Page 2 | Do you agree with preschools doing computer based play/learning?

nappyaddict · 2009-01-14T22:26:49+00:00

Just wondering really what people think.

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

mumto3boys · 15/01/2009 20:39

My DTs (4) have one at their pre school. They have an educational program on it (can't remember the game) and its used for things like matching objects, colours, opposites etc. Out of a 2 and a half hour session, they would spend 10 mins max on it, and they don't go on it every day.

At home I allow them to go on the cbeebies website a couple of times a week. I think it's useful for them to understand how to use a computer.

I wouldn't want them just playing any old game, but at pre school I would think it would always be educational.

SpeccieSeccie · 15/01/2009 20:49

I think I agree with WriggleJiggle on this (DS only 21 months so no direct experience). Isn't it better to learn physical/emotional world stuff before school? So much time in their schooling/lives is going to be spent in front of the computer, which is sedentary and impersonal. Not like they won't be able to pick it up very quickly just a couple of years later.

wheresthehamster · 15/01/2009 21:10

Totally with you WriggleJiggle! Have always been against it and the fact that schools have to budget for computers, software, laptops, IWBs - and that's just infants! What a waste of money when they could use it to employ more support staff!

In Reception a large part of the day revolves around child-led activities so children who spend hours on the computer at home tend to gravitate to the computers in school! I always try to get the worse offenders to come and help me with a 'job' or encourage them to play in the water or something. At this age - just playing e.g. maths or phonics games - it's just mindless clicking of the mouse as far as I can see.

(Rant over)

SpeccieSeccie · 15/01/2009 21:12

I hadn't even thought of the money angle: yup, the cash would be better spent on staff. Or clay. Or baking.

LynetteScavo · 15/01/2009 22:18

Baking should be compulsory IMO. From age 3 upwards.

MamaMaiasaura · 15/01/2009 22:19

my 1 year old was running around with wii remote does that count?

Washersaurus · 15/01/2009 22:21

But a computer is just another type of learning tool, that helps aid childrens development in lots of different areas.....Hmmm, a bit like books infact!

The preschool that DS1 attends has one computer in the classroom, but they do all sorts of other things too (they have a sensory ball room, outside play, 'wriggles and jiggles', library, dressing up/play house, painting, baking etc)

francagoestohollywood · 15/01/2009 22:23

No, I don't agree

Washersaurus · 15/01/2009 22:46

I think maybe people feel uncomfortable with it because it is something that they didn't have access to at a young age themselves tbh.

I'm getting on a bit now but can clearly remember playing educational games on a massive computer in primary school. It hasn't done me any harm (ignoring my mumsnet addiction )

blueshoes · 15/01/2009 23:33

It is great to see young children so confident about using computers. They take to it like a duck to water without any of the reservations adults might have.

I don't think computers in nurseries are necessary but having them would not put me off either. Does not have to be educational stuff they do on it though.

BabyStarlightsMum · 15/01/2009 23:54

'So much time in their schooling/lives is going to be spent in front of the computer, which is sedentary and impersonal'

Only if the teacher is crap. If the teacher is not, ICT can be used to enhance social skills, develop imagination, support the development of real life skills.

It is an educational tool. A computer is not a means to an end. It is not a stand alone activity. It is as only as good/useful as the teacher's planning in supporting educational attainment, much like other activities.

francagoestohollywood · 16/01/2009 13:57

Nappy, I got your CAT and replied
I'm in a hurry again!!!

WriggleJiggle · 17/01/2009 04:51

But so often the educational side of it gets lost. Unless a teacher is actually there supervising, there's an awful lot of click click clicking all over the screen until the correct response happens.
Given a choice I would prefer to have a computer suite and whole class computer time rather than a stand alone unsupervised computer.

purepurple · 17/01/2009 09:26

we have a computer in our pre-school. I use it for about 30 mins a day with a small group of children. They learn how to turn on the computer, put in a disc, open a programme, use the mouse and turn off the computer. They learn about numbers and colours, depending which games we use. They are learning to share and take turns, they know they can have 2 goes and then it is the next person's turn. They are learning language skills and benefit from having a bit of one to one time with me. We are plannong on buying a new computer and a digital camera for the children to use. And OFSTED does expect us to do all this to fulfill our obligations under the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Ripeberry · 23/01/2009 21:12

EYFS also expect children to do some kind of basic programming as well! When i heard this i thought ...WHAT?
But they mean programming a robot like a be-bot. The children are shown some arrows written on a piece of paper and they have to "program" the robot.
Very interesting. Our pre-school leader wants one, but they are FAR too expensive, over £60 for something not much bigger than your hand.

semi · 06/06/2009 02:04

I am really really interested in this topic - sorry am a bit late to the table. Why is it that the perception of computers and technology is all centre around laptops, or monitors - technology is everywhere! there are some amazing pervasive technologies out there, i saw some fabulous stuff trialled by the bbc, futurelab and some primary schools in bristol that is pretty amazing. i think we have to move away from our own preschool experience and indeed techphobia and recognise that they are here to stay, and as processing power increases will only get faster and more capable of doing more things!! if you've got an iphone and a 2 year old, you will kno wwhat i mean.

mrz · 06/06/2009 18:04

I think technology can be a very powerful tool for learning but it can't be at the expense of human interaction.

finefatmama · 06/06/2009 22:45

I think it should be available but not compulsory.

ds2 is 2.9 and has had to be restricted to 1 hour a day on the computer. I initially had reservations as well but he has learnt skills and words from playhouse disney and cbeebies that have enhanced his social interactions.

he knows what objects and numbers are and loves saying 'good job','we did it', 'I'm the winner', 'don't worry mummy. i'll find it', 'shall we try it gain?', 'this is for me and this is for you', 'shall we try it gain?' and my personal favourite 'stink, stink, stink' (think, think think from my friends tigger and pooh). He tends to repeat what is said by his fav characters and the storylines seem to be transferable to his social life and daily routines so I think it has enhanced him. ds1 however can't be arsed and is only just getting to grips with watching some dancing alphabets on a sesame street program.

We've found programs teaching actions, rooms in the house, daily routines, problem solving, painting and decorating, collage, jigsaw puzzles, matching, construction etc. The computer is the new weekend babysitter when i have chores to do but ds2 manages to insist that we join him and applaud whatever he's doing from time to time.

cory · 07/06/2009 10:27

not worried that they do it, but slightly worried by the thought that they have to do it

our highly conscientious CM got marked down at her Ofsted because she failed to provide computer facilities for a 3yo. The child was perfectly happily making mudpies in the garden and dressing up, but not good enough for Ofsted.

Original poster

nappyaddict · 05/09/2009 17:05

Coming back to this thread just wondering what people think of toys like this aimed at toddlers and preschoolers?

OP posts:

purepurple · 06/09/2009 08:44

nappyaddict, don't see the point in toys like that. While I think it is important that children can use a computer, I draw the line at games consoles for toddlers.
A computer is more than a games console; it is a communication tool also. In terms of development, I would have thought that games consoles are very limiting. They might keep them occupied but it might limit their development.
For example, I have recently looked after a 4 year old who was obsessed with his games console. To the extent that his speech was directly influneced by it; he used to talk of missions and levels. He had problems interacting with the other children and was often in tears because he could not get his own way. Or he would lash out at them because they wouldn't play his games. His games always involved chasing baddies and 'getting' people. The others just wanted to climb or play football. He found it really hard to 'connect' to them.

Littlepurpleprincess · 06/09/2009 16:47

The EYFS includes ICT, that doesn't mean a computer. In the nursery I used to work at we had a remote control toy. ICT doesn't mean sitting in front of a screen, and whats the problem with them using a pc anyway? It's a needed life skill now. If they use a comupter it will be for 10 minutes. Just a small part of the curriculum.

Plus it will be age appropriate. No downloading porn.

If your concerned about something in the EYFS you should talk to the nursery about it. It's not made for parents so it would be misleading if you read it. It uses a lot of jargon.

DS has one of the Vtech things and it's crap. It doesn't hold his attention and it's too complicated. Vtech also claim to be educational, but it's not. It's trying to teach 3 year olds to read and that's completely inappropriate.

He got a lot more out of using the paint programme on my pc. He practises using the mouse and clicking on icons. That's how simple it should be for pre-schoolers.

FimbleHobbs · 10/09/2009 12:54

I was gobsmacked when picking up DD, then 2.2, and the nursery staff said 'aren't her mouse skills amazing, shes great on the computer' - it had never occurred to me to let her use a pc but it seems she has a knack for it.

All in moderation I say.

Ceebee74 · 10/09/2009 13:01

DS1 (3.2) loves playing on the computer and has an amazing control of the mouse. They have a PC at his nursery (seems to always be set on the Cbeebies website) and it is the first thing he goes to every morning ..but he does do a lot of other stuff and has to share it so I assume he isn't on it all day. He could quite happily sit and surf round the cbeebies website at home for hours if we let him.

Agree about the Vtech things - we bought him one for Christmas and he rarely uses it. It is too complicated for him and he struggles to control the joystick - pretty much a waste of money at the moment although he may 'grow' into it.