- How to use digital technology for children?
- Advantages of giving children access to technology at an early age
- Why do kids need to keep up with child-friendly digital technology?
Today, the world is different from what it was decades ago. Digital technology has transformed the way live, communicate, carry out tasks as well as childhood. Technology is ever-evolving and is certainly here to stay, hence it is important as a parent to adapt to these changes and give your kids access to child-friendly technologies while also giving proper guidance for its use.
The home is the first instance of learning for children followed by peers, school and the church. You can guide your child to use their mobile phone responsibly by modelling responsible phone use yourself. For example, if you want your family meals or any other activities to be device-free, you should start by switching off your phone yourself or putting it away as an example. That way your kids will understand that using their devices during those times is not okay without you even telling them.
Another good technique you can use to guide your children to responsible digital tech use is having a set of rules for its use. These might be rules about what your child can use their phone for, where and when they can use it, and how much they can spend on usage.
You should also regularly talk to your kids about what they are doing on their device or watching online. However, I do not strongly recommend giving your child internet access at an early age but you can download constructive shows you want them to watch and apps you want them to use because the internet is polluted with inappropriate content for children.
The first major advantage in giving your child access to digital technology is empowering them in this digital age. Our economy’s reliance on technology grows every day. For those that are technologically literate, there are many advantages down the road. Early exposure to technology can help kids develop the skills they can use in their work in the future. The need for technical literacy is also growing even in traditionally non-technical fields such as medicine or teaching hence early access is an added advantage.
Digital technology is certainly a platform for learning and development. There are a lot of educational applications that can help children learn and enhance new skills. In the past, we learned using only books, but kids can learn about the same subjects using interactive resources. For example, Mickey mouse counting apples in a tree, that way your child can learn how to count in an interactive and fun way.
Children become interested in learning more languages. If you want your child to start learning English or other languages, get a smartphone or tablet into their hands. Their interest in understanding that content will encourage them to learn other languages. Even if they have not taken actual lessons, your children will surely identify some words in other languages.
Digital technology generates self-confidence in children as they overcome new challenges. When they play games that are suitable for their age, the problems that they overcome promote their confidence and enhances their ability to complete tasks.
Children who get internet access at an early age surely have a competitive advantage over their peers as there are many ways that technology is helping kids grow, learn and be better prepared for the future. But have to be heavily monitored using Apps that control devices your kids will be using.
