We have all witnessed the rise of technology in education, especially with the introduction of STEM education in schools. Technology in education is here to stay for a long time. In today’s tech-savvy world, kids and technology have become the best friends. What about parents and technology? Children love using technology. The entertainment and innovation that technology in education brings to children makes it highly impossible for them to resist using it.
Every parent wants his/her child to do really well and become successful in life. It is a fact that children are developing a curiosity and interest in using technology at an early age, all thanks to the use of technology in education. Most parents and teachers feel overwhelmed seeing children learn technology and using technology in their day-to-day life. However, in order to help children learn technology more effectively and strike the perfect balance, parents in the digital age need to be actively involved in learning technology.
Here are some useful suggestions for parents in the digital age.
Model use of good technology
- With the increasing work pressure and expectations of being constantly connected in today’s corporate world, parents may find this difficult to do.
- It is important for parents to increase the offline time in their life, where they are away from the screen, and doing some other activities like reading a book, cycling, playing football, going to the market, and others.
- It is essential for parents to model the use of good technology, so that children look up to them as their role model.
Take interest what the child is doing
- With technology in education, children would be busy doing some activity or the other on their smartphones or tablets.
- A responsible parent is not someone who looks at their child with suspicion.
- The parents in the digital age need to show interest in knowing what their children are doing, which games do they like to play, which rhymes do they like listening to, which stories do they love hearing?
- Taking interest in using technology with kids will help parents foster a stronger bond with their children and reduce the communication gaps with them.
Learn and play with children
- For parents, it is crucial to learn technology and make friends with it.
- Learning and playing together with children will help parents to learn about some new applications, games, and activities.
- Playing with their children means parents are spending a lot of time with them, getting to know their interests and dislikes.
- Parents also come to know which application or game would promote cognitive learning, and which ones need to be kept out.
Family time without tech and gadgets
- Just like adults, it is important for children to switch off from using technology.
- It is important for parents to include some family time, without gadgets, in their calendar every week.
- Children need to take a break from technology in education, at least once in a week, where they spend quality time with their family.
- The technology-free family time is one where the entire family can go on outings, hit the beach, children can be encouraged to play with sand, create shapes, sandcastles, and many other fun-activities.
Set some limits for the child
- Technology in education is really important for a child. But that does not mean they use it irresponsibly.
- Children love playing games on their tablets, or watching their favourite cartoon on YouTube. But, for how many hours?
- Anything in excess is bad, and this is true for technology as well.
- It is crucial for a parent to set some limits for using technology at home.
- Children need to have a dedicated time where they are going out to play with their friends, painting, dancing, drawing, or even reading books.
Muse – A great app that improves connection between a parent and child
Parents in the digital age feel that technology has taken them away from their children. Is this really true?
Read this.
Kane is playing with his 5-year old son in the evening, keeping him entertained, till dinner arrives. Suddenly, a text appears on the phone. Kane felt distracted immediately, and went to check his phone. This time it was not an official email from his company, but a well-timed suggestion from an app named ‘Muse’ installed on his phone.
Here is what the message from Muse said.
Try playing ‘hide and seek’ with your son in the house, and get others involved too.
So, Kane follows the instructions exactly. It was really fun for the entire family.
Muse is an AI-powered app designed by Vivienne Ming, a neuroscientist and technology entrepreneur.
It is specifically designed to help family’s bond together, encourage children to grow, and keep them happier.
Just like Muse, there are several AI apps and techniques that can help parents understand their kids much better. AI for parents can help them predict better, become better parents, and contribute positively to parenting.
After the pandemic, there has been a great increase in technology in education. Children are spending more time in front of the screen. Kids spend nearly 4-6 hours in a day either watching or using the screens. It is vital for parents to learn technology and start guiding their children on using technology in education right from an early age.Technology in education has infinite potential to improve a child’s life. However, overuse of it is equally bad for the children.
