Sometimes I think technology has the potential to ruin our kids. Yes, it does help them become more efficient in this fast paced world (Kind of scary because who knows what the world will be like in 20 years or 50 years. ). I'll bet people have felt this way about progress and the unknown future for generations.
My opinion is that kids are forced to enter the adult world too quickly in lots of different ways. Once you have the electric bill and taxes to pay, don't you long for the lost opportunity to skip and sing in a new pair of sneakers or find animal shapes in fluffy clouds?
Simple things like a piece of scrap paper and a pencil or crayon to play a game of tic tac toe have been swept under the technology rug for video games and computer games.
I have a love/hate relationship with the computer.
I HATE THE COMPUTER...I hate that my 1st grader's reading experience involves how many times he can read an on line book that will keep track of his frequentness and report back to his teacher!! What happened to taking a library book or a book from home and actually experiencing the sensational wholeness of reading for real? The smell of the pages, the feel of the book in your fingers as you turn each page in anticipation of the next sentence and illustration. Sure you can take your on line book with you if you have a lap top; but that can't match the pleasure of tucking a well loved book under your arm to then go settle in on the sofa under a warm quilt or lie upon a sheet under a shade tree on a hot summer afternoon. Call me old fashion if you must. I've said my peace.
I LOVE THE COMPUTER...I love that I have the opportunity to ramble on like this and make connections with so many people- family, friends old and new!!
In conclusion after ranting and raving; I think life in the world of technology is all about balance. Do you agree?
I just got home from Washington and read through my 31 email messages, wrote this post and now I am off to bed. A busy day awaits me tomorrow!!
I haven't seen my kids since Sunday at bedtime (they were asleep when I got home tonight), so they will be excited to have Mommy time again tomorrow!
N. will want to finish the last few chapters of Wayside School Is Falling Down (in actual book form) while we sit on the sofa under a quilt and then maybe we will play some tic tac toe!!
