=If you have a young child then you probably recognize that technology is becoming more and more ingrained in their lives. Technology touches almost every aspect of our children from school work to communication to playing. Here are 10 Tips that every preschool parent needs to know to raise a well rounded technology savvy kid!
First 5 Technology Tips for your Preschool child
- Technology is for Communication. Start out by using technology as often as you can for communicating. Most people associated their phones with a major part of their technology strategy. Phone calls are slowly being replaced by facetime and text messaging requiring us to ensure our children see technology as a communication method.
- Be a good Role Model. The most important thing we can do for our young children is to set them up to succeed by role modeling expected behavior. It’s confusing and sends the wrong message if you tell your children they can’t do something and then you do it.
- Make sure your child plays with other toys. Like most things in your preschool child’s life you have to ensure they aren’t spending to much time on any one thing. Technology is no exception.
- Set Limits. Children expect and need limits on the things they do. This sets them up to expect boundaries later in life.
- Do your Research. Look into all the apps you let your children use. Make sure you understand what they are doing and when. Just because something is rated for preschool aged children doesn’t automatically make it a good choice.
Additional Tech Tips for your preschooler
- Don’t Let Technology run your life. To often we allow technology to dictate how we act and interact with others. Ensure you don’t limit your experiences based on techology needs. This includes meal time and other family designated times. Preschool aged children need to learn how to socialize with older children and adults as well.
- Say NO! Saying NO is encouraged and should be utilized as necessary. Give yourself permission to disappoint your child. Set clear expectations and stick to them saying NO to children is acceptable.
- Start early discussions on Safety. As we move more and more into the techology age, it’s so important to ensure our children understand online safety. This includes cyber bullying, predators and technology impacts that may be negative experiences.
- Combine Technology and Outdoor Activities. Technology interactions on our phones, ipads and other devices make it easy to combine them with other play and outdoor type activities. These devides are portable making it easy to take with you wherver you are going. This can include games that encourage physical movement, or learning about plants and animals they see everyday.
- Screen Time doesn’t equal Alone Time. Do not allow technology to be a substitute babysitter for your children. Preschool aged kids need to know that watching tv, playing on a tablet or other technology device doesn’t automatically mean they are by themselves.
In conculusion the 10 Tips for technology are:
- Technology is for Communication – Facetime with relatives or family friends.
- Be a good Role Model – This isn’t just good advice for technology, this is good parenting advice in general.
- Make sure your child plays with other toys – Ensuring your child gets adequate outdoor time and play time along with technology time are important to their well being.
- Set Limits – Set time limits, how to use limits and where to use technology based on your family.
- Do your Research – Stay informed and be involved.
- Don’t Let Technology run your life – Put the screens away sometimes and ensure you children are learning social skills.
- Say NO – Stick to your predetermined limits and expectations.
- Start early discussions on Safety – Age appropriate conversations regarding this topics are and need to be a part of your overall technology strategy!
- Combine Technology and Outdoor Activities – Use your technology to learn about the things they see or do. Or use it to help them create a vision board.
- Screen Time doesn’t equal Alone Time – Spend time together learning and playing with technology.
