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You want to know what\u2019s great about June, darling? Well, there are lots of things. But one <\/i>of the great things about June is how Jubilant it is. That\u2019s why we\u2019re celebrating Jubilant June, by offering a giveaway every day for the next week. (Because nothing says jubilant like a giveaway, amiright?!) We have a wide variety of things to giveaway items \u2013 from books to pacifier holders to Smuckers Fruit-Fulls! Come back daily and celebrate June with us!<\/p>\n
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The Fred Rogers Center has devoted a lot of time to exploring the topic of digital media and young children. While the topic often sparks skepticism about its value or even concerns about potential damage, the FRC has found<\/a> digital media can have many benefits when used correctly. Here\u2019s a summary of the findings:<\/p>\n Technology and interactive media can be effective tools for learning in early childhood programs, in libraries, museums, and other informal education settings, and at home with parents.<\/p>\n Children under age 2 should be using media with an adult.<\/p>\n Kids need to dig in the dirt, experience the natural world, and read actual books. Technology should be used to enhance what\u2019s already going on in kids\u2019 lives and in their classrooms, not supplant it.<\/p>\n Learning is most likely to occur when children are having warm, language-rich interaction with their adult caregivers. When using media with children, parents and educators should always ask themselves whether this kind of interaction is also happening.<\/p>\n Developmental psychologists tell us that creative play helps children learn to understand themselves and other people, and the world and their place in it. With children exposed to digital tools at younger ages, parents and caregivers need to ensure that digital tools enhance and don\u2019t detract from this critical creative exploration.<\/p>\n Diversity means more than just race or gender. Adults should be choosing media for their children that show characters who act, talk, and communicate in a diverse ways and whose lives reflect their real experiences.<\/p>\n Parents should pay attention to what\u2019s going on in the home and family while the child is using media. Media scholar Daniel Anderson says having a television on in the background can interfere with babies\u2019 and toddlers\u2019 natural play. \u201cThe TV sports program may distract the child from constructive toy play,\u201d he writes. \u201cThe parent updating Facebook may be unresponsive to the child\u2019s social bids, and the teen game player is unavailable to read to his younger sibling.\u201d<\/p>\n Luckily there are many places to turn, such as Common Sense Media<\/a>, which has online ratings and reviews for parents and educators, as well as app-organizing systems like Yogi Play<\/a> that prod parents and educators to become critical thinkers about how to use and choose digital media for young children.<\/p>\n Finally, parents might consider exploring K12\u2019s rich selection of educational games and activities<\/a> and mobile apps<\/a> as well as our new Pre-K learning program<\/a> to find out how children can benefit from these innovative learning tools.<\/p>\nMedia can help young children learn.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Media should be used in developmentally appropriate ways.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t insert technology when a real-world experience will do.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Time with adults still matters most.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Promote Creativity. <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Diversity matters.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Pay attention to context.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Seek guidance from experts.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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