Books and computers - surely they are NOT mutually exclusive?

[Enid]

I went to a thing at dd2s pre-prep today to introduce the new 'transition' teacher (the year before reception).

She made a very big noise about not using computers as she 'wanted to encourage a love of books and reading' and talked about how computers are chipping away at children's love of books. Lots of fevered nodding from parents.

I disagree (and said so ). I love computers. I love books. My children love books. They love computers. They use them for completely different things. So do I.

I can't help feeling this view is damagingly old-fashioned and comes from a lack of understanding rather than any research.

Luckily dd2 transfers to a state primary in September where they have computers in the classroom and use them to write the odd story and create images so it isn't my battle to fight anymore (hurrah!).

Interested to know what otehrs think although I assume the research group may be slightly skewed

I too love computers and books. Ditto the kids.

yup, me too (and dh and the kids)

We were having very similar discussion at ds's parents' eve last night. Sensible teacher says, point is that books/writing by hand takes a bit more (sometimes only a tiny bit more (reading), sometimes lots more (writing)) effort than using a computer, so it's sensible to make sure the child is comfortable with the non-computer skills first.

For us, she was saying it was fine for ds (who's 7 & in year 3) to bimble about on a computer as he's secure in those non-computer skills. But she'd be less keen for a child who was struggling, just because in a way it can make the struggle seem harder. (I guess analogy might be walking up stairs when there's a lift - you want to be sure that they can do either, without being miserable, if need be.)

Same here. Although we do limit computer time for the children, and they don't have gameboys or Play stations or anything like that.

I can see where she is coming from - I do know loads of families where the children (and sometimes the adults, usually the dads!) spend almost all their free time on gameboys etc or PC games and never pick up a book.

But used properly, both for educational purposes, practical things and just plain old fun, computers are great!

I don't have any 'research' or 'evidence', but do have my own gut feeling, which is no doubt very old-fashioned!

I think computers and electronic toys are very attractive to children, and I also agree with Bink's comments that it is easier for them to learn to type 'neatly', than to learn to write 'neatly'. I also believe it is extremely difficult for books and reading to compete with computers/TV/Gameboy, etc.

So I wanted them to learn to read fluently, and to love books, and to have mastered the basics of writing before they had extensive access to computers.

So the boys had virtually no access to the PC until they were about 5.5, and even then very limited access - maybe 20-30 mins twice a week; and they did not get handhelds until they were 7.

Now (9, and nearly 8) we still have strict limits/guidelines on the amount of time they can spend on computers/TV/Gameboy etc., and certain times of the day which are for reading only.

They do both love books, and will often choose to read rather than doing something else. But we are a very book-ish house, so maybe they would have got there anyway!

Byut they are also both very computer literate, and ds1 has recently won some prizes/certificates for design work he has done on the PC, and for spreadsheet work.

(We also had no electronic toys when they were babies: maybe I'm just a Luddite!)

My kids don't get on the computer very often.DD2 goes on more when at my Mams house than at home or asks to email at home (auntie is travelling).DD1 would rather read/write though she has no problems using computers independantly.They both have leapsters and unlimite access to them but they don't often play them in the house.
Think dd2 is def more predisposed to the electronic stuff than dd1.