The first thing to note is that there are defiantly seasonal changes in the usage of all things screen related (that is: ipads, tablets, computer, smart phones and wii.) The Winter hibernating months naturally mean that we spend more time at home and there are more technology based activities going on. The other thing that has changed is the amount of time that mummy and daddy spend with the smalls doing what they are doing. Mummy and daddy both have minecraftPE and we daily play minecraft together. Minecraft really needs its own post. Suffice to say that it is a big part of our home ed and family life. But in addition to this mummy has also become a master at other games such as 'Plants vs Zombies' and she is working on 'The Sims,' 'Skylanders,' and 'Mariocart,' amongst others.
Each of the smalls interacts with devices in their own way:
Bean, 7, is most definitely the biggest user. His primary activity of choice always involves his tablet. He plays games, he learns minecraft parodies, he watches youtube videos, he loads and deletes and manages his account, he fixes small problems. He uses the computer to watch dvds and netflix and cbbc, we google places and people and questions together, we plan visits and buy tickets and put items onto his amazon wish list and he plays minecraft with this friends. When he wants to see if his friend is available to play he used to ask me to message her mum, now he skypes her directly. He records his own lego dramas and minecraft games and loads them onto youtube and we've even had a go at stop frame animation. And he has his own digital camera which he takes hundreds of photos with. It would be wrong to say that everything he does in life involves technology but even the interests he follows (like investigating growing mould and creating a '"Total Wipeout" course in the back garden are ideas that were generated by watching something.
Pumpkin, 6, uses screens for all the same things that Bean does but just not as much. He can often be seen to be playing lego on our living room window sill whilst others are using the computer. He gravitates towards it when he is tired and enjoys playing together or watching together with Bean. Their top games to play together are minecraft and Lego Indiana Jones. He really enjoys watching funny videos: cartoons, Mr Bean episodes, You've Been Framed.
Plum, 3, is fluent and capable at using the tablet and knows what she wants to use the computer for but just needs someone to use the mouse for her. She mostly watches youtube or iplayer or dvds. Current big hits are Peppa Pig, Surprise Eggs, Bing, Melody and various Disney movies. But she could honestly take it or leave it. She is just as readily found playing doll's house, playdough, painting, Peppa Pig toys, in the garden. If we are up first together it is not uncommon for the computer to remain off and we are doing something else together.
It would be fair to say that when we are at home then the computer is on and being used...or appearing to be used. Sometimes we can be playing a game together or colouring or baking or bathing and it is on but really no-one is concentrating solely on the programme. The use of technology is central to our learning journeys. Each of the smalls use it differently but they do all use it and mummy uses it to. It is a simple and effective way of organising events, booking places, linking up with family and friends, recording our journey, relaxing with film and music, ordering the weekly shop and keeping on top of finances. I don't regret our decision to trust our children and allow them the freedom to use technology as they see fit.
Is there a downside? YES! You know that Sunday afternoon feeling, the one where you want to curl up on the sofa under a blanket, rest and watch a family movie together? IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! The smalls want to go roller skating, or to the park, or swimming, or the beach. There is at no point that we can say 'let's watch together' and they will jump at the chance because it's not a treat or a one off event anymore, if there's something that they would rather be doing then we're doing it because the screen is always an option at any other time.
Do they spend more than two hours a day using devices? Yes. Most days there are at least two devices on all day. Some days the computer is on but really we are busy doing other things.
And all the time the learning goes on.
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