When I started this blog I really wanted to focus on technology and how this would impact parenting. I then took a different path with Rick and Lucilla and we began writing about our parenting journeys and activities.
I see how technology is used in ways where it improves our lives and other ways where some people are completely immersed with their gadgets. All of the gadgets and tech tools drain them from precious moments which will not return.
As a parent first and technologist second, I try to find that healthy balance. I want my daughter to embrace technology but be very in touch with her surroundings.
Thinking back, I would have never had the chance to play with an iPad when I was a few months old. My daughter is 2 ½ years old and is already used to playing and using iOS Devices on her own.
When she is not using the iPad, she helps with chores around the house, cooking, and working with her mom to learn all sorts of life skills.
A Healthy Blend
Just a few days ago while we visited Costco, my daughter was amazed by an Earth Globe. She was first amazed by the fact that she could spin it around and it was similar to a ball. After discussing this with my partner, we decided to buy it for the house.
After allowing her to get familiar with the spinning functionality, I decided to mix some of the things she already knows. She has these little toy animals that sometimes accompany us on our trips to the store. I decided to identify for her their geographical location on the globe.
Since one of her favorite movies is Happy Feet, I started with Penguins. I taught her that Penguins are in Antartica and pointed to the southern part of the globe where it is located. I proceeded to mention some of the Lion King characters and showing her that Lions like Simba are in Africa. I did this for a while and she quickly caught on.
Implementing Video
My next step was finding a way where we could zoom into the location and see the terrain I was pointing too on the globe. So I headed over to Youtube and started showing her videos of the geographic location I was pointing too. To keep her interested I made sure it included animals.
Creating a more visual reference for her helped greatly and the biggest payout was her seeing the glaciers and making the conclusion that Antartica was cold because penguins live near ice.
Her First International Video Conference
I also had a video conference call with my friends AJ Leon and Melissa Leon in Africa and my daughter climbed on my lap. I embraced the situation and thought it would be cool if she could get a glimpse of my favorite people streaming video from Africa.
Shortly after, it made me think of how difficult it would have been for my parents when I was kid to get me real-time video calls to converse with someone in another part of the world.
Incorporating manipulative and technological objects
We blended some physical objects (small animal figurines), animal cartoons, an earth globe, Youtube videos, and one International video conference call so she could understand people and animals live in different parts of our planet.
We can use all types of tools to enhance the learning experiences of our children and even our own individual experiences.
My main purpose will be to keep my daughter’s curious brain asking for more and making sure what she learns now will help her building upon her next stages.
How do you blend technology, education, and the real world?