Do kids need to know how to use a Tablet/laptop for school readiness?

[zeddip]

So my DC starts reception in September, up to this evening I've been pretty sure from the 'checklists' etc I've seen that she is school ready. She is October born. But I watched a video on school readiness just now, it was from a professional in a certain council but not mine, but it was like a council video etc not some random person.

One of the things that was said was 'your child should be able to operate laptops and tablets'....

So my kid uses our ipad very rarely but she can drag and drop on a game for example but wouldn't know the first thing turning it on and selecting apps etc and that's a choice I've made not to teach her and she will literally use it like once a month if that for a short period. She's never used a laptop..

Is this really something they need to do before they start reception? Thanks

No that’s ridiculous! I’d say being toilet trained and able to dress themselves are the only requirements!

Absolutely no

Absolutely not! The less time spent on screens the better. And keep well away from YouTube. (Reception teacher)

Our reception aged child has never used a tablet or laptop. School readiness is more about being able to use the toilet independently, put on their coat / shoes, and ask for help if needed. We made the decision not to get tablets for the kids although they watch plenty of TV! They'll learn how to use devices at school in their own time.

No that’s silly. Tablets are user friendly- believe you me that your child will be an expert in no time. Teach them to put on their own coat, to open and close their lunchbox, know when to ask for help and wipe their bums AND wash their hands throughly!

There was something in the news in the last couple of days about children starting school trying to swipe and touchscreen books. Don’t know how accurate that is.

My DS (Yr1) has homework on Numbots - he accesses this on a tablet, though it can be accessed on a laptop/desktop. Plus they have smart boards in class & sometimes use those & tablets too.
Might be worth checking with your prospective school.

My daughter's primary school issued them with school ipads on day 1 and yes everything was done on there. She's 14 now and still has a school ipad (albeit from a different school). I'm sure she'll be fine though, they're very easy to use and kids will pick it up very easy.

No, of course not.

They ideally need to know

• their first name and surname
• how to put on and take off coat
• how to get undressed and dressed for PE (some schools do the getting changed for PE later)
• go to the toilet, wipe, wash and dry hands

No. Don't worry about it. My kids never knew and they picked it up quickly, although they're still taking very long with locating the letters on the keyboard 😂

Helps if they recognise their name written down too.

Thanks all, I thought as much! She's confidently doing all the things listed above so I'm no longer worried, thanks so much!