Kristen Bergmann has contributed our third and final entry for chapter 5. I think you'll enjoy what she has to say.
She wrote:
The chapter I read talked a lot about the growing technologies in the world today. David Elkind explains that children are being forced to grow up too fast, and are expected to understand technology use at an extremely young age. He continues to explain that companies are coming out with new ideas about how children should learn and spend their playtime. Because the world we live in is growing everyday with new technologies, many are starting to have their children work on their technological skills extremely early. Elkind then begins to talk about “lapware.” Lapware are computer programs and games that allow the child to sit on the lap of a parent or caregiver while using a keyboard and a mouse.
Lapware is designed to help children develop computer skills, and is made for babies 6 months to 4 years. There are characters in lapware that these children can relate to and that catch their interest. Being an 80s baby, I was raised differently than babies are being raised today. The closest I ever got to technological use at such a young age was owning a talking bear. Elkind also has some quotes from professors from Stanford who claim that children at this age need to touch and feel things on their own. They get stimulation everyday in the everyday world. They claim that children should not be around technologies that take away what it’s like to play outside or to grasp and feel their toys and surroundings.
There are also some professors who claim that many children idolize their parents and want to interact with their parents, and do the same things they watch them do. While playing with lapware, they sit on the lap of the parent or caregiver, which is a bonding experience for them. I personally believe that kids should be outside and playing with toys more than being near a computer. There are other ways for a child to bond with her parent or guardian. Growing up, I was always encouraged to spend my free time playing outside and experiencing things on my own. Today our lives revolve around technologies; my old elementary school is now requiring its students to have laptops. I understand the idea is to develop skills early on, but the pressure to grow up and understand a program designed to help you with your technological skills is asking a lot of a 6 month year old baby.
This chapter made me think about how fast paced our world is. The fact that children have to grow up so quickly makes me appreciate the childhood that I had. It seems to me that children are not getting the childhood they deserve, and they should not be deprived of that. I seem to be leaning more towards having more of a normal childhood: going outside and learning on their own and being hands on with objects. They have plenty of time to develop the skills needed for computer and technology use. I strongly believe that children should stay young and be allowed to have that time they need to act like a child.
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Kristen, I couldn’t agree with you more. Children these days are being asked way too often to understand technology that I don’t even understand. I barely can work all the features of my laptop. I remember when we got our first computer; I believe I was in the 5th grade. I didn’t know how to work all the features then, and I still don’t today. I understood a lot about how to open files and save files, but nothing like graphic design on computers. I think it’s crazy for an elementary school to require laptops. Not only is that putting pressure on the children to learn about that technology, but think of the physical strain we’re putting on those children to carry those laptops. Even as an adult, when I carry around my laptop, my shoulders and back hurt; for a child to have to carry one is just ridiculous. I am glad I am not the only one who thinks that. I agree with you, too, that children should be outside, running and exploring their world. Those memories of making things with my siblings are some of my fondest. Those are the experiences that make us who we are today. Nothing could be richer for a child than learning how the world works by experiencing it. I enjoyed reading your take on this chapter. I found that I couldn't stop reading it. I really enjoyed hearing Elkind's take on the technologies of today. It sounds like you enjoyed it as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteKristen, I agree with you that there are other ways for children to bond with their parents, particularly babies. A baby on the lap of a caregiver playing with an electronic toy does not in any way have the same bonding experience as a baby pulling on an adult's finger or playing games with sound, such as cooing. I have a niece who recently turned 3, and she has had a 'laptop' since she was 1&1/2 years old. I have noticed that she gets bored with it playing by herself; however, if someone is playing with her she is more engaged. Unfortunately, most computer programming is not meant to be interactive with more than one person. One of my concerns with the overuse of computers with our children is that it perpetuates isolation. I feel it is more important to foster social interaction because I have seen the effects this has as children get older. Often they have difficulty with relationships,not only because television and computer games are their stable companions; but also because there is a lack of sharing and learning togetherness when so many children work alone on a computer. ~Annette Cipolla
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the chapter and Kristin’s blog, I can’t help but feel that this generation of children is being robbed. It has been stated in magazines and newspapers that this generation is all about technology. USA Today argues this generation is the “igeneration,” and NY Times claims they are “the children of cyber space.” Many seem to be aware of the problem; a professor that was quoted in USA Today even argues that this “igeneration” may be the dumbest yet. But who is doing anything about it?
ReplyDeleteGrowing up as a child, I distinctly remember playing outside, riding bikes and go-karts, and going to dance class, soccer and gymnastics. I don’t remember playing video or computer games. If we were allowed to play inside at all, we would play games like Monopoly or trouble, not use “lapware.” What happened to the times of camping in the nature for quality family bonding, or making a fort with your siblings on the weekends? This generation will not only lack physically but socially as a result of being tech savy.They are missing out on these key experiences as children.
I feel that society is doing an injustice to this generation, and I am appalled that there hasn’t been an uproar from more parents.
I totally agree with Brittany that this generation is being overwhelmed by technology. Not only are there laptops, computer games and video games, but cell phones as well. There is not a day that goes by when I don't see an elementary-aged child holding a cell phone, texting. What happened to the old fashion snail mail? It has been outdated and overlooked since email and texting happened.
ReplyDeleteI remember that first time I ever used a computer to type up a report for school; it took me all day because I didn't get how the keyboard was set up. Now they’re teaching kids to use a computer at 6- months-old; that’s outrageous. However, I do agree that learning technology could be totally awesome for children because by the time they really need to know how to work a computer, they’re not going to be as clueless as we all were.