By the age of 8, it is possible that your child may have spent about 7.5 hours in front of a screen. In recent years, kids have gained more access to, and knowledge of, technology. This generation is arguably the most educated about technology since the internet was created.
Now, there is nothing wrong with giving limited access to devices like iPads to your little one; of course, just like adults, over-usage can have some negative effects.
However, smartphones and other devices are excellent tools when used to your child’s advantage. Technology is already available in the classroom for children with special needs; technology with educational programs that benefit their classroom experience. Preschool online is becoming more accessible, and families doing homeschool preschool are using tools from online like educational videos, enrichment classes over zoom, and the content is growing. So with educational activities like this available at your child’s fingertips, why not use it?
Implementing educational activities into your child’s screen time can benefit their mental abilities. With interactive elements and educational games, you can rest easy knowing your little one’s time on the screen is well spent.
Now, what exactly are these benefits?
Prepare Them for Real Life
Especially for families doing homeschool preschool or preschool online, socializing with kids your little one’s age is super important. Since the pandemic, an incredible amount of enrichment classes for children have been moved online to zoom. Kids fill up the rooms from their homes and get the chance to sing, dance, and learn with kids from all around the world. They get an idea of how a popular platform like zoom works, and it can prepare them to socialize in a traditional classroom or playground setting. One of the zoom classes offered at Playgarden Prep Online is a cooking class where kids can follow the teacher with their own foods at home. Learning to cook is a skill your little one will most definitely benefit from having. Click here to start a trial with Playgarden Prep and get access to our many zoom classes!
Encourage Creativity
Children are always looking for a creative outlet. They are ready to make a mess the moment you give the “ok.” Some kids are just waiting for permission to let their imagination run wild, and what they run with can be inspiring. For the aspiring artists out there, there are so many apps on smart-devices that are kid-friendly. Give your child an iPad with a blank canvas and a stylus that they can turn into virtually any medium and see what they create. They get the chance to explore all the different colors, shapes, and styles they can work with on one device. There are also educational videos that correspond with workbooks, where your little one can follow along with a teacher as they do a variety of worksheets - from coloring to mazes to matching. These can help your little one practice their problem-solving skills and encourage them to get creative. Playgarden Preschool Online offers workbooks and worksheet follow-along videos, as well as hands-on DIY and sensory activities for toddlers.
Trigger Executive Functioning
Decision-making and problem-solving make up what is called executive functioning. Online educational activities involve both engagement and interaction, so they are facing obstacles within their activities, where they may need to find alternative solutions, also known as flexible thinking. Say your little one is doing a puzzle on an iPad. They are actively placing a piece that may fit (one solution), observe that it does not fit (obstacle) and look through the other pieces that may fit (other solutions). As the activities get more challenging, they get to practice finding multiple solutions, comparing pros and cons, and coming to their own conclusions.
Reinforce Memory
Retaining information learned in school can be difficult for some children. With the help of preschool online activities, your little one can practice memory skills with matching and problem-solving activities that will want to be played over and over. As they get more challenging, little ones will have to find new strategies and begin piecing together their mental tool belt.
Improve Attention and Vigilance
Studies have shown that in the United States, around 6 million kids are diagnosed with an attention disorder. With tools like online activities, students practice sticking to targets and goals whilst combatting distractions. Students with ADHD can benefit from these types of activities, helping focus on the goal and dealing with the obstacles in front of them.
Online educational activities are becoming some of our best tools for learning online, especially for families choosing homeschool preschool and preschool online. There are so many sources at your fingertips, and Playgarden Prep Online is a great place to start your preschool at home journey. Start your free trial today!
Miss Julia has been an early childhood educator for 5 years, with over 10 years of experience working in childcare. She has been teaching at Playgarden Prep since 2017, and is happy to share ideas on some of her favorite early education topics with you! Miss Julia has a BA from UC Irvine, and uses her experience in performing arts to inspire little ones every day in her enrichment classes at Playgarden. In her free time, Miss Julia loves enjoying nature, cooking, and creating with friends.
