As I read Rethinking Early Childhood Education from p. 75-83. It made me think is it necessary to have computers in the classroom for preschool children. In my opinion, I don't really think children at this young age need to go on the computer or learn how to use it. I feel that it's more for children of ages 6 or 7 and up to learn about computers. According to the text on p. 75 "The time spent with computers in the early years not only subtracts from important developmental task but may also entrench bad learning habits, leading to poor motivation and even symptoms of learning disabilities." In our preschool program we don't have computers for the children to use however, they can learn by doing hands on activities and develop other skills such as, problem solving, building their social and emotional skills, developing their gross motor and fine motor body movements, cooperate and play well with other children, and dramatic play or being creative, etc. The text also explains that with young children it is even more important than with older ones to determine what we want them to learn before choosing the technology to do the job (Rethinking Early Childhood Education p. 81). However, in some ways technology can be both beneficial to children and adults. So I ask this question, Do you think computers are appropriate or inappropriate for young children? What can they learn from a computer at ages 3-5?
In Chapter, 2 of New Possibilities for Early Childhood Education the author talked about three different women Bertha, Diane, and Olivia on their experience as mothers in poverty who were also being treated unfairly because of their cultural backgrounds. I though that Diane's story was emotional to read about because she is a single mother who was on welfare and working hard to support herself and her children. Then she became ill with diabetes and high blood pressure. She had to put her college career and job on hold and waited until she became well again to continue college. After reading about Diane's story I thought about families at our preschool and how hard it must be for them to work and provide an eduation for their children. What can we do to help families get through their time in poverty?
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Is it enough to families when programs provide early education and care for their children? It is often an obstacle for families to begin to be able to figure out how to make the best of what resources they have and I always thought that it was a pivoting point for families to know that at least their children's education and care needs were met. All the while families could care for their other children or have time to work. What do you think? How else can programs help families?
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteYour discussion and question link issues of poverty and technology. The link made me think if the presence of technology is necessary in order to provide access to technology for those without access. If a child is not exposed to computer or other forms of technology, does the child have less of an advantage in schools?
I also wonder if we are considering computers from a very limited point-of-view -- as using the computer only for computer games -- very low interaction and possible thinking for children. What if the children use the computer as a tool? For example, documenting the week-long build of a city made from blocks. Reviewing the documentation to make a short film and then deciding what comes next in the curriculum. Does this change how technology is viewed?
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne, I see where you are coming from with your documentation idea and it is similar the the response you wrote on my blog. However, does it have to be done with a computer? the children could document their work through observations and drawings, taking pictures and making posters. I still feel that the mediem is not hands on enough for young children....although, this would be a much better use than playing games!
ReplyDeleteAloha Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post this week. I don't know any reason why computers are seen as necessary in a preschool or how they might be used in a developmentally appropriate manner.
As for Diane's story... it is a very tricky thing to become a support system for a family. I say that because we are only human and compassion comes naturally when working in our field yet we must remain professional and not get too attached to any specific family. I can say the usual answer; that to help a family in poverty is to give them information on scholarships to cut costs.
I agree with you that computers in a preschool classroom are not the best idea. There are so many other things that the children could be spending their time on. One thing we talked about in another class was watching how much “screen time” young children are receiving. This included things such as video games, television and computers. Yes, sometimes children do have fun using the computer but they can have fun with a lot of other things as well. Painting on a computer can sometimes be frustrating, but painting with real paint is pretty basic. I guess they do put learning games on computers but children can learn just as much in not more from the teacher and it can even be made into a group learning experience so that social skills are strengthened as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is very unfair for families to be treated differently from others because of influences they had no control over such as culture. Everyone has a story and some people are experiencing very difficult times and we may not even know about it. As far as helping them, I guess I could just keep my ear open for opportunities for them. I could recommend or ask about different services that they might be able to receive. I could also show them love and be sympathetic to their needs.
You mentioned that children can learn a variety of skills by doing hands-on activities and it seemed like you were suggesting that a computer cannot help children to learn certain skills. I agree with you that the use of computers should not take the place of hands-on, play-based learning for young children. However, I also feel that, assuming that children have access to the equipment, using a computer in conjunction with a digital camera to allow children to document their work, for example, would supplement the child’s learning experience. What other ways could a computer be used to supplement children’s hands-on learning?
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