How often are your kids on the computer? I find it's a good activity in the late afternoon while I'm starting to fix dinner because by that time DD is a quite wild and crazy and either needs to go to a playground or sit down and focus on something specific (like the computer, or mold something with clay, paint a picture, etc) The other things take prep and cleanup, though, so I tend to lean towards educational pc games. What about you guys?
My kids "buy" time on the computer (or TV) by reading or doing their chores. That cuts down on their time online and I don't get upset that they haven't done anything else but stare at the screen all day. I also have a bunch of game sites that I have already checked out bookmarked for them. That keeps the surfing down to a minimum and I know what they are playing at.
My oldest (dd 8) is on the computer almost every day. DS is on it about twice or more a week. I have a time "scheduled" in the a.m. for her "computer time". She must play an educational game during that time. I usually go do my thing (shower/dress) while she is on the computer. My kids can also use the computer during the afternoon if they so choose but they would much rather go outside and play on the playground or play games. My children are just not that into pc/video games as some are....but I'm not complaining. :wink:
Valerie... The only kid that gets on the computer every day is my oldest, my 10yo. I really don't like the computer time for my little kids, educational or otherwise until about 6 or 7yo. My oldest was a whiz, but then it got to where it was easier to play an interactive educational game on the computer, than it was to pick up a book that was not so interactive,kwim? I like the computer, because its such a great educational tool, but I place limits on it. I guess my kids too don't really like to get on either, they too prefer to do active things. But here in Texas, its so hot, that its nice to have it when you need it. 8) IMHO, I just guard their time on it now because its harder to stir their imagination with a good book than to see flashes of quick 10 second pictures flash across the screen,kwim? They definitely need to learn it, in this computer age we live in, I just prefer to delay it until there are finding reading a preferred pasttime,kwim? :wink: But I guess the answer is No..No set time to use it.. Blessings
All my kids are on the computer daily. I'm not like Tina, LOL. Rachael was independent with "Dr. Seuss's ABC" when she was two. Someone suggested "Study Dog", and Phillip is working with that now. To be quite honest, it would keep Phillip busy while I was trying to do math or language with the girls. He'll play for a while, then quit and go get his cars or Lego's. He also likes to look at books. Come summer, I will probably limit the time on computers, if I feel they should be outside more. If the weather is nice, I don't want them inside all day, even if they're reading. I'd rather have them outside running and playing.
Tina, I guess it doesn't bother me because Maggie still DOES prefer to sit and read a book, play a game with me, draw a picture, do her math lessons, and basically ANYTHING physical or otherwise over getting on the computer to play a CD game. I look at it as a great suppliment to the education process because she has picked up so much from certain games. For example, the Reader Rabbit Interactive Reading Journey and Int. Math Journey have both been very helpful in reinforcing concepts and skills I've taught her previously. For us, it doesn't take away any time that we would be doing something else, so why not? She learned how to spell her name on the keyboard before she leanred in orally. Then she learned how to write it! :wink:
Valerie.. You know what is so funny, is that my middle child, I don't see getting *hooked* on the computer like my oldest was. He is perfectly content to have a balance between the computer and book time. However, NOT so with my oldest. The difference with my oldest is that he loves ANYTHING that involves technology, even at the tender age of two. He too was able to fully operate the computer and the VCR. Scsry!!! :lol: You know back when we had VCRS :wink: :lol: I would just let the 12:00 blink and blink...until he came along and adjusted it :lol: Matter of fact he loves its soooo much, his brain will not stop thinking about it in order to relax and read a book. I see a lot of my oldest in my 4yo.. I too view it as a suppliment, I just say caveat to those parent of kids whose prefer technology and science over the subjects that are not so interactive. Had I not set real strict rules about it, he would be reading EVERYTHING off it :lol:
As kids get older, they tend to gravitate to the computer more. So while they're young, having rules set-up that they grow up with can be a good idea for a "base", so later you can say, "We've always had this rule!" Believe me, when they're teenagers they suddenly become forgetful of things like that and act shocked when you tell them they have a limit on how long they can stay on the computer! :lol: My kids are 8, 11, and almost 14. We don't have violent (obviously) or games with witchcraft type stuff in them, and some of them actually are educational, yet fun. My oldest does a few things on the computer for schoolwork, but that's different, and allowed. My younger two do some on the computer for school also, but not nearly as much. All my kids read and have outdoor fime and have to have all of their schoolwork done NEATLY and correctly before they can play computer. They are limited to 45 minutes a day. They also have to do a chore of 15 minutes or more before they play. If they go out of their way to be good, do extra chores, read extra, etc. we are open to extra time on the computer if there is time in the schedule for it. This is working for us right now. Computer is learned as part of the curriculum, but playing games on it is a privilege, which can be taken away if abused or certain problems arise. We watch only two shows a week on tv: Extreme Home Makeover and the "How'd They do That?" the next night. Those are positive shows. Once in awhile news or a sports program is watched also. Yesterday evening, after my husband got home and we had supper, we went out as a family and watered plants, pulled weeds and did yardwork for a good 45 minutes to an hour. The kids all worked well, and said it was actually kind of fun, and went faster working together! That was so much better than vegging out in front of the tv or something!!! But I digress, I just wanted to share my experience, cuz everyone was so up about it, it was cool! Rules and priveleges have to change, at leasst somewhat as they get older. I'd just make sure they know that computer isn't a right that they can use when ever they like, it's a privelege! Okay, enough already! :lol:
