tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566592273097029027.post8504502818003065476..comments2023-06-13T02:41:54.807-07:00Comments on Open Heart Teaching: Why kids don't need iPadsScott Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295087112174761597noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566592273097029027.post-26381324024904192682014-03-19T16:50:23.447-07:002014-03-19T16:50:23.447-07:00I don't think it's evil to give your kids ...I don't think it's evil to give your kids that stuff, but I'm glad we don't have any of those devices in our home.. Reading say, Charlotte's Web, on a screen vs.in a book is not the issue (as mombrarian tends to imply), but the more important issue is whether these devices are replacing our relationships and life skills. Our two kids will inevitably be exposed to video games, ipads,etc.,regardless of our stance. Parents have more of a responsibility than ever to protect family dinners, game night, playtime and face time. Our three year old watches Netflix and talks to Grandma on a cell phone, but she also has tons of art supplies, helps me chef it up in the kitchen, and waters Daddy's plants. It's up to us to set boundaries with technology and maximize exposure to what's real.<br />Rachel Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15514158705939885001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566592273097029027.post-85695577829559076462014-03-19T13:15:23.839-07:002014-03-19T13:15:23.839-07:00Very insightful and interesting to hear the longit...Very insightful and interesting to hear the longitudinal view from a mother's perspective. My dad and I would also bring home a big box of books from the library. Library night was one of the best nights of the week when I was little. Thank you for commenting!<br />Scott Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14295087112174761597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566592273097029027.post-17525405260179315242014-03-19T12:27:16.671-07:002014-03-19T12:27:16.671-07:00Nice. I just read the mombrarian blog posted by a ...Nice. I just read the mombrarian blog posted by a friend yesterday, and I was thought, "Huh, I hadn't thought of it this way..." But now you fire back. Nice debate. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05663544415445534195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566592273097029027.post-11750835536391023682014-03-19T08:12:00.112-07:002014-03-19T08:12:00.112-07:00Scott, I totally agree with you. My background i...Scott, I totally agree with you. My background is in child development, and I taught preschool for years, have worked with all other age-groups in educational settings (including higher ed) and have raised two amazing daughters of my own. I did what I could to limit their screen time-we didn't have a TV. My kids entertained themselves making forts indoors & out. I have trunks full of their beautiful writing and visual art. They learned to play musical instruments, practiced martial arts and just played their hearts out. We took weekly trips to the library and filled a large box with books, which they devoured. They helped in the kitchen and with the pets and played family games. We went camping. My kids both learned all they needed to know about technology once they entered high school. That's when they got cell phones, because cell phones meant that as they became more autonomous, I was less worried if I could reach them. My oldest graduates university this year with a 4.0. My youngest is going to be a senior in high school and leads a very balanced life, taking time for herself to read and relax instead of pushing herself too hard. They are both themselves; each her own person. They are highly skilled socially and have tons of friends and make good decisions based on their inner instincts and intellect. I didn't want too much media bombardment to steer them away from their nature and their sense of wonder and love of learning… and I was successful, but they are more so. My youngest says she missed the days when folks didn't have to communicate through text messaging and computers. She values real connections and seeks them out regularly. I am sad when I see families sitting down together playing on devices instead of engaging. I'm worried about what will happen to their imagination and their creativity & what this means for the future of humanity. Thank you for posting your insights, Scott. Thanks for letting me share my story here, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com