Esi, I am really glad you asked this question. I think there is still alot of confusion, and mixed messages in the field about tech use with young children, so appreciate Karen, Ayana and Heather's replies mentioning research based guidance-there is benefit for children under 18 months to videochat, when it is an interactive experience. NAEYC has links to information/guidance on their
website on this topic, and recently learned about the short. free (bi-lingual English and Spanish) resource
Living and Learning Well: A grown-ups guide to using technology with young children for parents from
@Chip Donohue, which also includes suggestions for birth-2 years.
As Karen mentions in her article, have found having a basket of materials prepared is really helpful. In addition to some favorite books (my grandchild is a toddler- some of her favorite books are lift the flap books, like "Where is Maisy" which has questions/suspense built in), have some games based on her interests, and only recently have started looking at/playing instruments. Would be fun to hear how others integrate music/singing.
Anna-loved hearing about your read-alouds with your 6 year old grandson three times per week! What a great way to join in the bedtime routine that is so valuable for both.Will keep your ideas in mind as my grand child grows up!
As we exchange ideas, we can learn new tricks for our own use, and perhaps can share suggestions with families we work with to consider how to use these tools in enriching ways...
(since my grandchild is interested in different kinds of balls and in counting/numbers, keep these in the basket of materials, for counting and discussions-examining and looking more closely at the different kinds of balls/objects.)
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Bonnie Blagojevic
Morningtown Consulting
Orono ME
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-26-2019 06:33 AM
From: Bonnie Blagojevic
Subject: Video Visits- Grandparents/Parents using videochat for Reading/Playing
Increasingly, family members are using videochats to stay in touch with loved ones and build/maintain relationships. Thought it might be fun/educational to share stories of activities and experiences-how are you using videochat to stay in touch-play and learn with a young family member?
Do you read together over videochat? Discovered that using an inexpensive adjustable stand to hold the iPad/device is helpful, so hands are free to show/share a story, or play.
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Bonnie Blagojevic
Morningtown Consulting
Orono ME
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