Screen time gets a lot of bad press as it should. Please see the preceding article. Since almost everyone finds their way in front of a screen especially the TV screen what is watched should be quality. A reminder here adults need to monitor the total screen time for everyone especially the young- this includes computer, videos, video games/activities, text time, and movies.
If children are going to watch TV then look for some shows that are age appropriate and address and expose children to a variety of ideas that help in learning as children grow in age. There is some great quality out there for children including “Sesame Street”, “Between the Lions”, “Little Einstein” “Disney’s Club House”, “Special Agent Oso,” and “Sid the Science Kid”.
If you haven’t watched Sesame Street lately I want to applaud the Children’s Network. The Sesame Street of today is right up with the changes of society as well as preparing students for the National Core Curriculum. They are focusing on more than just the letter and number of the day. The show gives name (vocabulary) and introductions to some of the science and math concepts children will be studying as the child gets older. I saw the idea of air being invisible, one to one correspondence in counting, and the vocabulary sides and angles demonstrated with a triangle. This program has consistently through the years given great introductions to materials and vocabulary that children will encounter again and again. Researchers tell us that a student needs to be involved at least 18 times before a word or idea becomes part of the mindset. Their “Electric Company” is great for children interested in or struggling with reading and writing. It of course helps to support children learning English.
Disney Club House is also working on concepts like counting, conservation of materials (matter), even and odd, and fractions, matching, alike and different.
One of my favorite early reading and pre-reading shows is “Between the Lions”. It addresses so many ways to word attack including repetition, phonics, and working with word chunks (rhyming) as well as whole word recognition. One big underlying theme is transfer of knowledge. For example if this chunk “at” works in the word “bat” it also works in “cat” and “catch.” And if cat is read/spelled this way in this book, it is the same word on the bag in the store, or on a card, or wherever you see that combination (consistency). The characters and various segments are wonderfully varied and diverse.
I also want to mention Jim Henson Company’s “Sid the Science Kid”. This is one of my very favorite children’s shows. It is so appropriate and Grandma wears slacks, and dances, and knows and shares ideas and is definitely a positive character. Anyway there are so many things that are right about this program. The science themes and activities are age appropriate (preschool, kindergarten). The four young students go to a preschool and learn about bones with joints, dirt, animals, senses and all those things children are curious about. Each child is very different and that works well. The thing that impresses me the most is the science journal. At this young age the students draw and tell about their picture which relates to the theme/lesson. I love that the children are writing- yes picture writing in a little notebook. The children often play or act out something about what they have learned. It is “children” working and trying or singing-working and playing together. Sometimes when on the playground they use the old Rowen and Martin “Laugh in” shapes doors to open and ask a question which someone else answers about the day’s topic or tell a joke that only little ones can appreciate. Sid and his friends are joyful and full of energy and conversation involves children interacting and communicating with each other. The writers have caught the essences of children.
Appreciate the idea that many of the children’s shows do incorporate movement. As the significant adult get up with your child and move. Many concepts are understood best by doing and moving is something we all need.
The idea here is to choose carefully for your child since screen time should be kept at a minimum and realize quality is important. That means sit down and watch and interact with your child and use some of the vocabulary or help transfer. A child learns by what others model in real life and on the screen.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Screentime
Before beginning to talk about television programming there are some issues I need to clarify. When researchers talk about screen time – they are referring to anything with a monitor involved- not only TV, videos, computers, but all the other electronic monitors that are in our lives currently (I pads, cell phones, etc) or in the future. For the very young it can affect actual vision such as myopia or a near/ far vision transfer (trying to adjust vision from close items to far items). Add this to what researchers are telling us about how screens affect weight, focus length, as well as academic success.
I have not seen or heard any research on what screen time does to hearing and listening skills. We do know that continual loud noise does evoke early deafness. There is also the know concern for headphone use and volume. People say that for many people the sounds of TV. IPods and videos are often background noise. If there is background noise it blocks the other noises within the environment. There are times when parents and teachers are talking with students and it would appear that students are not attending to the conversation. So the question is posed: is too much screen time contributing to the inability to stay focused let alone attend to an oral exchange? Are students oblivious or missing sounds of nature, the city, or their habitat?
In this day and age I would be surprised if there is any one of us who has not experienced a time when a screen is in use (any, from TV to IPads, and videos) which affects the situation. Either something disturbs (a ring tone or motion on a screen) to draw attention to the owner or the other person finds it necessary to immediately respond to a screen of some kind shifting the attention away from the concentration of the experience. Perhaps someone has walked into you or ignored you because of screen time. An experience may even be spoiled because everyone’s focus is shifted.
Consider the lack of communication that is going on because of screen time. Have you ever felt belittled because you don’t have someone’s full attention? Think back often some screen is involved.
All screen time is not horrible. The point here is- be aware of screen time and how screens are now affecting your life and those of children. Consider the ramifications.
I have not seen or heard any research on what screen time does to hearing and listening skills. We do know that continual loud noise does evoke early deafness. There is also the know concern for headphone use and volume. People say that for many people the sounds of TV. IPods and videos are often background noise. If there is background noise it blocks the other noises within the environment. There are times when parents and teachers are talking with students and it would appear that students are not attending to the conversation. So the question is posed: is too much screen time contributing to the inability to stay focused let alone attend to an oral exchange? Are students oblivious or missing sounds of nature, the city, or their habitat?
In this day and age I would be surprised if there is any one of us who has not experienced a time when a screen is in use (any, from TV to IPads, and videos) which affects the situation. Either something disturbs (a ring tone or motion on a screen) to draw attention to the owner or the other person finds it necessary to immediately respond to a screen of some kind shifting the attention away from the concentration of the experience. Perhaps someone has walked into you or ignored you because of screen time. An experience may even be spoiled because everyone’s focus is shifted.
Consider the lack of communication that is going on because of screen time. Have you ever felt belittled because you don’t have someone’s full attention? Think back often some screen is involved.
All screen time is not horrible. The point here is- be aware of screen time and how screens are now affecting your life and those of children. Consider the ramifications.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Beginning
The Beginning- blog 9-8-11
Within the last three weeks all traditional schools have started- prekindergarten through graduate school. It is always a great time for students and staff alike- filled with excitement, anticipation, a little apprehension and a realization that this is a new beginning.
The excitement of getting supplies and new books, meeting new people and catching up with friends is now turning into organizing and developing routine. This is the time when parents hear that to help with a successful year they “need to be involved in their child’s education.” But what does that really mean. Politicians are even getting into the act. A governor has suggested that businesses allow parents 8 house away from the job for interaction at a child’s school.
There are stay at home parents or part time parents who are willing and volunteer to come into the classroom or building which is absolutely wonderful and can be helpful. There may also be jobs that can be done at home and sent back to the school. Of course there are parent associations that meet and have events in the evening that are always looking for volunteers.
There are many ways for a parent to be involved in the education of their child that does not include many hours in the school. For many parents it is not possible to be on site. There is much involvement that can be done without stepping into the school except for conferences.
Let me repeat that, there is much involvement that can be done without stepping into the school except for conferences. At home and in the community is where the educators would ask for your help.
Perhaps the most important way a parent or guardian can support a student is to listen daily. The question to ask is not “What did you do today?” We all know that answer, “Nothin.” Instead dig deeper, “What did you learn today?”, or “”What was difficult? or “What was the most interesting class today?”, or “Teach/show me something you did”. It is a twist on the old parent trick of not asking a yes or no question.
It will take a few weeks but now is the time to start routines. Children feel comfortable with routines both in and outside of the school.
Morning routine is a great way to be involved with a child’s education. After a good night’s sleep with that 8 to 10 hours each child needs, starting the day with a breakfast and a positive attitude and even a hug will send that special child into the day awake and ready to go. Breakfast should happen (at home or school) before the academic day starts. Leaving the house calmly may mean an evening routine of choosing clothes, and checking that everything for the next day is addressed and ready by the door the night before.
At home there is a place to do homework. Never ask the question, “Do you have homework?” Rather discuss the day as your child unpacks his/her backpack in your presents. Put aside all you need to read and have your child explain what needs to be done. Sometime review your homework; those papers you set aside that are for you from the school and or teacher.
Parents- in this day and age assume there is always some homework. Rule of thumb is that your elementary school child should finish his/her work by three times their age in minutes. For example a 6 year old should be able to complete everything in 18 minutes. Middle school and high school will have homework but that too should not take all evening.
Have some contact with each teacher a note, e mail, or phone call as well as attending conferences. We have all found out that being involved with nature and play reduces stress and seems to clear the mind.
Showing your interest to your child (is being involved)will help him/her realize that education is important. Share stories about your experience and life growing up.
Soon many children across the nation will be involved in state testing. On those days routine, sleep, a good breakfast, and leaving the house with a hug and positive attitude will help a child face a very daunting task with the knowledge that someone cares.
Being involved with your child’s education means being involved with your child- be aware and listen.
Within the last three weeks all traditional schools have started- prekindergarten through graduate school. It is always a great time for students and staff alike- filled with excitement, anticipation, a little apprehension and a realization that this is a new beginning.
The excitement of getting supplies and new books, meeting new people and catching up with friends is now turning into organizing and developing routine. This is the time when parents hear that to help with a successful year they “need to be involved in their child’s education.” But what does that really mean. Politicians are even getting into the act. A governor has suggested that businesses allow parents 8 house away from the job for interaction at a child’s school.
There are stay at home parents or part time parents who are willing and volunteer to come into the classroom or building which is absolutely wonderful and can be helpful. There may also be jobs that can be done at home and sent back to the school. Of course there are parent associations that meet and have events in the evening that are always looking for volunteers.
There are many ways for a parent to be involved in the education of their child that does not include many hours in the school. For many parents it is not possible to be on site. There is much involvement that can be done without stepping into the school except for conferences.
Let me repeat that, there is much involvement that can be done without stepping into the school except for conferences. At home and in the community is where the educators would ask for your help.
Perhaps the most important way a parent or guardian can support a student is to listen daily. The question to ask is not “What did you do today?” We all know that answer, “Nothin.” Instead dig deeper, “What did you learn today?”, or “”What was difficult? or “What was the most interesting class today?”, or “Teach/show me something you did”. It is a twist on the old parent trick of not asking a yes or no question.
It will take a few weeks but now is the time to start routines. Children feel comfortable with routines both in and outside of the school.
Morning routine is a great way to be involved with a child’s education. After a good night’s sleep with that 8 to 10 hours each child needs, starting the day with a breakfast and a positive attitude and even a hug will send that special child into the day awake and ready to go. Breakfast should happen (at home or school) before the academic day starts. Leaving the house calmly may mean an evening routine of choosing clothes, and checking that everything for the next day is addressed and ready by the door the night before.
At home there is a place to do homework. Never ask the question, “Do you have homework?” Rather discuss the day as your child unpacks his/her backpack in your presents. Put aside all you need to read and have your child explain what needs to be done. Sometime review your homework; those papers you set aside that are for you from the school and or teacher.
Parents- in this day and age assume there is always some homework. Rule of thumb is that your elementary school child should finish his/her work by three times their age in minutes. For example a 6 year old should be able to complete everything in 18 minutes. Middle school and high school will have homework but that too should not take all evening.
Have some contact with each teacher a note, e mail, or phone call as well as attending conferences. We have all found out that being involved with nature and play reduces stress and seems to clear the mind.
Showing your interest to your child (is being involved)will help him/her realize that education is important. Share stories about your experience and life growing up.
Soon many children across the nation will be involved in state testing. On those days routine, sleep, a good breakfast, and leaving the house with a hug and positive attitude will help a child face a very daunting task with the knowledge that someone cares.
Being involved with your child’s education means being involved with your child- be aware and listen.
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