Just a quick poll here to gauge community feelings on this.
While the research in this article, Children better with smartphones than shoelaces - studyhighlights some interesting results regarding 3 to 5 yr olds using electronic devices, it has clearly evoked some alarm, if not concern from some.
Not meaning to sound too simplistic on this, but one of the greatest problems for young children that I have found in the many years (29 to be exact) I have been teaching is...how to tie shoelaces. Smartphone, ipads...haven't been around for very many of those years, so what was the excuse back then? Show me the specific data that directly and without the shadow of a doubt proves the link between shoelaces and smartphones and I may reconsider.
Isn't there an app to teach kids how to tie their shoelaces?
Tying shoelaces and using a device involve very different skills - not sure how these can be compared . I believe that when using devices, balance is just as important as the way we use the devices with our young tamariki. We need to model good use of these devices as well as providing a range of activities to support their learning.
And how many young children have laces on their shoes these days? My children always had velcro.
Tying shoelaces is so not an intuitive task! Anyone who has taught new entrants will know how many shoelaces they have helped tie and the sigh of relief when curly laces are purchased or one kid becomes skilled to help others. : )
Like Tara, I believe that balance is just as important as the way we use the devices with our young children. Some time online is not harmful, just as long as it is part of a traditional kiwi upbringing of tree climbing, bike riding and ball kicking, oh and tying knots in tiny bits of string.
Oh yes and there is an app for learning to tie shoelaces! : )
I have lost faith in the media to report anything accurately without sensationalising, misreporting or exaggerating. Waitangi Day coverage will be no exception.
Children as young as three have never been able to tie shoe laces. It's complex procedure needing advanced cognitive ability and dexterity which using an iOS device doesn't need.
Comments
Just a quick poll here to gauge community feelings on this.
While the research in this article, Children better with smartphones than shoelaces - study highlights some interesting results regarding 3 to 5 yr olds using electronic devices, it has clearly evoked some alarm, if not concern from some.
What do you think? Where’s the balance?
Not meaning to sound too simplistic on this, but one of the greatest problems for young children that I have found in the many years (29 to be exact) I have been teaching is...how to tie shoelaces. Smartphone, ipads...haven't been around for very many of those years, so what was the excuse back then? Show me the specific data that directly and without the shadow of a doubt proves the link between shoelaces and smartphones and I may reconsider.
Isn't there an app to teach kids how to tie their shoelaces?
Tying shoelaces and using a device involve very different skills - not sure how these can be compared
. I believe that when using devices, balance is just as important as the way we use the devices with our young tamariki. We need to model good use of these devices as well as providing a range of activities to support their learning.
And how many young children have laces on their shoes these days? My children always had velcro.
Tying shoelaces is so not an intuitive task! Anyone who has taught new entrants will know how many shoelaces they have helped tie and the sigh of relief when curly laces are purchased or one kid becomes skilled to help others. : )
Like Tara, I believe that balance is just as important as the way we use the devices with our young children. Some time online is not harmful, just as long as it is part of a traditional kiwi upbringing of tree climbing, bike riding and ball kicking, oh and tying knots in tiny bits of string.
Oh yes and there is an app for learning to tie shoelaces! : )
http://www.tieyourshoesez.com/
I have lost faith in the media to report anything accurately without sensationalising, misreporting or exaggerating. Waitangi Day coverage will be no exception.
Children as young as three have never been able to tie shoe laces. It's complex procedure needing advanced cognitive ability and dexterity which using an iOS device doesn't need.