Re: Digest Number 423 computers
Tina Pearson
Hi Joshua
Setting limits doesn't work here, either. But we have no real computer games. My daughter spends her computer time doing Amazon quests (where she *identifies* plants and animals from the rainforest,etc., but doesn't have any *real* sense of what they are, ...), and making pictures and graphics on mspaint. I don't think these things are harmful, per say, but I still see that it is too easy for her to go quickly to the computer for a fix of this when she is wanting something to do rather
than get out the clay or the paints or her sewing. Right now, I am leaving this alone, trusting that we will find a balance. And outdoor wild time hasn't diminished at all!
Of course I am wondering if the easy attraction to the computer is an influence from me ... I am having to do quite a lot of work at the computer these days and my daughter does not like my mental/emotional absence when I am working. Because, when I am working, I am not *with* her. It works if we move a big comfy chair close to my desk with blankets and pillows and books for her to read, but not all the time.
Does anyone else having to work at home in this way have interesting ways to help their children to be comfortable with it? I have only one child, so there is that *intensity* to deal with ...
Suggestions welcome.
Setting limits doesn't work here, either. But we have no real computer games. My daughter spends her computer time doing Amazon quests (where she *identifies* plants and animals from the rainforest,etc., but doesn't have any *real* sense of what they are, ...), and making pictures and graphics on mspaint. I don't think these things are harmful, per say, but I still see that it is too easy for her to go quickly to the computer for a fix of this when she is wanting something to do rather
than get out the clay or the paints or her sewing. Right now, I am leaving this alone, trusting that we will find a balance. And outdoor wild time hasn't diminished at all!
Of course I am wondering if the easy attraction to the computer is an influence from me ... I am having to do quite a lot of work at the computer these days and my daughter does not like my mental/emotional absence when I am working. Because, when I am working, I am not *with* her. It works if we move a big comfy chair close to my desk with blankets and pillows and books for her to read, but not all the time.
Does anyone else having to work at home in this way have interesting ways to help their children to be comfortable with it? I have only one child, so there is that *intensity* to deal with ...
Suggestions welcome.
> Tina thanks for a very thoughtful message. I have been reading the thread
> about computers and wondering a lot about the ups and the downs of their
> infuluence on our children. I know my 7 yo son **loves** them and it can
> get a little obsessive and litterally take over his imagintion for periods
> of time. What disturbs me is the loss of other imaginative activities (real
> activities as opposed to elecronic simulations... ) (now i am going to get
> it)
>
> We had resorted to imposing time limits.... recently we have decided this
> restriction may have been making things worse... and so at a family meeting
> we arrived at the idea of allowing constructive activities any time, and
> allowing games for a half hour per 2 computer hours logged on "constuctive"
> activities.
> But I still share your concerns about the losses inherent in encouraging
> computer literacy. I agree as well the only thing to do is strive for a
> balance and be sure to prestent lots of alternative opportunites to use
> "real" materials.
> Joshua