Technology in the hands of babes…is that really a good thing? By Myra Williams

I'd like to introduce my first guest blogger. Myra Williams is a 4^th grade teacher at Smith Elementary School in Wylie ISD, Wylie, TX. Mrs. Williams has been teaching for 28 years and has taught grades 2-12. Without further adieu I bring you, my wonderful mom, Myra Williams. 

Technology in the hands of babes...is that really a good thing? 

We took our 4^th graders to Austin to tour the capitol and the Bob Bullock Museum as we do each year.  Yesterday a student made a comment that really made me think.  As we were walking through the House of Representatives talking about how they have telephones under their desks and why they are there, the tour guide said they probably use it to contact their office about current updates. Then he [the tour guide] said,

“But they probably all have iPads with them too and they could just email their office.”  One of my students commented,

“I have an iPad.” We adults looked at each other and commented how students don’t realize how good they have it…or is it good? 

Do kids go outside and play pretend anymore? or do they choose to sit around, by themselves, and surf the web…which is not always a good thing. Is social media really making us more social? Is it really good that an elementary aged child can play a game on the internet, and actually communicate with someone around the world?  Do students who do this, do their parents know???

I feel the younger we place electronic devices in the hands of our children, the sooner we rob them of their childhood.  They won’t play pretend anymore.  They won’t know what to do when the electricity goes out or their device is broken or they’ve left it at home.  They won’t know how to be creative on their own.  We have students who go out to recess now and do not know what to do when there is no recess equipment.  They just walk around like zombies[Zombies figuratively speaking, they aren’t playing a game of The Walking Dead although some do play The Walking Dead in my Kindergarten…that’s a whole different subject for a different blog on a different day though!].  They ask if they can go get their devices.  We say, “No, you have to think of something else to do!” and they respond with, “Awww!” or “I don’t want to.” or “How do I do that?”  [“How do I do that” is the scariest to me.] Where will our future inventors come from if they don’t play pretend?  This up-and-coming generation will know nothing but the use of electronic devices and that scares me! 

Parents of young children, please think twice before you give your child your phone to play with.  You might be creating a monster! My challenge to you is to rethink the use of electronic devices by your children.  The next time you offer your phone to your child as an instant babysitter, try asking them questions about their surroundings.  If you are a coupon clipper, give them a coupon and tell them to go find  the item on the aisle you are on.  Play “I Spy” in the car instead of putting on a video or the radio.  Teach them a song you used to sing as a kid.  Give them sidewalk chalk or a real paintbrush.  I used to buy my girls water color books.  All you need is a cup of water and a paintbrush. Have them look for the colors of cars and when you get to your destination, ask them what color did they see the most.  All of these are a lot cheaper than an iPad!  Make the use of an electronic device a special treat…a reward…and limit the amount of time they spend on them.
Kids ask a lot of “why” questions so why not ask them “why” questions?  I guarantee you it will make you laugh and it will make them think! 

- Myra Williams

While technology is the world our students are growing up in and has it's advantages, it certainly has it's disadvantages. We must be responsible and consider the pros and cons in order for children to use the technology and still gain valuable life skills! It is okay to allow your child to use your phone or use an iPad, we just need to be cautious and conscientiousness of how often we do so and how long they are on devices along with what they are doing while on the device. It is our job as the adult to protect their childhood and make sure they have a full childhood. Teach your children how to use an old fashioned dictionary or encyclopedia, read books not on an e-reader, play the actual board game or card game and draw outside of an app. Technology can be a great tool and great reward/ relaxation, but fundamentals should never be forgotten.