A great insight into many Waldorf parent's decision to hold off or minimize technology in their household for their children. It does not mean they do not use it. It means they make a choice on what to expose their child to whose capacities are still developing.
http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/tech-gets-a-time-out
This approach honors childhood and does not look at the children as mini-me.
Technology = richer expansive life
Facebook facilitates communication on an everyday level to family and friends across the world. It has also made our life more complex, perhaps even our knowledge, while expanded, a bit swallow. And whether or not a Waldorf parent, parents across this nation need to manage and monitor their child's internet action.
Parents need to be informed and think
I don't like being told that my child needs technology! Equally I don't like to be told that my child should not have technology. I think if parents think about the issue, truely think, and read, and listen to their own intuition - they will be able to come up with a decision that fits their family. And as the sands change so should their decision as their children develop.
Myth #1- No technology will hurt the child
One pet peeve of mine is people thinking that kids will be left behind if they are not introduced to technology in the womb. Well okay, maybe not that early, but kindergarden. Bullshit. And shame on you to think such. Did the inventor of technology have computers when they grew up? No. I did not have technology when I grew up in the 70s and 80s. Yet I can use a computer, go to the computer store and know about the components, pitch high tech, such as USB 3.0 and achieve results of being published, download pictures/music, research, social media saavy, video usability plus download, upload & reformat, print envelopes (this is actually fairly difficult - resulting in crying as jams and problems, usually a deadline for Chirstmas cards) - well you get the point. If a num-skull like me can do this with mud pie, collecting lady bugs, climbing trees, riding my bike kind of training - well you get the point. Another question - did you have computer training while growing up? Are you able to use the computer?
This throw kids tons of tech so they wont be left behind does drive me crazy. What about the fact that technology changes so fast that what they learn will be OBSOLUTE?! Then there is the thought that they can build on what they learned. Seriously?! To push a button to turn it on? Oh ya let's remember the rocket science needed in typing in what you need to research. Heck you don't even need to click on the magnifiy glass, just click enter.
Ya know I would be okay if they taught typing because I cringe when I watch my daughter on the keyboard. And I have never known anyone to get addicted to a typewriter. The only thing that hinders my technology advancement is my moods. Sometimes I don't want to know anything about technology, or sometimes my drive or focus is not there. I'd rather be in the garden.
What's your thoughts? Computers as Mobiles? Plugged-in kids in front of the TV? What age?
