interested in books. Starfall.com, mentioned above, is the site we used. It was excellent for beginning reading.
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New baby Samuel 2/26/07!
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: May 17 2007 at 1:13pm | IP Logged
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I don't let my dd8 or my ds5 use it. I have plenty of books, games, toys, puzzles, etc for them. And I am really trying to limit my time on it as well.
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 Paula
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Celeste
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| Posted: May 17 2007 at 2:03pm | IP Logged
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Personally, I wouldn't use the computer as an educational tool at all from 0-6, and then limited use after that. (DVD's I would limit but probably not ban.) This type of learning is passive, and at the critical 0-6 stage the brain synapses form better with active and multisensory learning.
Some resources I have found helpful:
Failure to Connect: How Computers Affect Our Children's Minds
Endangered Minds
and other Jane Healy books.
Also What's Going on in There? (I love this one).
I think kids learn some things faster with computers; but I think they learn better in the "real" world.
Celeste
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 17 2007 at 2:36pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for the links, Celeste. I have been wanting to read up on this issue.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: May 17 2007 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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I think DVDs can be very effective. We've talked here before about good choices for DVDs. The reality is that occasionally a DVD can both entertain and teach a young child. And, in the case of something like sign language, a DVD can't be beat unless you happen to be proficient yourself or you have a source who can teach in person. Even then, I can't imagine being more delightful or effective than Rachel Coleman.
I think what is most important is to teach children to have the self-discipline to turn the television off. That is, use it, but don't abuse it. And that discipline begins with mom. Half an hour at a time, usually once a day, no more, around here.
Sadly, I've seen homes where "educational TV and videos" are on all the time. Those children usually speak well but they are mostly parrots. They can recite the alphabet in Spanish thanks to Sesame Street or Dora and they can sing every theme song known to child, but they can't hold down a conversation at all. That's because they got all the verbal input without an opportunity to to truly communicate. Houses where educational TV has taken over are noisy and chaotic because someone is always competing for attention over the TV. And attention spans suffer because children grow accustomed to the quickly moving images on the screen.
So, if you use Letter Factory or Signing Time, you need to talk, talk, talk WITH your preschooler about it. You need to watch it to, at least occasionally. In other words, don't bother with Signing Time unless you're going to learn and use the signs, too. And don't bother with Letter Factory unless you plan to extend what is presented on the screen. But if you're committed to doing that, I think the DVDs are excellent, well-produced, educationally sound presentation of valuable, real information.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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graciefaith
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| Posted: May 17 2007 at 8:17pm | IP Logged
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I limit both tv time and pc time. Right now, no tv during the weekdays and it's limited during the weekends. They play some pc games but not a lot, maybe a few times a month. They dont really ask to play often.
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: early learning - various media
