Last question today.Like I said I don't want to flood the board. Anyhow kids will spend hours compulsively playin on the computer or playstation. I want to use that with Nathan & we already have quite a few software titles even though he's only 4. I just wonder what the possible negatives of alot of computer learning games could be though ???
Sami has lots of learning games and she spends time on them regularly. I think the negatives are that they don't necessarily cover what you need to cover for a particular day. I think they are a great supplement, but I wouldn't want to have a kid on the computer all day --too much sitting and not enough Hands-on things where they really get into it. Especially the little ones.. they need to get up and move around alot! I've seen a full computer curriculum be very good for some High Schoolers though. (It feels odd for me to say something negative about computers, I'm the computer teacher who keeps and does everything on the computer.)
I don't like how some are glorified cartoons. My little one plays Richard Scary games at the library and I don't see much value in them. I do like Reader Rabbit, Curious George phonics and The Land Before Time programs.
You know, RB, Leapfrog has a hand held gameboy kind of thing now called Leapster, I think. You can get these games for it. Your 4 yr old might not be ready for it, though.
Gracie has a Leapster and it's a great educational toy. You can get the same Leapfrog videos (Talking Word Factory, etc.) in a video and game format. Right now, all her games are too easy- so we have to think about new ones for Christmas, but I love it because it's like a gameboy (and Gracie loves Ashley's gameboy) but yet it's all educational stuff. She does have some good, educational computer games too. Like you, Becky, I like to look for the ones that I know are educational- instead of just cartoony (if that's a word!)
Negatives (for me) would be the lack of interaction between parent and child... that's not to say that we don't use computer software, but we use it to ENHANCE what we teach and I'm not far away when they use the computer...
Also lack of creativity. Even "interactive" games are rather passive. Sure, there's a place for them, but there's also a place for kids running around outside, playing dress-up, dolls, soldier, or whatever. Has anyone read the book, "The Plugged-In Drug"? It dealt specifically with television, but I heard the author has revised the book to include information on computers. I would like to see what she has to say.
I think most are pretty superficial and therefor don't really get to the "good stuff" or they allow the child to skip the informational sections and just go through with a very basic understanding and not true mastery...this can get the child in trouble when it comes time to apply skills already learned to those more difficult. I would agree that they are great sometimes for reinforcement or more for fun even but more instruction is definately nec.
RB, I have a little boy who loves the computer. He doesn't play playstation at all (he's probably a bit too young yet), but he loves his computer games. All of the things he plays with are educational. I don't think there are many negatives with letting children play on the computer. If anything they gain many positives...small motor control, computer literacy, educational fundamentals, problem solving...just to name a few. The only negative I can see is that it probably isn't all that great for eye sight and the wrists (CP syndrome). But as far as eduacating...I think computers are a GREAT resource for parents and teachers. My son is SO computer literate it's mind boggling. As I can think is "maybe he'll be a computer wiz someday"...you never know. It shouldn't take place of teaching or one on one attention with studies, but it can be a great tool in learning when used correctly. As far as playstation, I think it really depends on what games the child is playing. Again, small motor control is a plus with any game, but if they aren't educational games I would limit them, but let my son still enjoy something he is interested in (within reason of course, none of those aweful violent games). I grew up playing Nintendo (seems like ages ago) and in all honesty, it helped me focus and it helped with hand and eye coordination. Nothing is bad in moderation. I would say moderation is key.
Here are the titles of software and websites my son LOVES: www.noggin.com www.sesameworkshop.com http://disney.go.com/playhouse/today/index.html www.hitentertainment.com/thomasandfriends/usa/ www.nickjr.com http://pbskids.org www.starfall.com http://games.funschool.com/games.php?level=1 http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/default.htm JumpStart Kindergarten JumpStart Preschool Blues Clues Preschool Blues Clues Reading Time Activities Smart Steps Kindergarten Reader Rabbit Preschool Reader Rabbit Kindergarten Also, my son likes things he can learn himself. I also run a preschool/daycare out of my home so I have not only him to deal with, but 4 other kids his age (soon to be 6) so I use the computer for learning center time in my preschool. I am a hands on teacher, but I use the computer as means of letting them explore on their own and become more computer literate. One more thing, sometimes my son just doesn't want to sit down with mommy and learn...he wants to learn by himself...aren't boys so wonderfully stubborn and independent?
We have 2 of the LeapFrog videos and all my kids love them. My son also has the Leap Pad Plus Writing system that he adores. Since we have gotten it I can see an improvement with his small motor and pencil control.
The Leap Frog products are wonderfully educational. I have heard so many parents raving about the videos and how they have really helped their children with things that they can't seem to pick up in their school settings. We have a Leap Pad also, and Gracie has enjoyed many hours of playing/learning with that as well.
Jen, is it true nickjr is starting to charge a fee to play their games? We can't even access their games because we have dialup.
I haven't noticed any fees and Tanner plays on them all the time. We have DSL, so maybe they are just taking so long to load up? We have a laptop that is hooked to DSL and even that can get slow because it's really not equiped for what we all use it for, but on my mom and dads computer (they have a normal PC with DSL) it loads up quick and Tanner can access the games on theirs a little easier without any problems. If I notice a fee I'll let you know, but I haven't had to pay anything so far...and if I do...he wont be playing them anymore because there are too many free ones that he can play just the same.
DD used Switched on Schoolhouse last year for 6th grade part of the year. It was way to much reading and sitting still using the computer for hours on end. I didn't like it at all and she got tired of all the reading.
