To think CBeebies should ease off encouraging our kids to use tablets, smartphones etc

[LightsOnNotIn]

Cbeebies regularly encourages children to use computers, in whatever form. Children can use apps, the website, games, and of course, watch again/on demand. My son is 3.5 and so far he isn't pestering me to get a tablet, or to give him my phone... but it will come. He watches TV for 30 mins a day. I don't want him to 'have more screen time'. Yes it's down to me to say no, and I find this easy to do, but the adverts normalise the use of screens - why should it be normal? I want him to be interacting with family and friends, not monosyllabic and getting hooked on screens.

you are not BU about the way they go on and on about it...

However as an IT tech's wife, it is important in the world now to be good at using these things. Everything is organized/run by computers in company's. Try not to out myself but even down to where an item is exactly on a shelf in the warehouse is all done by the computer with a barcode system that scans it in and out, controls stock levels, flags up missing stock, low stock, discontinued stock, send automated reports, buy in new good automatically, book couriers etc

They even facetime and skype some business meetings, Use Idrop and all sorts depending on their customers..

I for one don't want my child to be the kid at school who asks "Miss how do you turn on a computer?"" My child can use ipads/iphones/ipod/laptop to access apps/phone calls/facetime/ cartoons on youtube (the one we decide not to block) He knows on the phones is he pressed and hold the big button and in an emergency says "Call Daddy" he will get straight though to his daddy without needing to know the number or hunt out daddy in the phone book..

I'm sure it wont be long before Dh is teaching them how to build computers and servers

I didn't train my DS to do phonics before starting school, he chose to watch Alphablocks and play hairy letters and pocket phonics. The teacher commented yesterday how good he was at blending sounds (he has just started school, August baby) and I said it was nothing to do with me!

They can learn more than computer skills from technology. That Waldorf school that doesn't use technology seems like it's backward for the sake of it. Chalkboards FFS. What teacher wouldn't want access to a beautiful interactive solar system when teaching about space? Sure you could make some plasticine models and hang them from the ceiling, but it's not as effective.

I don't know how some of you stop a toddler wanting more screen time. There was a phase when DD keeps playing those peppa pig episodes we've got on our phone. She wouldn't do anything else. We have to delete them and show her they aren't there anymore.

I think it'll happen again if she's hooked on the cbeebies app. We've been telling her lies about the peppa pig on our NAS and that they only come one before lunch . The only other TV she watches is In the Night Garden before bed.

My phone is password-locked so he can't access it by himself. When he wants to play on it, I set a timer, and when the alarm goes off he has to switch the phone off and give it back. If he doesn't do this, he knows that he won't be getting it again!

If he whinges for the phone when I don't want him to have it, I just say no.

My DSs aged 10, 8 and 3 have never asked to use a computer based on something they've seen on cbeebies, and I think the only thing they've followed up from cbbc was a Shaun the Sheep game that entertained them for a couple of weekends. They watch a programme, they might use another device with a screen to do something else, and I am capable of saying 'no' if I think they've had enough.

I can't get worked up by cbeebies showing what's available online, it isn't forcing you to allow your child to actually access it but if you do want them to have something to do on a computer it lets you know what's there.

Actually I agree with the Waldorf school's principle.

DD1 spent hours watching CBeebies shows when she was little. DD2 spent nowhere near as much time watching but loves playing the games and watching the shows online. I have never felt the need to restrict their time with technology as they seem to naturally choose to do a balance of other things as well.

When they are older they may need more time restrictions if they get more into tablets/phones but it isn't a concern at the moment.

Dojo I'm not suggesting anyone holds back out of principle just that if they don't play with it at a young age it doesn't mean they are disadvantaged and parents don't need to worry about this with little ones.

We have plenty of gadgets and techy stuff and the DCs - as I said in my earlier post - access the iPad, but it is purely because it is FUN, not because it is educational or necessary or because I have a fear that they'll be behind if they aren't using it at a young age.

I'm not worried about the fact my 6yo barely uses the laptop (why would she when iPad games are miles better with no annoying adverts, and she can type on it etc - I have some cute little 'notes' she's written about her little brother :)) because she sometimes plays on a desktop at school, and when the time comes for her to do more (homework) on the laptop then she will start using it more, it is really no big deal.

I am a convert.Just a few months ago I was on here railing against young children and computers/tablets/consoles etc. At the time I was overwhelmed by the strength of opinion and I think it is fine as long as it is supervised and limited it can give dc a whole range of experiences they need for school.
Can anyone advise me on a good drawing app for children?I have both an iPad and an android tablet so either/both would be good when I have the dgc round.

Don't forget OP child is only 3.5. What applies to older children is different from Cbeebies target audience.

And my phone is pin locked but my iPad isn't. Doesn't stop DD nagging for it though. And I don't really want her to learn that the tablets or phones are hers. She throws her toys around.

Sago mini player (think that's what it's called) is fantastic grey. It records sound too, so they can narrate a story as they draw it and play it back.

Also recently got one called zoo story or something, it has little missions where they have to draw particular animals in funny scenarios etc (spying giraffe, anyone? :o), it's great fun