to think that preschoolers shouldn't be using the internet?

[oodlesofdoodles]

My DS's pre-school want to get online so that they can, for example, watch films of exploding volcanoes on youtube instead of looking at pictures in a book.

As I understand it preschoolers are learning motor, language and social skills from real life activity and interaction. They don't learn that from watching films/playing computer games.

The other parents at preschool seem to be fine about the children spending (supervised) time on the internet. I feel time on the computer detracts from time baking or crafting or singing or running around etc.

What do others think?

I have no issue with supervised access every so often

What Rubyslippers said

what ruby said :)

I think as with most things, in moderation and under supervision it does no harm.

No issues here.

Computers will be a huge influence on their life and tbh watching a volcano exploding on screen will make a lot more sense than a still picture in a book.

Obviously usage should be part of a wide variety of activities on offer, but I don't see a reason to exclude it.

if its supervised and limited i think it is okay. i doubt the preschool will be allowing them to spend hours on it!
computer is going to be a part of their school education so it's natural in a way that they want to introduce them a little bit in preschool, as some children may not have any pc @ home you never know, so could be a new experience for them.
of course the other stuff mentioned is vital but moderation and balance of all these things is the key i would say.

My youngest DS is nearly 4 and has been watching stuff on the PC for a good 18 months. He's been using it on his own for the past year (CBeebies, iplayer, etc.) and I cannot believe how much he has picked up.

I don't see the problem if it's supervised use although I'd much rather they were doing other things at pre-school.

I have a pre-schooler and I'd have no problem with online activity as long as it was suitably supervised and appropriate access restrictions etc.
Like it or hate it, being online is a major thing in today's society, and kids need to know their way around a computer in my opinion.
I get what you're saying about baking etc, but why would it detract from all that?
I enjoy the internet (spend far too much time on here but I also regularly enjoy baking buns/cakes/flapjacks etc with the kids, they're always running around and like making stuff as well.
As with most things, everything in moderation! :-)

YANBU.
My children didn't even know what the internet was when they were pre schoolers, nor it occurred to me to put them in front of the pc.
There is plenty of time for technology (and the arguments it causes)

Agree with Rubyslippers

I can see a use for it during group times, especially for watching short video clips based on a topic. Lots of discussion and activity can be generated.

I think its great as long as its supervised i don't see a problem. Both my dd's have ASD and seem to learn far more from the pc then they do being 1:1 with an adult. Dd1 started very early (2) and is now a complete computer whizz at the age of 6.11, she taught herself to read, type and simple maths skills. Dd2 started at the age of 3 and now at the age of 4 can search google and can type, it has also helped her reading skills.

YABU

They use it at my DS's preschool - don't think it's a bad thing at all. They spend a lot of time singing, baking, crafting, etc too.

Okay, so everything in moderation and computers are part of our world, but surely some things are unsuitable for young developing brains?

It's a clumsy analogy, but few people would give a four year old alcohol.

EYFS

Actually I was thinking about this the other day and decided it would be really good for my DD's nursery to have one computer and interactive whiteboard in the preschool room. Probably far too expensive though.

Incidentally, in the ofsted report for my DS's preschool (which received an Outstanding grade) it praises the fact that: 'Children are proficient at using the computer and can
operate the programmes by means of a push button or the mouse whichever they
prefer. Occasionally the younger children receive help with a new programme but
overall they can operate the games themselves.'

So, generally a good thing I reckon :)

What do YANBU and EYFS stand for?

Is a youtube video somehow worse than watching a little DVD of a volcano? Or would you not be happy about a DVD either?

No Oodles, I don't think you can compare alcohol to the internet, for so many reasons!

Still, I agree with you that there is no need to acquaint a pre schoolers to the joys of the internet.

The alcohol thing is a clumsy analogy

Yes some things should be for adults only (ie alcohol) but supervised access to the internet to see a video is no different from TV IMO

Everything in moderation

I think its a good thing ...computers are part of every day life now